We’ve all had an occasional travel headache; some of us have even had some serious travel nightmares. One thing is certain: nothing that derails your travels is welcomed with open arms. But with a different perspective – and perhaps some anecdotes from those who have been there, it’s possible to turn that negative scenario into an opportunity.
The folks at Fathom (who are seriously in-the-know and have the best travel tips and stories – plus we just adore what they have to say) capture author Amy Spencer’s ideas on just how to stay cool when all hell breaks loose:
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You’ve been robbed. Passport, money, clothes: gone. Now what?
After you’ve dealt with the logistics of replacing your passport, calling your credit card company, and locating cash, deal with how you feel. Because the last thing you want is for some crook’s selfish act to ruin your entire vacation. Start by asking yourself, “What didn’t I lose?” The camera around your neck? The favorite shirt on your back? The train reservation to the next stop along your trip? You didn’t lose your ability to stroll through the city’s central park for free on your final day in town.
My friend and I were halfway into a month-long, cross-country road trip when our car was broken into and all our clothes were stolen. At first I was angry about what I’d lost. But then a funny thing happened: I felt liberated carrying little more than the clothes on my back. After all, we still had our car, each other, and a few weeks left on the open road.
Once you’ve stomped out your anger, focus on your health and your attitude, and have fun with what you have left. Don’t let a thief steal that from you, too.
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The guy sitting next to you keeps pushing your elbow off the armrest and taking it all for himself. WTF?
Annoying strangers have a way of ruining our good mood, don’t they? You could elbow him right back to confirm your stance in what will be an unyielding battle for the duration of the flight, but I recommend this instead: Let him have it. Yes, it’s the principle of the thing when a stranger hogs your space or cuts in line, but when you get too focused on the bad behavior of the people around you, you don’t have any mental room left to enjoy the good stuff. Sit back and let them pass — sometimes literally.
That’s one of the things I appreciated most about driving in Ireland on small, winding, two-lane roads: If one car wanted to drive faster than another, the front car would simply pull over, let the faster driver pass, then calmly pull back onto the road. It’s so much more civilized than taunting a tailgater with brake lights in a battle for lane supremacy. When people encroach on your personal space, step back, make a quick exit, wait for them to pass. You’ll have the space to yourself once again.
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You accidentally booked a seat on the local train instead of the express, which will add two hours to your trip, and now you can’t change it.
If you’re on the slower train, download a two-hour movie to distract you. Buy a cheap pillow so you can nap and arrive refreshed. Use the time to research the perfect lunch spot. Ask a local for must-do suggestions upon arriving at your destination.
Be your own travel lifeguard: Don’t fight the current and tire yourself out — float with it. Take, for example, the setback I share in Bright Side Up about what happened when journalist (and fab FATHOM contributor) Mark Ellwood woke up realizing he’d set his alarm for p.m. instead of a.m. and missed his plane home for Christmas. He immediately booked a later flight for an additional fee of $1,000. Yeah, ouch. But he asked to be upgraded to business class and made the best of his situation: He drank free cocktails, ate fine food, and settled in for a comfortable overnight rest.
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Your hotel overbooked, and the new place reserved for you is across from a 24-hour disco with a view of a parking lot. Sanity? At a moment like this?
Sure, it stinks when something goes wrong. But when three things go wrong, you’ve got the makings of a really funny story. In fact, the worse it gets, the funnier it will be, so start making a list of all that’s gone wrong and begin to imagine how you’ll tell your hilarious story later.
When I went to Cuba with a friend who’d been before and assured me we could absolutely, positively use our U.S. credit cards while we were away, we’d already spent most of our cash on our guest room, music, and mojitos before realizing we had three days left and only $20 between us. The worse it got, the funnier it was — from failed trips to four banks and a Western Union to the two-mile walk to a part of town where mini-sandwiches cost fifty cents instead of a dollar. On our last night in Old Havana we split one beer and a Cuban cigar on a park bench and listened to music in the distance. We laughed as we recounted the details of our most memorable trip.
Excerpts from “Help! I’m in travel hell.” Read more here.
I just moved from Seattle to San Francisco and while it’s been amazing to actually see – and feel – the sun in February for the first time in years, what I’ve loved the most is exploring. There have been a lot of strap-on-your-boots and walk around experiences, but the places that stand out are the ones recommended by locals and recent transplants alike. Shopping is a favorite activity, but the food & drink around here are worth a share. I’ll be trying and tasting things all around my fine new city and will share what I find, but here are a few to get started:
Lucca Delicatessen (Marina)
This teensy deli and grocery on Chestnut Street in the Marina is worth the crowds. Take a number and wait to order one of their pre-made specialties or a make-your-own sandwich. Not feeling a sandwich? Try the handmade ravioli, famous pasta salad or any number of other things from the cooler. This place also doubles as an Italian shop of goodies, so you can pick up fantastic biscotti, Italian sodas and more. Tip: Order your sandwich on the Dutch Crunch bread – trust me, it’s delish.
Zarzuela (Nob Hill / Russian Hill)
On the corner of Hyde and Union in Russian Hill is a small yellow-awning tapas place. While the service could be better (it takes a bit to get your requested water refills and pitchers of sangria are never poured for you, just left at the edge of your table) the food is great and fairly inexpensive. Try the mussels, squid, paella, baked goat cheese. Heck, try anything. It’s all good. And you’re in luck if it’s someone’s birthday – the owner comes out and sings in Spanish to the enjoyment of all diners.
Park Tavern (North Beach)
Located across from Washington Square Park, Park Tavern is a new spot in North Beach. You will find the sorority and fraternity crowds mixed in with power couples wearing all black, but the energy is palpable and there are some standout items on the menu. Aim for the communal table in the bar and order the Brussels Sprout Chips (also found at SOMA sister restaurant Marlowe), Deviled Eggs and Beef Tartare.
Philz Coffee (Lots of places)
Coming from Seattle, my bar for good coffee is set pretty (ok – very) high. But after a recommendation from one of my new San Francisco colleagues, plus the fact that the SOMA location is right outside my door, I tried Philz. Specializing in “customized blends of different beans from around the world,” they hand-brew your coffee and even sweeten it to your liking. And this coffee snob likes it. A lot.
Burma Superstar (Inner Richmond)
I’ve been reading about this place since we first learned about the move. Consistently near the top of the Best-of-SF restaurant lists, we went to Burma Superstar for my birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. The restaurant does not take reservations, so the wait can last a few hours. The trick is to get there early when they open (5PM). If you arrive later, put your name on lists for both Burma Superstar and it’s little brother next door, BStar Bar, and wait for the call. When you go, and you should, try the Burmese Style Beef Curry and order a side of the coconut lime rice.
Mitchell’s (Noe Valley)
When we posted to Facebook about our location at Mitchell’s Ice Cream, our friend quickly commented “damn good ice cream.” And that’s no joke. Yes, we waited for 45 minutes after taking a number. But with our spoons and a couple of double scoops in hand – White Pistachio + Cinnamon Snap and Mexican Chocolate + Espresso Toffee Crunch – we decided it was worth the wait. Go for the delicous and varied flavors and make sure to go with friends or a deck of cards to pass the time. If that fails, grab a number and head to the bar around the corner to wait it out.
Living Room Bar – The W San Francisco (Downtown)
The W is a fixture on the San Francisco event hotel list, but if you haven’t tried the bar yet, you are missing out. Scratch that, if you haven’t tried a drink by Bartender Ryan, you are missing out. Ever on the quest for the best Old Fashioned, my bearded man tried Ryan’s when he was in town for business (pre-move) and instantly claimed it the best he’s ever had. The secret is in the muddled brandied cherries. Not the biggest fan of dark liquors, I tried a couple of Ryan’s other drinks and thoroughly enjoyed them. Go see him – you won’t be disappointed.
Thirsty Bear Brewing Co. (Downtown)
I checked this out with a group of my new colleagues last week and was thrilled to find a brewery that not only served quite a range of beer options, but really outstanding food (try the Tocino Flatbread and the Empanadas de Pollo). Worth a try: the Golden Vanilla beer was one of the best pints I’ve had. I also hear the Sunday night flamenco dancing is not to be missed.
Quick hits on my neighborhood’s must-try list:
Have you heard of Kitchit? Let me introduce it (I’m so excited to do so) by showing this very simple graphic:
Select one of San Francisco’s hottest chefs – geniuses at Saison, Jardinière, Napa’s The Restaurant at Meadowood (this chef has three Michelin stars), to name a few – then have them cook an unforgettable dinner party in your home, your beach house, your ski chalet. Group events or small intimate dinners, this is a one-stop-shop that, literally, brings a professional kitchen to you.
Some of the options coming up have us drooling …
- “Enjoy a resolution-friendly dinner with family or friends with Chef Kirsten Goldberg: Kirsten will keep the cheer going well into the new year, but with a menu that focuses on fresh, light (and still delicious) food.”
- “Surprise your valentine with a romantic meal by Chef Ryan Baker: Ryan’s unique, elegant, and innovative food — not to mention attentive service and eye for detail — will make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.
Launched on September 29th, Kitchit “connects a trusted network of professional chefs with people who want to have amazing, unique dining experiences.” This would be an awesome approach for an intimate salon dinner, a relationship-building evening or even an upscale client event.
Consider this: “You can find a chef who will turn your backyard into a barbecue pit, or one who will turn your home into a Michelin-starred restaurant, and anything in between.” Now consider this: costs are tailored to the dining needs and can be as low (lower?) than $30 per person.
Sold yet?
The official start of winter is just around the corner, but for those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest (even me, the soon-to-be-SF dweller), the seasons don’t always start and end when they should. And it’s not all that rare to see warmer temps during the winter months and downright chilly temps in the summer. Lest we get confused, a trip to San Francisco’s AQ or New York’s Park Avenue will set us right.
Born of the desire to pay respect to the seasons, both restaurants change menus, décor and even ambiance to meet the transition of seasons.
AQ
“As Quoted”
AQ, spurred by the owner’s impassioned Kickstarter video, is a startup restaurant dedicated to seasonal fare and the idea of common-table community. The restaurant’s location is not the most desirable, but once guests enter, the ambiance – be it winter, spring summer or fall – is enough to make them forget what’s outside.
Private dining options are available as well. Custom tasting menus for a smaller party, the space for a cocktail-style event or the right approach to a formal dinner, AQ offers two event spaces in the Cellar Room and Whiskey Room as well as full restaurant buyout options.
Park Avenue
A few thousand miles to the East is NYC dining stalwart, Park Avenue. Now in its full winter garb, Park Avenue blends tones of white with rustic, natural elements. Park Avenue takes a slightly different approach to its design than AQ, focusing on “a sense of discovery, rather than stereotypical physical manifestations of a ‘season.’”
Private dining is available in three forms: a home-like setting within the adjoining Townhouse; a private version of the larger restaurant in the Archive Room; and an intimate spot at the Kitchen Table that puts guests in the center of all the action.
We’ve already enjoyed Park Avenue a few times and are excited to add AQ to our must-visit list – during all 4 seasons.
It’s fairly easy to spot tourists. Cameras in hand, maps in front pockets, well-loved walking shoes. We hear all the time of vendors taking advantage of tourists and have all likely paid a premium for the had-to-have Mickey Mouse magnet, that hamburger at the zoo or even the taxi ride from the airport to your hotel. None of us want to be taken advantage of, but as a business traveller, it’s even more slippery.
Many vendors assume (often correctly) that business travellers are paying from an expense account and won’t notice an extra $5 or $10 tacked on to their bill. This is likely true (shame!), but can be largely prevented by doing a bit of local role playing. Acting like you know the city you’re visiting and playing the calm and collected traveller may help you avoid the tourist treatment. Consider packing along these tips next time you are travelling – for business or pleasure:
- Pack smart. Start this step at home and focus on packing for the scenarios you’ll need to manage. Hopping off the plane and headed right into a business meeting? Make sure your laptop is easily accessible. Juggling your suitcase, laptop bag, purse, cell phone and latte is a sure way to not only feel mixed up but to show the world that you’re – literally – juggling too many balls to focus properly.
- Cash, cash, cash. Cabs in most smaller cities as well as larger metros like DC do not take credit card. The majority of cars are privately owned and the owners do not have the overhead to pay for the credit card machine fees. Need a cup of coffee? It’s quicker – and often safer since credit card fraud and identity theft and rampant – to pull out your five-dollar bill.
- Currency. If you are travelling to a foreign country, the general rule of thumb is to exchange your currency in your destination country. The only downside of this is arriving after business hours or on a holiday when banks are closed. Most major airports feature a currency exchange desk, but the rates from banks are almost always lower. And be sure to check out money travel tips before you go – like this one, courtesy of Rick Steves.
- Be your own GPS. Getting into a cab without knowing exactly where you are going is an easy way for a 4-mile trip to turn into a $50 fare. We don’t mean that you have to give the cabbie turn by turn instructions, but have a general idea of the direction of your destination as well as some major thoroughfares. If you are feeling confident, get into the car and tell the cabbie “I5 to the 110 to the 405” – you can fake this with the best actors. But your cabbie won’t have any idea.
- Research. Be sure to do your homework. Know the habits and customs of the city you are visiting (especially if you are traveling abroad) and be prepared. Nothing makes travel more stressful realizing the hard way that you should have done your research.
How do you prevent the tourist treatment when you travel?
Give us a new restaurant, an up-and-coming chef, a menu to plan and we’re all over it. It’s not just part of our job – it’s something we love to do. So imagine our glee when we saw BizBash’s look at the big catering trends of 2011.
Not surprisingly, BizBash is calling “customization” and “interactivity” the current catering buzzwords. We’ve seen these themes play out for a little while (we even wrote about them here and here), and they’ll be sticking around for some time, but the offerings just keep getting better. No longer is the bar set at make-your-own sundaes with 17 topping options or popcorn stations with an army of salts, spices and drizzled sauces. Instead, it’s mixology stations to channel your inner bartender, entrees spiced to your liking as you play sous chef.
It’s about giving your guests – food-obsessed or not – the chance to try something new, get their hands dirty, share an experience with their fellow event-mates. Consider one of the following ideas for your next event:
Always fans of the folks at Creative Edge Parties, we’re really digging their cut-your-own pasta station with hanging sheets of handmade pasta in different flavors and bowls of sauces so guests can choose their own custom combinations.
Self-proclaimed s’more addicts right here. We’re definitely digging this s’more-making station. (Slide 2)
Popsicles sprayed with alcohol? This has the potential to be dangerous. (Slide 14)
Displays with some character: forget a salt dish, use cactus instead. (Slide 16)
Be sure to check out the slideshow in all its glory. We can’t wait to plan an event with interesting fun food presentation - or even better, go to an event where the food is this enticing!
Budgets are always in flux, but in times of financial stress, we often see companies cut down on budgets related to physical events. Be it a shorter agenda, fewer in-demand speakers or fewer staff, cutting budgets often means cutting corners. However, with lower budgets increasingly becoming the norm, our clients are looking for ways to save money and still deliver on their marketing goals. Cue: virtual events. These are nothing new. Take Second Life for example. Microsoft and other companies used this medium for candidate interviews a couple years back and it’s still a thriving community of skill-sharing, promotions and imagination.
A couple of weeks ago, the webcasting and virtual event folks at ON24 released the results of research conducted with MarketingProfs about these virtual events and the attendee experiences. The results, published in the report, “’The Practicalities of Virtual Events,’ [look] into the current state of virtual events from both producer and attendee perspectives and [illustrate] how virtual events are currently being used, funded and measured – as well as where they excel and fall short, and how they are evolving.”
The data found that, rather than full-scale virtual events, successful events offered a two-pronged approach: live learning and engaging experiences with a complementary virtual agenda. Whether the event is all or partially virtual, the team found four key benefits:
- Attracting larger and more varied audiences. The challenge with live event attendance sits primarily with two elements: timing conflicts and cost. Virtual events allow attendees to follow along in real-time or tune in via playback at a later date or time, and without the cost of air travel or hotel. Tuning in from the comfort of your office or living room is much more cost effective.
- Attracting bigger keynote speakers. No longer do you have to schedule your keynote times around your speaker’s schedule. Virtual keynotes or presentations give your speakers the ability to record presentations any time before the event, preventing them from having to interrupt other engagements or travel to show locations.
- Offering broader content and more niche content. Couldn’t create a specific track of meetings because you didn’t have the space to host them? That won’t apply with virtual events – there is really no limit to the amount of content that can be offered. Without onsite costs, too, there is greater ability to offer not only a greater quantity of sessions, but more diversity in topics.
- Monitoring attendee engagement: It’s a little bit more scientific then counting passes at the entry. Virtual events provide the ability to track audience attendance for specific sessions, assess how many presentations are downloaded, and have all of this available immediately for quick analysis.
Our clients have offered streaming keynotes, downloadable session content and more for a while. And according to the study results, this blended approach is key: more than three-fourths of survey respondents noted that they will still attend live conferences and shows as planned. It’s simply an extra benefit to experience the event during the day and then tune in to re-watch the keynote or download the press release from the comfort of an onsite hotel room.
Read more here.
The perfect little nook for reading and relaxing. Wouldn’t this be a fun addition to an otherwise busy and stimulating event?
Found via the decorating, style and event fun that is Decoratrix.
Labor Day means a lot of different things: the beginning of football season, the time to pull our boots out from under the bed, the end of summer. It also has some of us wishing to go back in time to the beginning of summer again! Let’s pretend for a second that we’re looking at three months of warm, sunny days ahead of us – back to one amazing three-day extravaganza put on by Baume & Mercier.
Baume & Mercier threw an elaborate bash over Memorial Day weekend 2011 to introduce its newest line of luxury timepieces. Elaborate may be a bit of an understatement.
This is the type of event we dream of planning – every experience customized, a number of outside-of-the-box elements, consistent brand representation from the moment the guests step off the plane to the moment they board the plane to go home. One entire transformative weekend. Oh, and a sky-high budget never hurts.
Upon arrival, guests were escorted to a VIP lounge near JFK airport where they received massages and fresh smoothies while waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. As soon as the entire group had landed, they were ferried on a luxury cruise to the Montauk Yacht Club, their accommodations for the event. From there, Baume & Mercier’s “Life is all about moments” tagline continued to drive the experience: painting classes and other activities specific to the area to evoke the region’s rich history, intimate talks from some of Montauk’s most renowned guests, even a group meeting with the CEO to discuss in detail the company’s rebranding approach.
Every detail, from the branded windbreakers to the dinner table décor, was planned down to the most minute detail. The company made every effort to deliver an experience that that was designed to be “authentic but also inspiring” and anchor the brand to the Hamptons. For the attending group of 103 journalists from 20 countries, it looked like a grand success.
This story is best told in pictures – take a look here for more. Doesn’t this make you want to hit rewind on the summer?
Old-time jazz, a gimlet, flappers … consider us sold. We’re big fans of the throwback style. We’ve talked about speakeasies and the Governors Island Jazz-Age Lawn Party aplenty, but it just keeps getting better. More and more, people are flocking to events that feature a feel of the 30’s and 40’s.
The old-fashioned theme that serves as the undercurrent to both of these is really quite fascinating; we’re seeing and experiencing it continue to refresh in new ways…
Read more over here.
