ABINGDON ON THAMES – November 19, 2023.

The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic landmark and a must-visit for any traveller to San Francisco. My first visit to the bridge was in July 2012 and I have to say it was very underwhelming as I actually didn’t see the whole of it due to the famous San Francisco fog.

 

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the U.S. city of San Francisco, California and the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. It also carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and is designated as part of U.S. Bicycle Route 95.

01. Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.

The Welcome Center is on the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate Bridge. This is by far the most popluar point to view the bridge. It’s the view you see many holiday brochures.

From here you’ll get spectacular views of the bridge from a number of different angles. My favourite view is from the cycle path that leads up to the Welcome Center.

From the Welcome Center you can also cycle or walk across the bridge to Vista Point North which affords great views of the bridge, the Pacific coastline and downtown San Francisco.

Here you’ll find a café, gift shop and restrooms.

The Welcome Center is also accessible by public transit. You can take Golden Gate Transit bus routes 101, 130, or 150 from San Francisco to the northbound Toll Plaza bus stop. From there, it is a short walk to the Welcome Center.

I have also cycled from Fishmans Wharf, San Francisco and on the last occasin I was there, I took an Uber to catch the early morning sunshine.

02. Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point North.

This is a vantage point offering stunning views of the surrounding city, bay, and the iconic bridge. It is located on the north side of the bridge in Sausalito, California. There is a parking lot and restrooms available. There are two vista points for the Golden Gate Bridge: one in the north and one in the south.

The north vista point is officially called the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point, while the south vista point is called the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South. My first picture of the Golden Gate in fog was taken from Vista Point South.

03. Battery Spencer at the Golden Gate Bridge.

This  is a 19th-century concrete battery featuring panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. In my view, this is by far the best view of the bridge.

Battery Spencer sits at the bottom of the Marin Headlands, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is a vast expanse of rolling hills directly north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Head left on Conzelman Road, and the vistas abound. Literally anywhere you see cars parked, stop. The view is going to be amazing. Hawk Hill, the end of the two-lane part of Conzelman is a perfect place to see the Golden Gate Bridge framed against the entire city of San Francisco in the background.

Be warned though that the Headlands are extremely popular so it may be hard to find parking. You can, however, take the 76X bus which runs along Conzelman Road from San Francisco on the weekends.

04. Golden Gate Bay Cruise.

A Golden Gate Bay cruise is a must-do for any visitor to San Francisco. It is an excellent way to see the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco skyline from a unique perspective. I did this for the very first time in September 2023 with Red And White Fleet and throughly enjoyed it.

There are many different cruise companies to choose from, each offering a variety of options, such as one-hour cruises, sunset cruises, and dinner cruises.

When to Go.

The best time to visit the Golden Gate Bridge is during the day when you can enjoy the views and take photos. However, the bridge is also beautiful at night when it is lit up. If you’re planning on hiking or biking across the bridge, be sure to go early in the morning before the traffic gets too heavy.

What to Do.

There are many ways to experience the Golden Gate Bridge. You can walk or bike across the bridge, take a ferry ride under the bridge, or hike to one of the many viewpoints for stunning views. There are also several museums and visitor centers dedicated to the bridge’s history and construction.

Where to Park.

There is limited parking at the Golden Gate Bridge, so it is best to take public transportation or park at a nearby lot and walk to the bridge. There are several parking lots near the bridge, including the Vista Point parking lot and the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center parking lot.

What to Bring.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking. Bring sunscreen and a hat, as it can be sunny and windy at the bridge. If you are planning on taking photos, be sure to bring your camera and tripod.

Here are some additional tips for visiting the Golden Gate Bridge:

• Arrive early to avoid crowds.
• Be prepared for wind and fog.
• Check the weather forecast before you go.
• Bring your own food and drinks, as there are limited options at the bridge.
• Be respectful of other visitors and take your trash with you.

Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge is a truly unforgettable experience. With a little planning, you can make the most of your visit and enjoy this iconic landmark.

ABINGDON ON THAMES – November 10, 2023.

Every time I visit San Francisco I also take time out to escape for a day to the picturesque landscapes of Sonoma and Napa Valley where unforgettable wine tasting experiences abound. I like nothing better than Immersing myself in the region’s renowned vineyards whilst uncovering the rich flavours of the local wines.

I’ll cut straight to the chase here and say there’s three ways to discover the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa Valley, most of which lie an hours drive to the East of San Francisco. And if you choose to drive, well then there’s the added bonus of being able to go across the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was back in November 2015 when I took my first trip to wine country and it was part of an organised trip on a coach from San Francisco. It was expensive (Over $120 plus tasting fees) and yes there was the obligatory stop at the Golden Gate Bridge for pictures followed by tasting at five wineries starting at 09:30, but what that trip did was set me up for the future in discovering wine and wineries I liked. If like me you’re a solo traveller than this is for you and avoids the dreaded ‘Drink & Drive’ Scenario.

What that trip did do was give me the inspiration to revisit some of those wineries again on future trips merely to pick up wine I had already tasted and to stock up my cellar at home! If you know what you want and like and are prepared to do some research prior to arrival then this is the trip for you. This is a cheaper option as last time I did this in January 2023 car hire was around $50 for the day. And of course if there’s more than one of you, then the other members of your group can still enjoy wine tasting!

At this point it is worth pointing out that many vineyards charge for tasting with prices starting as low as $12. For that you get to sample four or five wines. In terms of vineyards, these are my three go to wineries all of which are within a mile of each other.

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards was founded in 2005 by Fred and Nancy Cline as an homage to Fred’s grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi, who invented the namesake spa pump.

The winery is located on a 18,000-square-foot Tuscan-style property that was modelled on the Jacuzzi family’s ancestral home in Italy.

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards offers a variety of Italian style wines, including Teroldego, Barbera, Moscato, Arneis, and Pinot Grigio.

The winery also offers a variety of wine tasting experiences, including a Wine & Food Pairing experience and a Vineyard Views experience.

Cline Family Cellars.

Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned and operated winery located in Sonoma, California. They specialize in Zinfandels, Rhône-style wines, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Here are some of the wines that they offer:

• Seven Ranchlands Chardonnay
• J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon
• Seven Ranchlands Pinot Gris
• Seven Ranchlands Gewürztraminer
• Seven Ranchlands Sauvignon Blanc
• Seven Ranchlands Marsanne Roussanne
• Grenache Gris
• Mourvedre Rose
• Seven Ranchlands Pinot Noir
• Seven Ranchlands Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cashmere Red
• Cashmere Black
• Ancient Vines Zinfandel
• Ancient Vines Carignane
• Ancient Vines Mourvedre
• Fog Swept Pinot Noir
• Eight Spur Zinfandel
• Rock Carved Cabernet Sauvignon
• Late Harvest Mourvèdre
• Bridgehead Zinfandel

They also offer a variety of wine tasting experiences, including a Wine & Food Pairing experience and a Vineyard Views experience.

Larson Family Vineyard/

• Larson Family Winery is a family-owned and operated winery in the Carneros region of Sonoma County. The winery was founded in 1997 by the Larson family.
• Larson Family Winery is known for their Pinot Noir wines.
• The winery also offers a variety of other wines, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Larson Family Winery is committed to sustainable viticulture and winemaking practices.

Here are some of the wines that they offer:

• Pinot Noir
• Sparkling Brut
• Sparkling Rosé

They also offer a variety of wine tasting experiences, including a Vineyard View Experience.

And finally the third way to go wine tasting in Sonoma and Napa Valley was a recent discovery from September 2023. As mentioned and as a solo traveller I cannot ‘Drink & Drive’ which lead me to think was there anywhere closer to San Francisco and accessible via public transport to taste wine. After a lot of research I discovered Bacchus & Venus, a wine tasting room in Sausalito. This coastal town is nestled under the East side of the Golden Gate Bridge so is an easy Uber ride from San Francisco or in my case I took took the ferry from San Francisco to Sausalito which takes around 40 minutes.

Bacchus & Venus.

Bacchus & Venus is a chic wine retailer offering a tasting room & an art gallery displaying regionally themed works. It costs $20 per tasting for which you get four wines.

• “Great selection of California wines and a knowledgeable staff who can help you find the perfect bottle.”
• “The tasting room is a great place to try new wines and learn about different regions.”
• “The art gallery is a nice bonus, and the views of the San Francisco Bay are amazing.“

If you are looking for a great place to buy wine or learn more about California wines, I highly recommend Bacchus & Venus as I brought three bottles of one – of a – kind Californian wine after tasting.

So there you have it. Happy tasting and feel free to reach out with any questions.

ABINGDON ON THAMES – November 10, 2023.

In this the latest Beyond The Boardwalk blog post, I’m going to explain why Airline and Hotel status is everything in 2023 – and the secret to unlocking travel deals since the COVID 19 Pandemic.

If like me you’re a regular traveller, you might be scratching your head on why cash travel deals are now non existent and everything is so expensive. Take New York where a distinctly average Manhattan hotel can cost upwards of £500 for two nights! Gone are the days of that cheap Boston weekend getaway costing under £500. Or are they?

I recently spent an enjoyable afternoon on a Zoom call with top Los Angeles Travel Concierge and owner of Ask A Concierge, Sarah Dandashy who told me how the sands of travel booking have shifted towards status rather than cash deals. The full podcast and video are coming soon.

So in 2023 status is everything and I can testify to that having been to Los Angeles, New York, Antigua and San Francisco so far this year. In total I have redeemed 80, 000 miles from my Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account along with airline and Government imposed taxes of £280 per trip. And here’s the rub, New York normally needs a redemption of 20, 000 miles but has constantly been on offer this year during various ‘Reward Seat Sales.’ If I had paid cash for all of those flights I’d be looking at spending over £2, 500 based on an ecomomy fare!!!!!

How do you collect airline miles? Well I have the Virgin Atlantic Credit Card which gives me 3/4 of a mile for every £1 spent. I pay for everything I can on the card and make sure that I pay the statement in full at he end of the month to avoid interest. My average household outgoings are around £1000 a month so that means 700 miles a month into my account. On top of that I have brought miles this year on promotional offers. So for example buy 5, 000 miles and get another 5, 000 for free. And when I book travel, it’s via Virgin Atlantic’s Shops Away website where hotels.com currently offer 5 miles for every £1 spent.

Hampton Inn & Suites LAX El Segundo – Pacific Coast Highway.

And the same applies to hotels. I have been a long time member of the hotels,com Rewards Programme. It rewards you with a free night’s stay after you’ve booked 10 nights with them. And those 10 nights don’t have to be consecutive, they’re cumulative – so as you can imagine those free nights soon mount up if you stay for business too. My four night hotel stay in San Francisco cost me £357 but because I paid with my Virgin Atlantic Credit Card and hotels.com had an offer on, I saw a whopping 7,804 miles added to my account.

So why do I choose Virgin Atlantic & hotels.com when there’s thousands of loyalty schemes out there? In simple two words: ‘Brand Loyalty.’ I have travelled with Virgin Atlantic for 29 years and been with hotels.com for 20 years. It’s fair to say that every time there’s been a issue with a booking it’s been resolved with the minimum of fuss.

Here’s two examples of that. This year I travelled to Antiqua on a non refundable, non changeable hotel booking. I was all set to go when Storm Bret hit. One call to hotels.com and the booking was changed to new dates and a refund issued.

And in 1994 I flew to the USA and Florida for the very first time. The return flight was delayed overnight and I ended up in a Hyatt Hotel with food and drink paid for. Little did Sir Richard Branson know that his investment in me then would pay dividends for me flying his Virgin Atlantic airline for three decades!

So happy travelling and feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.

Antigua is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea with a lot to offer visitors. Here are some of the top things to see and do in Antigua:

Relax on the beach: Antigua is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Spend your days swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters. Some of the most popular beaches include:

Pigeon Point.

Dickenson Bay.

Half Moon Bay.

Ffryes Beach.

Long Bay.

Explore Nelson’s Dockyard: This historic dockyard was once a base for the British Royal Navy. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the dockyard’s many buildings, including the Admiral’s House, the Dockyard Museum, and the Antigua & Barbuda Maritime Museum.

Visit Devil’s Bridge: This natural wonder is a large rock formation with a natural archway. Visitors can climb to the top of the bridge for stunning views of the surrounding area.

Go hiking: Antigua has a number of hiking trails that offer stunning views of the island’s natural beauty. Some of the most popular trails include:

Shirley Heights Lookout.

Signal Peak.

Boggy Peak.

Snorkeling and diving: Antigua’s coral reefs are home to a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, turtles, and rays. Visitors can snorkel or dive to see the reefs up close.

Play golf: Antigua is home to a number of world-class golf courses, including the Royal Antigua Golf Club and the Sandals Golf & Country Club.

Learn about the island’s history: Antigua has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. Visitors can learn about the island’s history at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda or at the Shirley Heights Visitor Center.

Enjoy the local cuisine: Antiguan cuisine is a mix of African, Caribbean, and European influences. Visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes, including fresh seafood, jerk chicken, and roti.

These are just a few of the many things to see and do in Antigua. With its beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and rich history, Antigua is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a vacation.

London Heathrow Airport – what’s gone wrong?. The day started badly for me when I turned on the TV to see the Sky News airport package on London Heathrow Airport.

London Heathrow Airport had on Thursday 30th June asked airlines to reduce their schedules as they didn’t have the capacity to cope with all the passengers on booked flights.

I quickly finished packing and arrived at the airport shortly after 11:20 for my 16:30 flight to Los Angeles. I’d reserved a car parking space via one of these third party providers after the airport wanted a stunning £200 to park for eight days parking. Parking was seamless and if I am honest, much easier than using the airport long stay car park.

I had done online check in the night before meaning I just needed to drop my bag and head through security.

Last time I did this in April, the process took around 15 minutes.

The bag drop line was long and took about 20 minutes. Fair play though to Virgin Atlantic who had every single desk open. It’s also a holiday weekend in America that’s probably added to the number of people traveling.

What happened next though was not what I expected. A 90 minute wait for security.

On exiting the check in area, everyone was directed to join one queue which lead to one escalator to the first floor followed by a snaking queue that traversed the entire length of Terminal 3. No way of jumping the line as all the elevators and other escalators had been disabled.

I eventually got to the departure lounge at 13:30. So  what’s gone wrong at London Heathrow Airport? In a nutshell not enough security staff. And getting airside passes processed quickly for new staff.

I worked at the airport from 2018 until 2020 as part of the research team. And from experience I can tell you that gaining an airside pass takes ages – in my case three months.

It’s a complicated process that involves a background security check, proof of employment for the last five years along with utility bills and bank statements to prove who you are. Oh and you need a number of references too.

My pass was rejected twice after the utility bills I submitted failed the check as my application had taken to long to process and the bills were out of date. There’s a three month limit on documents submitted.

Unlike many airports here in the US that are run by local authorities, London Heathrow Airport is a commercial business and as such is focussed on making profits and then distributing the profits as dividends to its share holders.

Staffing is a huge cost to the airport which they dramatically reduced during Covid 19. Now they are struggling to recruit and verify those new staff for airside passes.

One major airline at the airport has 112 staff ready to go post Covid 19 but can’t get airside passes processed quickly enough.

Sp brace yourself if you’re traveling this summer from London Heathrow Airport.

Today I am off to Gibraltar which is on the UK’s ‘Green List’ for travel during the Covid 19 pandemic. It’s 16 months since I set foot on a plane.

Little did I know that when I landed from New York in February, 2020, I would be grounded for this long. Trust me there were times in the last year when I thought I might not ever fly again.

Anyone who knows me knows that I work all hours and holidays are my pressure release valve! I live for my holidays.

Today foreign travel is a minefield of forms, Covid 19 testing and potential quarantine depending on your destination – not to mention border closures too.

As an experienced traveller, I have struggled to get my head around all of this.

For my first trip back in the air I decided to keep things simple and head for a short break to Gibraltar which is on the UK’s ‘Green List.’ 

I flew with easyJet from London Gatwick and stayed at the new Holiday Inn Express which is a short walk from the airport.

In this first post, I am going to take you through what you need to do prior to departure to Gibraltar. So:

01. Fill out a ‘Passenger Locater Form.’ 

You will need to check in prior to completing this as it requires your seat number. You can do that here.

02. Book a free Covid 19 Test for arrival in Gibraltar.

(You will automatically be redirected to do this after completing step one.) If not you can access the site here. You will receive a barcode voucher. The test centre is in temporary cabin as you exit the airport terminal and you must complete the test within 48 hours of arrival.

03.  Proof of being vaccinated against Covid  19.

Make sure you have either a paper copy of your ‘Vaccination Certificate’ or virtually on the NHS App. I have both just in case my phone battery dies.

You will be required to show this prior to boarding the aircraft. easyJet were very strict on seeing this prior to boarding.

04. Book a Covid 19 test which needs to be taken in Gibraltar two days prior to returning to the UK.

You can book this online at a cost of £30 at the same time as booking your arrival test. The test centre is located at the airport.

05. Book a ‘Day Two Return Test’ in the UK.

I booked this via the Gatwick Airport website at a cost of £69. I actually took the test at Heathrow Airport as it was more convenient to go there after work.

For this test it is worth shopping around. Cheaper options were available including home testing via a video link,  but I needed convenience and the knowledge that the test was completed properly.

My next post will be about flying from London Gatwick to Gibraltar. Until then happy travelling.

With British Airways pilots staging strike action this month which affected my travel plans, I thought it was worth writing a quick blog on what passengers are entitled to when their travel plans are disrupted by industrial action.

In my particular case I was due to fly to Barcelona on the first day of the strike. Once industrial action was announced, British Airways cancelled my outward flight within 24 hours. Yet crucially the return flight wasn’t. To add to my woe’s, I also spent £500 on non – refundable hotels at Heathrow (Due to departing at 06:00) and two nights in Barcelona.

I am very fortunate and lucky to work in the media. That means that I come into contact with experts and contributors on a daily basis. Having covered the strike on various programmes I work on I have learn a lot about what people should expect in these unique situations.

Can I have my money back?

In a nutshell yes you are entitled to a full refund.

However, if you have separate hotel bookings with another company, you won’t get a refund for those. In my case Expedia were exceptional and refunded one of the two nights stay immediately. They asked the hotel to refund the other night which was declined. Again in fairness the hotel offered to move the second night to another date. However, that wasn’t much use to me.

Here’s where travel insurance is a must, I got my money back for the second night from my insurer less my £50 excess.

Can you move my flights to another date?

Absolutely you can ask the airline to rebook your flights (Subject to availability) to new dates that suit you. That was never going to work for me though as I have used all my Annual Leave for the current year. It was suggested by one ‘Travel Commentator’ I spoke with that you could use this to your advantage by rebooking around popular times such as Christmas and New Year.

I want to fly the same day – Can you rebook me on another airline?

I have saved the best for last! In the case of the British Airways strike this has become a grey area with various pundits offering contrasting views. Many people agree that yes you are entitled to be rebooked on another airline, but this doesn’t seem to have happened.

I speak from personal experience here. British Airways were quick to try and move me to another One World partner or I.A.G airline. I was offered Vueling flights from London Gatwick late at night arriving into Barcelona in the middle of the night. As much as I pushed, they weren’t going to book my on easyJet!

In the end I opted to get a full refund and will be off for a ‘Staycation’ in the New Forest instead.

Apologies for the lack of posts recently. Super busy two weeks at working at London Heathrow Airport and BBC Radio London and been fighting this bug that everyone seems to have had. Hey ho!

Worked my first early shift in a while today at London Heathrow Airport which reminded me how busy Terminal 3 is in the early morning as the Asian and Transatlantic rush arrives each morning. Virtually very stand occupied with at least four aircraft remotely parked due to lack of gate space.

To explain, it is not unusual on the way in to work to see Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic aircraft dotted around the ramps and remotely parked between Terminal 2 and 3 being catered, cleaned and serviced for flights later in the day. These aircraft are normally then towed back to a gate roughly an hour before departure for fuelling and of course crew and passengers.

Here’s a quick snap of one of Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A330’s G-VKSS “Mademoiselle Rouge” about to depart for the sun drenched beaches of Miami.

Sorry about the American interloper in the background!

Before I left for California, I did a lot of researching and reading of reviews which lead me to choose Princess Monterey Whale Watching Cruises. I was impressed by the number of positive reviews they had and also that they had a diary of sighting which suggested that they managed to see whales and dolphins most days. On that note, there’s no guarantee that you will see anything, it really is luck of the draw.

Booking was easy and done via Zerve. I also paid extra to be on the top of the boat which is well worth it as you get a much better view and a better line of sight when taking pictures.