Getting Acquainted
Monday, March 30, 2009 by Rudy Maxa.
How do you get situated when you land in a new, big city? I go directly to the nearest, fanciest hotel in town. Even if I’m not staying there.
Two reasons: Firstly, every taxi driver in town knows where it is, so if I get lost, I just have to hop in a cab and say, “The Ritz, please,” and at least I know I’ll get back to somewhere I recognize. Which is especially helpful if you don’t speak the local language.
Second, a concierge at a good hotel can be a great resource and may have more clout getting you into a sold-out theater or sports performance. Or getting you a table at a restaurant that’s fully booked. If you tip a concierge, he or she shouldn’t much care whether you’re a guest in the hotel; just keep your questions to the point, be grateful and leave that tip.
The Internet has been the greatest blessing for travelers headed to a new destination. You can check out the Website of the local newspaper of the town you’re going to visit to find out what cultural or other events might be on tap when you’ll be there. You can book your tickets online for a concert, baseball game, or the opera in Verona, Italy. You can even avoid having to stand in line to visit the famous Ufizzi Gallery in Florence by buying your entrance ticket on line.
And speaking of lines, you’re also welcome to use my favorite way of avoiding a line in the summer at the Eiffel Tower. Book a reservation at the fancy restaurant on the second floor called Jules Verne. There’s a special elevator with no line that will whisk you to the restaurant, and you can enjoy Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s exquisite cuisine. Lunch is much less expensive than dinner, though dinner is the most romantic time to dine as you watch the lights of Paris come on below. And, yes, you can book your table online.
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