Heathrow Airport in London is capping the number of departing passengers it can process daily to 100,000. The restriction is causing delays and cancellations to international flights travelling to and from the airport.
The restriction on passenger numbers is expected to last for several months.
If you’re travelling through Heathrow in the coming weeks, plan ahead.
Contact your airline to confirm your flights.
Ensure you take out travel insurance that covers you for flight cancellations.
Be prepared for long wait times at the airport.
Have contingency plans in place if your flight is delayed or cancelled and you’re overseas longer than expected.
I have rarely enjoyed flying into or out of Heathrow. Nor has I enjoyed transferring planes there. But Heathrow has good shopping, passable food, good bars, and lots of seating (at least until now). Hotels are close for overnight stays, and transport into London is great.
Add to this the fires and heat of this summer, and Heathrow, the UK, and Europe are a total mess.
My solution: Fly Aer Lingus into Dublin. Then connect from there if you want to go elsewhere in Europe. Easyjet has great connections there. Also, switch to carryon, forget checking luggage or golf clubs.
If already have tickets into Heathrow, take the Eurostar into the mainland, forget connections! My favorite landing spot in Europe has been Frankfurt. From there, I can easily connect to Athens, Paris, or Istanbul, via train, commuter flights, or bus.
Another trick: I leave my larger bag and take a small carryon when I take little side trips, bypassing the need to check bags.
I was just on the Rhine River last year, October, to be exact, and it was flowing with a vengeance. I was on a wine tasting tour near Rudesheim, not far from Frankfurt.
Here are some facts:
The River Rhine is drying up amid record-breaking summer heatwaves.
The river, which passes through Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, is crucial for moving cargo.
The water level at the Rhine’s bottleneck is at its lowest level in at least 15 years, Bloomberg reported.
The River Rhine, one of Europe’s most important rivers which is used to transport cargo including chemicals, grains, and coal across the continent, is drying up amid record-breaking summer heatwaves.
Germany’s Federal Institute of Hydrology has warned that rivers in Central Europe are at “unusually low” levels and are continuing to fall.
Much of the 800-mile Rhine passes through Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, but the river also runs through Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands as well as along the border between France and Germany.
The water level at Kaub, the river’s bottleneck, was 71 centimeters (just under 28 inches) on Tuesday morning, according to Germany’s federal administration for waterways and shipping. When it reached 77 centimeters (30 inches) last week, it was already at the lowest level for this time of year since at least 2007, Bloomberg reported, citing government data.
Germany’s weather service issued heat warnings for almost all the country on Tuesday. Temperatures are set to reach nearly 40 degrees Celsius (just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country, including Berlin, Leipzig, and Hannover, though the areas through which the Rhine flows are expected to be slightly cooler.
Yes, I have been to the places that invented these ten classic and iconic foods. Of the most famous ten, here are the three I have visited:
OK, this one is open to heated debate. But many sources say that brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri invented this locally beloved cheese-laden meat bomb when they were running a hot dog stand near South Philadelphia’s Italian Market in the 1930s. The sandwich started out with second billing to the franks, but cheesesteak sales soon took off, leading to the opening of Pat’s King of Steaks.
Served on a long crusty roll, the best-known version of the sandwich features chopped beef, chopped onions, and either provolone or, for the true afficionado, Cheez Whiz. Pat’s is still owned and operated by the Olivieri family. When you go, wear something you don’t mind dripping grease on. (I also prefer the pickled peppers on mine for a little zip) Note: Just about every cheesesteak biz in Philly claims to be the inventor, but Pat and Harry are good stewards of the title!
An escargot shortage led Jules Alciatore, son of restaurant founder Antoine Alciatore, to create this dish in 1889. Jules wanted something with the same flavor profile but needed a more readily available protein. In a nod to how rich the taste is, the name is a tribute to millionaire John D. Rockefeller. Antoine’s version consists of oysters in the shell, swimming in butter and topped with a bright green mix of herbs and bread crumbs. Which herbs are used is a closely guarded secret—but unlike imitators, Antoine’s does not use spinach. It’s possible that absinthe was originally part of the recipe, but not anymore. Frommer’s author Diana Schwam says Antoine’s is “as classic as New Orleans dining gets.” (I found it to be quite rich, heavy, and hardly tasted like oysters!) Note: I prefer escargot.
Pizza may well have been around since the ancient Greeks—they used the word pissa to refer to bread topped with vegetables. But it wasn’t until Chicagoans Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo got involved in the food biz in 1943 that pizza truly became a pie. The pair opened the first Pizzeria Uno (now a chain), serving thick, almost casserole-esque pizzas that were cooked not on a flat tray in the Italian manner but in a circular pan with high sides. The dough was patted up the sides of the pans, and the usual mode of applying toppings was inverted, with mozzarella on the bottom of the vegetables and meats. A generous spread of tomato sauce crowns the doughy, gooey goodness.
The original location is still welcoming guests, with a second, Pizzeria Due, just across the street. Franchised restaurants elsewhere are known as Uno Pizzeria & Grill. (It is a gooey mess, I prefer thin crust always!) Note: Give me my Serious Pie from Tom Douglas in Seattle anytime!
I can’t say I am crazy about Deep Dish or Rockefeller. But I did enjoy the cheesesteaks in Philly. Pizza in Chicago reminds me more of lasagna than pizza. It is heavy and difficult to eat more than a few bites. Oysters should be eaten raw; you can have the Rockefellers. But Philly cheesesteaks are just great, and just about anywhere in Philly serves a good one!
The other famous ten are: Red Velvet Cake, Parker House Rolls, the Ice Cream Cone, California Roll (everyone claims this one too), Brownies (everyone claims this one as well), the Hamburger and Buffalo Wings.
Edinburgh, Scotland I think a revisit is in order, since I was golfing most of the time on my previous visit.
Chicago One of my favorite US cities, great food, music, easy to navigate, Wrigley, Mag Mile.
Medellin, Colombia Very interesting, with great food, interesting neighborhoods. But too highly rated!
Glasgow, Scotland I plan to go back, soon!
Amsterdam One my favorite EU cities, always interesting, edgy, great museums, interesting food.
Prague Too many tourists for me. Good food and beer.
Marrakech, Morocco I have been to Tangiers, and I would not return to Morocco.
Berlin Another edgy, interesting city with great landmarks, food, and history.
Montreal Feels like France without the bullsh*t, great food, nice people
Copenhagen Never been, but perhaps worth a try?
The U.S. dollar and the euro are now practically on par, which means that Europe is 15% more affordable than it was this same time last year. That’s fantastic news for Americans whose USD suddenly goes a lot further in 19 countries.
Thanks to the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap is the only river that reverses course during the year. May brings the first downpours of monsoon season. When the Mekong levels rise, they force water back into the flood basin. The Tonle Sap River water then overflows and spills backward towards the lake. This annual influx of water creates currents that run in one direction in the dry season and the opposite in the wet season. The seasonal switch has made this area of Cambodia one of the most prolific, successful fisheries in the entire world. I was also told that the Couer d’Alene River also flows both ways.
Japan came in first, followed by South Korea and Singapore, while at the bottom of the list, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria are the least valuable passports to have. And who would go to those three war torn countries right now?
The United States came in joint seventh, with visa-free or visa-free on arrival access to 186 destinations across the world, tying with Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, and New Zealand. European counties dominate the top ten after the top three.
Interestingly, Russia remains high on the list despite sanctions currently placed on the country, preventing many of its citizens from traveling. The passport power index only ranks passport accessibility, which has technically not been affected by the sanctions. In reality, who would go to Russia now?
Now, don’t you feel like getting on a plane this Fall and head somewhere fun? I am thinking Portugal, or some of the Balkans.
The Transportation Security Administration has seen a huge surge in the number of travelers enrolled in its expedited security checkpoint screening program — through TSA PreCheck directly and through other programs like Global Entry. There are no signs of the trend slowing, either. In fact, the agency wants more travelers to enroll.
How do the current numbers compare to pre-pandemic times?
In 2019, there were 18.9 million known travelers, the TSA told TPG. That means enrollment levels in DHS Trusted Traveler programs have spiked 44% since before the pandemic. The numbers have also more than doubled in the last five years. In 2017, there were just 12.6 million known travelers.
Still, the agency touts short wait times for TSA PreCheck members even in the midst of a summer travel surge. In June, 94% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes, the agency reports.I can tell you from experience that Global Entry saves time, every time. And now with their facial recognition software, it is even faster. Not so true for Pre-check in certain locations, like San Diego, Las Vegas, Seattle, Honolulu, and Denver.
Staffing appears to be the biggest problem. I noticed that checkpoints in foreign countries ALWAYS went faster and easier!
The best one I have seen lately is Frankfurt.
My suggestion: Take the train!
Seriously, you should have both Global Entry and PreCheck if you travel, even half as much as I do.
India is set to overtake China as the most populous country in the world by 2023, according to the UN’s most recent projections. Both China and India are home to over 1.4 billion people. (Previous estimate was 2025)
If the forecast is correct, the global population could reach eight billion by mid-November, 8.5 billion by 2030, and 10.4 billion by the end of the century. In 1950, the population was just 2.5 billion.
The news has drawn both celebration and concern. The UN applauded the developments in medicine and living standards that have allowed such a significant increase in population while also drawing attention to the climate issues so many people can create.
India and China are some of the world’s largest coal-burning nations, and both required verbiage changes to the Glasgow Climate Pact that suggested they “phase down” coal usage instead of “phase out.”
Growth is slowing across the world, however, which lends to workforce concerns in the future. With an aging population living far longer than previous generations, there is uncertainty if the workforce will be able to cope.
And despite global warming: It’s hard to deny the mighty Perito Moreno a spot on the list of Earth’s most jaw-dropping glaciers. Covering 97 square miles, Perito Moreno (named after 19th-century explorer Francisco Moreno) is one of the only glaciers in the world that is advancing instead of shrinking. That’s good news for the planet, as well as for visitors — who are in for an incredible natural show. Stand in front of Perito Moreno long enough, and you’ll bear witness to piercing cracks and booms of huge chunks of ice calving off the glacier as it expands. Then watch them fall into the frigid waters of Lago Argentino, 200 feet below.
Located near the town of El Calafate in southern Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno is perhaps the most accessible of the four dozen glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The viewing platform provides a spectacular vantage point from across the lake, but guided tours also offer the chance to climb and trek through the glacier’s craggy caves and towering walls of ice.
Annual population growth is 83 million or 1.1% per year. My question is how do we feed this many people with limited resources, like drinking water and clean air? Pollution is already a bigger issue in China and India, than most of the civilized world. Add the Covid issue to this, along with whatever maladies we encounter in the next few years, and we have a problem, Houston!
As a personal observation, I would note that both countries place a premium on education and produce many great scholars and scientists. Let’s hope the trend continues.
Stuffed Suitcase had this to say, with a few comments of my own, of course! Most of this applies only to trans oceanic flights, and most cross country flights.
Comfortable Pants I would say this generally does not include denim for men or women, unless they are the stretch variety. Women can wear leggings; men are a bit more limited. But I have stopped wearing Bermuda shorts on long flights since my legs get cold and would be exposed to “things” mostly invisible. I actually found some nice stretch pants at Sam’s Club that travel quite well, never wrinkle, and can be hand washed in my hotel room.
Shirt I prefer a long sleeve shirt, even though it tends to wrinkle a bit. I am not a fan of T shirts, since they look a bit sloppy. Sometimes, a nice polo shirt also works well, when heading to a warm climate. But planes can get a bit chilly, particularly on long distance flights. Women can carry a blanket scarf, but guys need a light sweater or sweatshirt.
Shoes Well, rule number one, never wear flip flops. During an emergency or fire, you will not have a chance! I generally opt for a nice pair of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes. My new favorites are the Hoka Ones. In Biz, the airline provides disposable socks. But never, I repeat never, go barefoot!!
Support stockings I started wearing these last year and found that I feel much better when I land. I wear the disposable airline socks over mine.
Hydration Regardless of where I sit, I always carry a water bottle. Always! Contrary to the experts, I do have a glass of champagne or sparkling wine in Biz class. And sometimes a glass of wine with dinner.
Move I try to take several walks, if only to use the toilet. I try to stretch my back and hamstrings and Achilles as well. Also, the benefit of having a lie flat seat allows better overall circulation.
Long flight secrets I always carry pain meds, mints, sunglasses, ear plugs, a paperback book, and an energy bar.
My secret weapon I try to bring a few treats or some products from our farm cooperative to share with both the flight attendants and restaurant staff while on my trip. They enjoy our Sun Maid raisins, instant Starbucks, or See’s candy.
From Finance Buzz: Although Berkeley may be considered more bougie than bohemian these days, the counterculture vibe that made it so famous in the 60s is still recognizable in its local haunts, and food and art scene. Dine at world-famous Chez Panisse — considered by many to be the birthplace of the California cuisine food movement — where the focus is on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients.
For art and cinema aficionados, the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is on a mission to “inspire the imagination (and) ignite critical dialogue” with diverse exhibitions and hard-to-find independent films. For a taste of the old days, head to the University of California’s epicenter of protests and performances, Sproul Hall, or head to Telegraph Avenue for bookstores and street vendor wares.
I love Berkeley, as I attended as both an undergrad and grad student. It remains one of the biggest and most important parts of my early years. Getting away from Kingsburg was probably the most important step of my life. Though I had a wonderful family and many friends, I really needed to see more of the world, gain a different perspective, and educate myself for the future. Now, my friends call me a Berkeley liberal!
Another place I went for post graduate studies:
Attending a Tar Heels game on the University of North Carolina’s pretty, mid-19th century campus is practically a spiritual experience. After worshiping at the altar of a men’s basketball or women’s soccer game, visit the Franklin-Rosemary Historic District that abuts campus and make a tour of the 30 plus art murals around downtown.
Don’t forget Chapel Hill’s notable food scene — the area once won the title of “America’s Foodiest Small Town” by Bon Appétit magazine. Local favorites include the upscale Hawthorne & Wood and Sutton’s Drug Store, a beloved diner filled with Tar Heels basketball memorabilia.
The Tar Heels live for basketball. This includes the profs, who will give a pre-lecture rundown of the previous night’s game, ad nauseum. By the time I was here, in the 1990s, my life was fairly well established. And the great golf courses nearby at Pinehurst were also an attraction! Going to school on the east coast is quite different from the west coast.
Heading to the Central Coast is always a good break from the summer heat here in the Valley. What are some options?
From 365 Traveler: You can nearly smell the spirits emanating from the rolling hills while touring around Paso Robles wine country. An estimated 300 wineries and a host of tasting rooms dot the region, making it one of California’s top wine regions. Vineyards stretch as far as you can see, and cover 33,000 acres, with the ideal conditions for producing the award-winning cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, rhône wines, and other grapes that it has become known for. Visiting the wineries here is one of the best things to do in Paso Robles.
Many local wineries welcome visitors to tour their vineyards to see behind-the-scenes of making their signature wine flavors, learn about the family’s wine-making history, and enjoy plenty of wine tastings to satisfy the wine-lover inside of you.
You can nearly smell the spirits emanating from the rolling hills while touring around Paso Robles wine country. An estimated 300 wineries and a host of tasting rooms dot the region, making it one of California’s top wine regions. Vineyards stretch as far as you can see, and cover 33,000 acres, with the ideal conditions for producing the award-winning cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, rhône wines, and other grapes that it has become known for. Visiting the wineries here is one of the best things to do in Paso Robles.
Many local wineries welcome visitors to tour their vineyards to see behind-the-scenes of making their signature wine flavors, learn about the family’s wine-making history, and enjoy plenty of wine tastings to satisfy the wine-lover inside of you.
Founded in 1979, Eberle Winery is one of the first to establish Paso Robles as a go-to wine destination and offers tours to showcase why. Tours take you through underground caves lined with oak barrels for aging the wines to perfection, before tasting a sampling of its limited annual production of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and cotes-du-robles.
Next, head over to Tobin James Cellars, whose award-winning cabernet sauvignons, merlot, and chardonnay flavors have made it one of the most popular wineries in the region. You’ll learn about its history dating back to 1987, before stepping inside the saloon-inspired Grand Antique Bar tasting room to see what the buzz is all about.
Later, journey to the hilltops of the Calcareous Vineyard, where nature plays a significant role in making its wine stand out. You’ll learn about the unique calcareous soil, where its name is derived, and how it enriches the vineyards with calcium to create memorable flavors of the signature cabernet sauvignon and other wines. Live music creates the perfect atmosphere for their wine tastings, set against the backdrop overlooking Salinas Valley.
Wine tasting works up quite an appetite, best satisfied by a meal at Thomas Hill Organics, a local farm-to-table restaurant. It maintains the organic traditions of the Central Coast with homegrown creative dishes that bring you back to life after a day of drinking wine.
I am a big supporter of Central Coast wines. But, in many cases (no pun intended), they are pricing themselves out of the market. Like I have always said, $20 is my limit, except for special occasions.
One of my favorite places to visit is Laetitia Vineyard and Winery, just south of Arroyo Grande. Why? For one, they have a pretty good brut rose’. Second, and perhaps most importantly, they have a great picnic area for us to have our lunch and bring Lexi along. We usually buy some sushi and bring it with us. After a short tasting, we have our lunch on their beautiful grounds.
Another place we have enjoyed, among many others, is Daou Winery in the foothills above Paso. Their wines seem to be a cut above (also pricier). I enjoy their Cab with a ribeye at our favorite restaurant, Ember, in Arroyo Grande. But I see that it is no longer on the “by the glass” menu.
Once in a while, a beer hits the spot. Visit Firestone Walker Brewing Company to experience signature brews from the first craft brewery, established in 1996. There are more than two dozen beer options at The Pour House and The Backyard. In addition, Silva Brewing Co. is a transplant from San Diego, that’s also joining the local craft brewery trend.
We often stop at Firestone Walker, since they have a patio for lunch. Lexi loves it there. And their lunch menu is quite good, along with a tall glass of 805, my new favorite beer.
And, the weather will be much cooler on the coast!!!!
In order to beat the Valley heat, we are once again driving over to Pismo Beach on the central coast of California. So, not only do we love the cooler weather, our little Labradoodle, Lexi loves it too. And we get to eat at some of our favorite places, like Ember in Arroyo Grande, since they have an outdoor patio dining area where Lexi is welcome!!!
The mostly boring drive of about three hours is tolerable. But summer lodging rates on the beach are somewhat inflated, though not as bad as the Monterey Peninsula or further south in Santa Barbara. I guess we should not complain! And most all of them charge extra for having even a small dog in the room.
But once we get here, we enjoy ourselves immensely. While the cooler weather draws us, we end up doing the same things: dining, walking, taking Lexi to the beach, maybe some wine tasting, and light shopping.
Something funny about Pismo was chronicled in the old TV show, Dragnet. Joe Friday’s partner at the time, Harry Morgan (aka Colonel Sherman Potter in MASH), plays Bill Gannon. He takes a disability retirement in Pismo Beach. After eating clam chowder for about 8 months, Bill’s health returns, and his teeth stop falling out! He is reinstated to the LAPD, and tells Joe Friday the reason for his return to health, “The clams, Joe, the clams.”
One of my favorite stops these days is the Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles, just off Highway 101. Again, they have a shaded outdoor patio for us to eat, enjoy some 805 (my favorite beer, a blond ale, now), and allow Lexi to join us while we eat. So, not only are the craft beers (usually a dozen or more) excellent, the food is also equally good and interesting.
If you get over to the coast, I highly recommend dining at Ember. The food and ambience is unmatched, not only for this area, but stands up to most places in the Bay Area as well. Their website touts, “Ember is all about authentic hand-crafted food cooked by a wood fire. We aim to create the ideal environment to experience Central Coast food and wine.” We have enjoyed many memorable meals there. Just remember, they open at 4pm, do not take reservations (they do now), and are closed Monday and Tuesday. Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded them one of the top 100 wine restaurants in America.
Maybe there are some other things to do without food or wine? I doubt it.
One thing we will do for sure is take Lexi to the beach. Last year, she had a sore paw, and was told by her vet to stay away from the sand.
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