tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32391938914984518302023-12-27T17:25:39.942-05:00The Passport PhysicianProviding the cure for the common tripPassport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-38094264741396543492020-12-27T22:33:00.001-05:002020-12-27T22:33:27.553-05:00COVID-19 and Travel, a Doctors Perspective I realize that it has been quite a while since I have posted. Life for me has changed significantly (for the better) and most of my time is now occupied by my 2 young children. I just wanted to quickly share my thoughts on COVID-19 and how it has effected me both as an avid traveler and as a practicing emergency medicine physician. My views below are based on my knowledge Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-19454429584465302062016-04-23T05:57:00.002-04:002016-04-23T05:57:30.526-04:00The key to cheap travel: FlexibilityIn my discussions with friends and colleagues they are often amazed by the airfare deals that I am able to find. Flights to Europe for $200, Bali for $500, New Zealand for $275. At the same time, I am amazed by the prices that business travelers pay; $750 for a flight from Detroit to Pittsburgh. The difference between the two is flexibility.
More than anything else, Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-82241703261754018792016-01-27T05:53:00.001-05:002016-01-27T05:53:17.219-05:00Hotel Review: Hotel Lorien, Alexandria VAPrice: I booked this room for $109 during Kimpton's annual sale.
Location: The hotel is located on King Street, one of the main thoroughfares in old town Alexandria. It is fairly close to the metro station if you want to take a trip into D.C. and there are lots of nice shops and restaurants nearby. I have been to Washington D.C. several times and wanted something different which isPassport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-80587691092767676762015-06-04T10:39:00.000-04:002015-06-04T10:39:41.675-04:00Improved Chase Hyatt Credit Card Sign-Up BonusThe Chase Hyatt credit card has in my opinion one of the more lucrative sign-up bonuses of any credit card. The standard offer for this card is 2 free nights at any Hyatt hotel in the world. I used my free nights at the Park Hyatt Paris - Vendome where rooms often go for over $1000/night.
The new sign up bonus, which requires a few tricks (see below), now not only includes the 2passportphysicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356554105798007494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-87122212912929849202015-03-25T21:47:00.002-04:002015-03-25T21:47:50.971-04:00Trip Report: Arpiau Guest House, Manarola, Cinque Terre
While in Cinque Terre last month we stayed at a small guest house called Arpiau in the town of Manarola. Our room was Aargan (see website for more information). Since Cinque terre is made up of 5 small villages there are no large chain hotels here. Your lodging options include staying several miles away in a traditional hotel or staying in a converted house/guest house. Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-57836455321023735202015-03-22T21:28:00.001-04:002015-03-22T21:28:29.252-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: New York to Oslo Norway $260Round trip flights from JFK to Oslo, Norway on Norwegian are currently as low as $260 round trip. That price includes all taxes. Keep in mind that Norwegian is a "low cost airline" meaning that there can be lots of added charges for baggage, etc. However, this could be a great deal if you pack light.
2,097NOK = 260USD. Note that you must select NOK as the currency to Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-62458167133556115202015-01-22T13:51:00.001-05:002015-01-22T13:51:12.468-05:00Tip: Getting from Toronto to Europe for under $350For those of you living in and around Toronto, you are in luck. There is a way that you can get to Europe for under $350 round trip. As a added bonus you can even get to check out a pretty cool and exotic destination on the way. To get this pricing you need 3 things: be creative, be adventurous, and not mind flying low cost airlines. SATA airline which is the flagship Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-28721901826984879362015-01-21T13:08:00.001-05:002015-01-21T13:08:32.825-05:00Amazing deal alert: New York to California for 64$Some great prices on flights right now from New York (JFK) to Burbank California for 64$ round trip
Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-47497177984388973772014-11-25T10:02:00.000-05:002014-11-25T10:02:34.479-05:00Hotel Review: Hotel Monaco PhiladelphiaLet me first start off by saying that I'm a huge fan of Kimpton Hotels and their portfolio of properties never fails to impress me. During my stays, I've come to expect 2 things from Kimpton: 1. Top-notch personalized customer service and 2. stunning rooms with interesting decor.
The Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia was no exception.
Cost: Rates this summer can be found for as low as $162/Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-50990014273103737612014-10-22T18:57:00.001-04:002014-10-22T19:00:08.714-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: WOWair Boston/Baltimore to london/Copenhagen for 99$WOWair is a low cost European airline based in Iceland. Working on a similar model as Ryanair, Spirit, etc, this airline keeps prices low by charging you for extras. They have recently added flights to and from Boston and BWI. Flights to London and Copenhagen are as low as 99$ each way inclusive of all taxes. Flights to Reykjavik are 129$ each way. Flights can be Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-25020349185161914942014-10-14T11:43:00.000-04:002014-10-14T11:43:26.343-04:00Amazing deal alert: Philadelphia to Bali for $538Great prices on flights from the Philadelphia area (including Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Allentown, possibly others) for $538 round trip including all taxes. You can search for flights on Google Flights and Book on Priceline.
Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-66823813045592769342014-10-03T14:15:00.001-04:002014-10-03T14:15:51.771-04:00Review: Hyatt Place Portland old portMy girlfriend and I took a short trip to new england over the fourth of july. This is one of the newer Hyatt properties and I was excited to check it out
Location: The hotel is ideally located right on fore street in the heart of Old Port. One block from the harbor and within a 5 minute walk of tons of shops, bars and restaurants. For the younger crowd, this location is ideal. Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-27653299699782410132014-10-03T13:58:00.003-04:002014-10-03T13:58:45.684-04:001,000 Hyatt bonus points for using their mobile appHyatt is currently offering 1,000 bonus points per stay simply by booking with their mobile app.
Terms and ConditionsTo earn 1,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points under this offer, you must book a new stay on an Eligible Rate through the Hyatt App or the Hyatt Mobile Site. Both reservation and stay must be made and completed from October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 at any Hyatt Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-8524296276259564912014-08-22T09:16:00.000-04:002014-08-22T09:16:16.665-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: Washington to Cuzco for $400
Great deal from Washington, DC to Cuzco Peru for 400$ round trip with all taxes included. For those of you who may not know, Cuzco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire and is the closest airport to Machu Picchu.
Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-84127692019257793312014-07-24T06:52:00.000-04:002014-07-24T06:52:01.288-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: Newark to Grand Cayman for $226This is a great price for winter travel to the Caribbean.
Newark (EWR) to Grand Cayman (GCM): $226 r/t, American Airlines, sample dates 2/21 to 3/7
Additionally the deal that I mentioned earlier to St. Lucia is still going on with round trip flights from $207 with sample dates from 1/19 to 1/29 on American AirlinesPassport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-32078372325452698642014-07-11T13:33:00.000-04:002014-07-11T13:33:39.981-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: Newark to St. Lucia for $209Flights on American from Newark (EWR) to Vieux Fort, St. Lucia (UVF) are available for 209$ round trip for dates during the winter. Use Kayak or ITA to search for dates.
Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-1473700771426623772014-06-16T16:57:00.000-04:002014-06-16T16:57:27.951-04:00Save up to 30% at Hyatt this summerHyatt is currently running a promotion where you can save up to 30% off stays now through September 4th. The amount you save is based on the number of nights and the specific hotel.
Further details can be found here
ENJOY 20% OFF 2 NIGHT STAYS OR 25% AND 30% OFF 3 NIGHT STAYS
Reserve and stay by: September 4, 2014From the magical beaches of Maui to the bustling metropolis of Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-51202849844755510112014-06-05T22:04:00.003-04:002014-06-05T22:04:29.963-04:00Amazing deal alert: Multiple Cities to Cuzco, Peru for $415 There are currently some very good deals on flights from several US cities (Including Washington, L.A., Miami, Orlando, NYC, Boston, and Chicago) to Cuzco, Peru (CUZ) for around $400 round trip. For those of you who may not know, Cuzco is the closest airport to Machu Picchu and is a pretty amazing and historical city in its own right. The city of Cuzco was the capital of the Incan Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-53991088709377849872014-05-31T21:16:00.002-04:002014-05-31T21:16:42.297-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: NYC to Iguaçu Falls, Brazil: $430 Round tripThere is an incredible deal available now on flights from New York (JFK) to Iguaçu Falls, Brazil (IGU) for $430 round trip with many dates available Oct through Early spring. Keep in mind that winter in the US is summer in South America. Search for dates and book via Kayak. Please don't call the airline regarding this deal.
Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-60183350090383898662014-05-30T22:26:00.001-04:002014-05-30T22:26:36.042-04:00Best international uses of Chase Hyatt Visa free night certificatesOne of the benefits of the Chase Hyatt Visa card is an annual free night at any hyatt hotel category 1-4. Since the annual fee on this card is 75$, if you value a free night at greater than 75$ it would be worth while to continue to carry this card. Keep in mind that these free nights expire after one year. As I mentioned in my prior post on the best domestic redemption options Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-78548380460688758072014-05-28T12:12:00.000-04:002014-05-28T13:54:25.584-04:00Best domestic uses of Chase Hyatt Visa free night certificatesOne of the many perks of the Chase Hyatt Visa card (aside from 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world just for signing up) is a free night certificate at a Hyatt category 1-4 property. Because you only get this free night after renewing your card for a 75$ annual fee, its really only worth it if you plan on getting more than 75$ of value out of it. I have made 2 top 5 lists. passportphysicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356554105798007494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-51983351576082935422014-05-27T13:55:00.001-04:002014-05-28T11:47:14.879-04:00IHG PointBreaks List AnnouncedIHG Point breaks are one of the best travel values out there. Every few months, IHG announces a list of hotels around the world that are available for only 5,000 points per night. This is a significant discount over regular rates which normally run from 10,000 to 50,000 points per night. There are only a limited number of rooms available at this rate so its best to book soon. &Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-74108913707298843092014-05-24T10:34:00.000-04:002014-05-24T10:34:06.101-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: USA to Eastern Europe from 391$ American Airlines currently has some great fares to certain cities in eastern Europe including Sofia Bulgaria from $395 and Budapest from $405. Prices are available from several different US cities and are these prices are available now through at least next march. This is likely a pricing error, so please don't call the airline if you have questions.
passportphysicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10356554105798007494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-17310458987429381072014-05-22T17:56:00.000-04:002014-05-22T17:56:13.467-04:00Amazing Deal Alert: New York to Asia via Europe for $130There are some amazing one way prices from New York (and LAX) to various cities in Asia with stopovers in Europe. Please note that these are one way prices and you would have to find your own way back from Asia (using frequent flyer miles, etc). Some sample itineraries are shown below. You can book via Priceline.
Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3239193891498451830.post-38860291267645459712014-05-20T21:51:00.002-04:002014-05-20T21:51:51.873-04:00Amazing deal alert: Washington DC to Beijing $650Delta currently has some great deals on flights to Beijing from Washington DC (DCA) with round trips as low as $650. You can search for your dates on kayak.com or ITA, then book directly on delta.
Passport Physicianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06162951344517807262noreply@blogger.com0