Do you need a ip on where to travel? How to get there? When to go? Check it out here because we have all the information to make that special place and bit more special.
Black and Paper covers travel features. We were saddened by the cancellation the ITB a few weeks ago. The tourism industry affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.The impact lasting for many seasons to come.
The airline industry will not be the same. Today IATA announced airlines will lose a combined $252 billion this year, revised from an earlier estimate of $115 billion. As carriers ground fleets indefinitely, many will go bankrupt.
Parked
Berlin’s BER
Moth Balled
I wanted to see the damage for myself. Travelling to the BER Airport I photographed Moth Balled planes on the tarmac from EasyJet, Ryanair, and Lufthansa. The jobs lost, an industry crashing to the ground. I felt despair.
Grounded
However, I think this should be a time of reflection for airlines. Many treat customers as a necessary inconvenience. Customer service and the travel experience have the feel of a cattle drive. Round Them Up! Let’s have optimism out of this crisis some positive changes occur in the future.
I took a business trip to Munich on the Deutsche Bahn recently. Booking a first class ticket with a reserved seat to the Bavarian city is a must. Once,,,, I made the mistake of taking D Bahn without reserving a a seat. No Thank You! “Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me!”
Reliable not Spectacular
The challenge of buying a bargain ticket on Germany train is same as guessing the winning numbers of a lottery ticket. Sometimes it is cheaper to go first class than second class. YES! It all depends on destination and luck. I had a bit of luck on this travel.
My first class ticket only costs 50 euros round trip plus an additional 10 euros to reserve a seat. I got a ICE normal fast service from main station Berlin to Munich in 5 hours. The new fast express service takes 4 hours. With this, the air line travel has become needles. Especially with the Munich airport being one hour away from the city center. Trust me, this is fastest way to go between these two cities.
The Deutsche Bahn Service, First Class is above average, nothing spectacular but reliable. First class car is made up of leather seats three across. In comparison, second class is 4 seats across.
I had a table for working and spacious leg room. The Internet connection proved smooth, easy to log in with few interruptions on the travel. I saw the ticket conductor once. Then a coach stewart came to ask me if I wanted something from the cafeteria car. I got a juice for 2.80 euros. Suddenly, in the middle of traveling, the stewart came back offering complimentary small chocolate bars.
Center to Center
The trains makes several stops on the way to Munich. On some past travels I had to change trains in Nuremberg before completing the last part of the journey.
I arrived in the center of Munich 4 minutes late. Not bad. I had a smooth journey, felt relaxed, walked straight to my meeting only 10 minutes away from the central station.
If you plan to travel on Deutsche Bahn, book in advance and look at all the options for the best fare.
When I was a kid I loved plane spotting at airports. Granted I am from a second tier city with an airport capacity of a few flights a day. Delta Airlines controlled the region. All the liveries were usually Boeing 727’s. I could look up in the sky and knew the time by a passing plane.
During the time I lived in London, Heathrow airport flights dominated the sky. Planes from around the world coming and going at one of the busiest airports in the world. While jogging I would look up to see an A380 from a Middle East Carrier.
While traveling on the autobahn through Southern Germany I saw the tail wing of a Lufthansa 747. Why is that there? Perhaps we missed a signed saying “airport”. Sinsheim is a small a town. The population stands at 35.000. I reasoned there could not be an airport with size to accommodate big planes.
What could it be?
The Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum opened in 1981. For aviation enthusiasts, a must stop. The dramatic sight of an Air France Concorde and Tupolev 144 side by side made me feel like a kid again. I had a model Concorde. Using my hyper imagination to fly from New York to Paris.
Air France Concorde
Tupolev TU 144
According to the website, there are over 3,000 exhibits including cars and tanks.
As I did not have time to enter the museum, I just took pictures from the parking lot. Then walked inside to the gift shop and cafe. No worries. I plan on returning.
A working holiday in Italy alongside Lake Garda, The largest lake in Italy, located at the foot hills of the Alps, at a luxury resort spa. Not a bad proposal. I jumped at the chance. Why not? I did not know much about the region. A chance to visit. The lakeside village of Bordolino dates back to the 10th century. Offering not only striking sunsets, but an enjoy the moment atmosphere.
Sunset on Lake Garda
Working in a Relaxed Space
The Black and Paper collaboration with the Aqualux Hotel Spa in Bardolino started as a casual conversationon how to work together. With eight pools on the property, naturally, swimwear came to mind.
Team Black and Paper “working” at the Aqualux Hotel
Assembling a team from Milan: Model Elia Cometti from Elite Models. Photographer Ivan Siggillino, Make Up Artist/Hair Artist Lorena Palmieri, and Photographer Assistant Simone Toson. The Black and Paper team shot menswear swimsuit looks over 2 days.
A Room with a View of the Courtyard
The Aqualux Hotel is a modern interpretation of a classic Roman Resort Villa. There are spaces for capturing light and keeping cool. The interior gardens and pools offer relaxation while shielding guests from the outside world. Sadly, due to the fact I was working on the production. I did not have as much of an opportunity to enjoy the hotel.
Outdoor Buffett
Fresh Pancakes on Tap
Breakfast Done Right
What’s on offer?
However, I delighted with other offerings, especially the resturant and dinning setting. To say nothing of a breakfast buffet with an omelet chef, my favourite, then an outdoor dinner buffet. All of this while sitting alongside canals, waterfalls, and small pools.
Pools
Outdoor Pool
Indoor Pools
Designed to showcase eight pools, Aqualux Hotel features four indoor pools with four outdoor pools. The indoor pools are enclosed inside a glass atrium. The first floor jacuzzi overlooks the pools and outside courtyard. Outdoors, the large main pool in the center of the hotel is the hub for swimming or chilling out under the sun. The patio areas are designed for tranquility.
The all suite rooms have Internet access with terraces facing the courtyard or outward with mountain views.
Finnally, The service was impeccable. The staff was professional and accommodating during our stay. They knew us as if we were worked at the hotel. As a guest, experience the casual luxury of the Aqualux Hotel, Team Black and Paper recommends it. We had a great time shooting the production.
What is a holiday in Italy or France without food? Resisting was futile. Good food should be enjoyed! The diet got tossed out the window. Give in to temptation if it tastes good. I guessed I sinned a lot. How many Hail Marys will I have to say is a guess.
While traveling around Italy I learned I am not cooking pasta correctly. Particularly wonderful, a seafood pasta from the Italian Riviera. I usually boil it or over boil it to the point of it being a soggy string. No more of that! I have decided to be more careful. Al Dente is now on the dinner plate with a bit more olive oil.
Seafood Pasta Fantasy White Chocolate Heaven Panna Cotta with Love
Lastly, my final plate in Italy shocked me. The best desserts I have EVER HAD! Or at least on the top 5 list. A salty pistachio panna cotta and a White Chocolate cream soup made with balsamic.
FRANCE
In France I had the best baguette of my life. The owner of the hotel said “this is the second best in the area. The best one is a bit more expensive.” Sadly, there was no time to find the “better one”. But there is tomorrow.
The coast is about sea, especially fish. We skipped the front row establishments for the 3 row streets. Finding a very authentic place turned into a fun outing. It must be good place. The same people were there. The waitress was friendly, if not very familiar with customers.
Fries Avignon Market HallFish Deight
Of course, while in Provence, making time for buying cheese, wines, and herbs started as a simple task but became an endeavor of fun. In a small village, the local shop introduced me to a rosemary cheese. The market hall in Avignon offered a variety of Olive Oils. Buying two flavors, one spicy, the other sweet, mission accomplished.
It goes without saying, throw a rock while driving you hit a vineyard in France. Of course, we stopped, tasted, then bought a case of Red, and a bootle of Sparkling.
Culinary delights traveling for 3000 kilometers. Delightful!
