This incredible video was shot by photography and film professor Cy Kuckenbaker on Nov 25, 2012. He used a Canon 7D with a EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 lens, shooting the planes with 1080p video at 24fps.

by Raymond Kollau courtesy of Airlinetrends.com

12 November 2012 | Hot on the heels of the announcement that Qantas has started the rollout of its new Q-Streaming wireless inflight entertainment service comes an interesting look behind the scenes. Qantas’ Q-Streaming service will see every seat on Qantas’ B767 aircrafts get an iPad that provides passengers with access to more than 200 hours of content, streamed from an onboard server. Passengers who own an iPad, laptop or smartphone will also be able to view the same content through a separate application, but it is unclear when this feature will be introduced.

Qantas has also indicated that it is looking at ways to evolve the Panasonic-based technology platform further. According to the airline’s Domestic CEO Lyell Strambi, “This could include the addition of internet access, live television and the ability to order food, drinks and duty- free goods via the iPad.” More on the Qantas’ Q-Stream system in this report by Australian Business Traveller.

iPad galley carts
In order to keep all 256 iPads onboard the B767 fully charged for return flights, multiple flights during the day, as well as to simplify [Read more →]

So your flight has a long layover in Paris and you’re stuck at Charles de Gaulle—so near and yet so far—for at least six hours. What to do? Admittedly, CDG is a lot nicer than a lot of other airports I’ve been in, but wouldn’t you rather see a bit of Paris?

I was recently lucky enough to spend a few days at the gorgeous Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and get to know Santa Monica, CA, a place I’d been many times before—but this time it was different. This time after only a few days I was completely recharged, refreshed, and enchanted by my whole experience.

What’s fascinating to me is the rich history of the hotel’s property. “Miramar” (Spanish for “view of the sea”) was originally built in 1889 as the home of John P. Jones, who made his fortune mining silver and became the founder of Santa Monica. In 1921 the mansion was sold and began it’s affluent tenure as the Miramar Hotel.

Located high on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has been a hideaway, home-away-from-home, and luxurious playground for Hollywood’s elite, as well as politicians and other discerning guests. Greta Garbo, Eleanor Roosevelt, Presidents John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton, and Charles Lindbergh have all been guests at the Miramar.

And to this day it remains a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow, Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford, Ron Howard as well as Shaquile O’Neal and Venus and Serena Williams, to name just a few of its many illustrious guests. (To read the full article, and see all the amazing photos, CLICK HERE!).

Chef Ray Garcia’s FIG Restaurant, located at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and named after the Moreton Bay Fig tree, one of Santa Monica’s oldest landmarks, is a seasonal bistro sourcing ingredients from the local Santa Monica Farmer’s Market and southern California farmers.

Chef Garcia has been kind enough to share these three delicious recipes ~ Red Beet Risotto,  Warm Quinoa Salad with Orange Blossom Vinaigrette, and Strawberry Crumble. Just click on the (printer friendly) recipe images to enlarge. Bon Appetit!!

Chef Garcia is a firm believer in using the freshest local, seasonal ingredients and letting them shine with a minimum of fuss in the preparation. He works with local growers and producers and shops the world renowned local farmers’ markets to seek out the best. As a result, the food at FIG is a perfect complement to the understated elegance of the Miramar Hotel itself.

Be forewarned, with the wildly popular  “FIG at Five”, this place is quite busy most nights. And for those with adventurous palates, there is a “FEED ME” option on the menu. It beckons you to let “Chef Ray prepare a dinner for your table with a combination of current FIG favorites and off-menu surprises.”

For more information about Chef Garcia and his famous FIG Restaurant, click here to read my article “A Santa Monica Getaway.”  

The Republic of the Seychelles is made up of a group of 115 islands situated in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. Within this magnificent archipelago there are 41 mid-ocean inner granite islands and 74 low-lying reef islands and coral atolls.

The main island of Mahé, home to the international airport and the capital city of Victoria, is the main tourism center and boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Originally settled by the French, the islands were ceded to the British in 1814, after Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, and continued under British rule until 1976 when they achieved independence and became a republic. The rich and diverse culture of the Seychelles reflects the diversity of the people—Africans, Europeans, and Asians—who have settled there over the islands’ history.

What struck me most about the Seychelles when I visited recently were not only their stunning beaches, but also their unusual and beautiful plants. The Seychelles’ Praslin Island is home to the Coco de Mer, a coconut palm with the largest seeds and leaves of any plant in the world. The palms, which can take 25 to 50 years to mature and bear fruit, are prized and cultivated in botanic gardens throughout the world. The male and female flowers grow on separate trees, and the unique two-lobed form of the coconut, suggestive of a woman’s buttocks (truly, you won’t believe your eyes!)… Continue here for my photos & and to read on! Click here for delicious Creole recipes.

Recently I had the pleasure of spending more than a week in the Seychelles. You have heard about their gorgeous beaches, but did you know that they are also known for their delicious Creole cuisine?

First, a little background about this spectacular location. The Republic of the Seychelles is made up of a group of 115 islands situated in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa.  Within this magnificent archipelago there are 41 mid-ocean inner granite islands and 74 low-lying reef islands and coral atolls.

The main island of Mahé, home to the international airport and the capital city of Victoria, is the main tourism center and boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Originally settled by the French, the islands were ceded to the British in 1814, after Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, and continued under British rule until 1976 when they achieved independence and became a republic. The rich and diverse culture of the Seychelles reflects the diversity of the people—Africans, Europeans, and Asians—who have settled there over the islands’ history.

One of the most charming and interesting spots I discovered was La Plaine St. André. Located in a 200-year-old, beautifully restored plantation house, there is a rum distillery, gallery, and  newly opened bar and restaurant. There are guided tours of the Takamaka rum distillery and of the grounds, where a variety of herbs and medicinal plants are grown and you can see the ruins of the original plantation’s kitchen and boathouse. Then, when you’re done, relax and enjoy a lovely meal.

The owners of La Plaine St. André have been gracious enough to share two of their special recipes with me —one for a fabulous Bourgois Fillet (red snapper fillet) with passion-fruit sauce, accompanied by steamed vegetables, and an herb-butter rice. And the other for their special Creole Cervesa Mojito made with (the passion fruit is listed, but optional), mint leaves, lime juice, their Takmaka rum, and—yes—topped off with beer. (For more information about the Seychelles and stunning photos read my extended article here: The Seychelles, A True Island Paradise)

BOURGOIS FILLET

Bourgois is a large, local red snapper and is considered a special delicacy of the Seychelles archipelago. A wonderful way to enjoy this fresh and delicious meal, you can serve the red snapper drizzled in passion-fruit sauce with steamed, seasonal vegetables and herb-butter rice.

 Ingredients You Need… [Read more →]

Are you and your Valentine apart because one of you is traveling? There are times when its a bit harder to be away from your sweetheart, especially during holidays like Valentines Day. Here are a few ideas that will bridge the gap no matter how far apart you are.

Call the Concierge - Your best bet is to let the the hotel’s Concierge arrange flowers, chocolates, or maybe room service with Champagne  delivered right to the room. If your sweetheart isn’t at a hotel, then use the Concierge service in your credit card to help you handle all the details.

A Spa Treatment-  The hotel may have a spa, or perhaps there is one nearby.  Not sure what spa is best? You don’t have to decide, you can purchase an instant Valentine’s Day e-gift card from SpaFinder, the “global spa and wellness resource.”

Custom Perfume – Okay, you know she loves perfume but you aren’t quite sure which one to get. Featured in this months “O Magazine” is the unique bespoke fragrance kit from Scenterprises where she can create her own signature scent. And best of all, it comes with a travel friendly purse spray.

A Sweet Card – It’s always wonderful to get a card, but when your Valentine is away that can be a bit of an issue. Problem solved. Send a beautiful card with Paperless Post and perhaps include a belated Valentine’s Day celebration message…

The Apple of  Your Eye…  Is your sweetheart a techie? You can give her beautiful accessories that keep her devices ding-free or a new iPad, (maybe even an iou as the new iPad is coming out in March).

For Foodies! For the culinary enthusiasts, what would be more exciting than a plan trip for 2 to the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Event this April 12-15th! And for those who can’t easily get away, consider signing both of you up for a wine course or a cooking class.

Editors’ Note: Carolyn Paddock writes about products and services that are beneficial for travelers. The products and services mentioned are neither commissioned by nor written in cooperation with the product company or manufacturers.

I know how hard it can be to come up with just the right gift at just the right price, so I did a bit of research, and I’ve come up with 10 great gifts at a variety of price points and one great idea for the last minute shopper!

1. I love beautiful coffee table books, and perhaps it’s because I recently was in Rio de Janeiro that this book is especially alluring… Brazilian Style published by Assouline, is informative, inspiring, and visually stunning. It’s certain to have any armchair traveler wanting to fly down to Rio.

2. Grooming Lounge specializes in men’s grooming products, and “The Greatest Shave Ever” Try Me Kit includes four of their top-rated products—face wash, shave cream, shave oil, and aftershave—in small, TSA-approved sizes. A great gift for the traveling man in your life.

3. Winner of the 2011 Conde Nast Traveller “Favorite Travel Website” Mr & Mrs Smith are premiere bookers of boutique and luxury hotels. Now they’re offering a stylishly wrapped “Get a Room!” gift voucher sgood for use toward an accommodation at any of their more than 850 hotels around the world. Cards start at $50.00, and for $100.00 or more you’ll also get one of their best-selling travel guides of your choice. Add it to your gift to inspire the recipient to explore someplace new. [Read more →]