Travel Guide - ThePointsOfLife

Just Got Home & Now I’m Leaving Again

thepointsoflife

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June 14, 2022

I am supposed to be publishing the Iraq Homecoming Trip Report. Due to the fact that renovations of my villa are still incomplete and despite leaving my place in their care for more than three weeks, I have no choice but to go back on the road. I am resuming the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report, a quest to visit every island in my backyard. The funny thing about my backyard is that everything is close in theory. In reality, the rounding couldn’t be more backward. See below:

I start in San Juan and instead of swimming to Antigua, I fly all the way north to NYC. It will not be a wasted evening in NYC as I am meeting Ms. TPOL there for a night on the town (see Etiquette of Things: Comedy Cellar NY). This justifies the use of my 15,600 JetBlue points. On the way back to where I just left, we are flying business for 22k Avios each on AA. Looking to go from Antigua to St. Kitts? Good luck as there are limited flights. Talented TPOL found a British Airways 777 from ANU to SKB that saved me both money, 11k Avios vs. $169, and the hassle of going back to America.

a yellow background with black text — Fortunately, there was no business class availability, leaving no opportunity to debate if it is worth paying double Avios for a 45-minute flight.

The convenience ends where it began: San Juan.

The direct option for June does not fit into my schedule, and the British trick was not available on United.

Checking Wiki Airports (see Wiki Airports: Finding Flights to the Unbeaten Path), I found that Air Sunshine flies direct but for $325 per person. My time is valuable but not that valuable, especially when it is multiplied by two.

Indirect options included these gems:

Lucky for me, Avios rescued me once again. 11k Avios to MIA is much better than the ridiculous prices above. My luck continued as my 14k JetBlue flight back to SJU leaving from Fort Lauderdale spares me a night in Miami, my favorite city (see Hyatt Regency Miami: You’re Not Staying Here Anyway).

It’s not a trip to Iraq, but it’s damn good for putting it all together the night before departure.

a screenshot of a data — As backwards as my Turkish routing.

CDC Suspends Testing Requirement: Where’s My Refund?

thepointsoflife

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June 10, 2022

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TPOL is back to blogging (see Simply The Best: May 2022). A great way to resume is by doing what I do best: complain. The CDC is expected to announce that it will no longer require testing for those entering the country. I have been saying for years that this requirement is stupid and irrational (see COVID Test for Return Travel Is Stupid & COVID Test to Come Home Is S-T-U-). Well, the nonsense is finally ending. I hope the testing schemers made enough money off of this garbage. Personally, I would like to ask for a refund for the tests that I did last week before coming back to the US. I was tempted to fake the results but was scared of losing my Global Entry.

Let there be no doubt. This policy is not being rescinded to help the ailing economy and not because they are ‘following the science’, a phrase that I used to believe meant something.

a person in a blue uniform sitting in a chair in a living room — What will he do now that this money grab is over?

Simply The Best: May 2022

thepointsoflife

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June 9, 2022

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TPOL was out of the office (see [OUT OF THE OFFICE]: TPOL’s Going Home to Iraq). But I’m back from Iraq and ready to golf again. Here is the best of May.

1 Euro Italian Villa: Would She Be Mine?

2. “Tickets, Please, Tickets”: Train Anxiety Invalid request error occurred.

3. Guns & Butter: Milan Travel Guide

4. easyJet: The World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier

5. Late Night Bite in Milan

6. Hyatt Centric Milan: Cert Worthy?

7. In Search of the Priority Pass Milan Malpensa Airport

[OUT OF THE OFFICE]: TPOL’s Going Home to Iraq

The Deal Ticker

thepointsoflife

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May 11, 2022

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I leave on my trip (see 25,000 Mile RTW Trip Including Iraq Booked!). I will be back in mid-June. Follow me on IG, @thepointsoflife, in the interim as I won’t be posting regularly, if at all.

a man sitting at a table drinking wine — Cheers!

easyJet: The World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier

thepointsoflife

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May 10, 2022

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easyJet is part of Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report.

I have flown many discount carriers in my day. My favorite Asian discount carrier is AirAsia because I was able to see most of SE Asia for next to nothing. My favorite in the US is Southwest, because of the Companion Pass and free checked bags. My favorite in Europe and, after this trip, in the world is easyJet. I first flew easyJet in 2015 and had a decent experience (see easyJet: Know Before You Go). I didn’t know then just how easy it was to fly with them if you pay nominal money to become a speedy boarder.

What are the benefits of being speedy boarder? First, it is priority boarding. This is huge when it comes to discount carriers in Europe because airlines do not post the gate until close to departure time. Once the gate is announced, there’s a long queue of people trying to get into the gate, only to queue again to get on the plane. Speedy boarders don’t have to deal with those lines. Second, speedy boarders receive seats near the front of the plane or in emergency exit rows. The seats on easy aren’t luxurious. It’s worth paying for a more comfortable seat and it’s worth being the first on and the first off. Third, speedy boarders can bring a personal item and carry-on without having to pay big fees at the airport (see 100 GBP Carry-On Bags? Scammed by Ryanair & Trips.com).

an airplane parked at an airport — Always pick easy over Ryan.

TPOL’s Tip: Speedy or not, get to the gate on time. If the masses board before you, they’ll throw their luggage in the first overhead bin, defeating the purpose of having a seat in the front of the plane.

Overall

If you’re going to travel in Europe on discount carrier, avoid Ryanair and book easyjet, just be sure to ‘splurge’ for the VIP benefits of being a speedy boarder.

And now some modeling photos of easy:

In Search of the Priority Pass Milan Malpensa Airport

thepointsoflife

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May 9, 2022

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Priority Pass Malpensa Airport is part of Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report.

We took the train to MXP and spent the next hour wandering the airport searching for a lounge. The first was located in the non-Schengen area. Since we were flying domestically, it was inaccessible. The second was conveniently located near our gate but closed due to Covid. The third was open and in the right terminal but was a twenty minute walk to our gate.

Given the time and energy wasted, we didn’t have much time at the lounge. It was a place to re-hydrate and stock up on food for our late arrival in Catania where, unlike Milan, there would be no restaurants open (see Late Night Bite in Milan).

“Tickets, Please, Tickets”: Train Anxiety

thepointsoflife

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May 6, 2022

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“Tickets, Please, Tickets”: Train Anxiety

Train Anxiety is part of Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report.

The train is my favorite method of transport. Here are some examples of why that is:

I also have great anxiety when riding them because I never know if I purchased the right ticket. I am always worried about being fined by the ticket checker because I booked the wrong fare or worse for not having a ticket at all (see Scammed or Stupid? A Big Fine in Palermo).

On this trip, in Copenhagen, I was worried because I only had one ticket for two passengers. Before boarding the train, I asked the information desk if this covered both people. It did. Sure enough, I was stopped by the inspector who double-checked that my single ticket was for two people. 1/1.

From both Manchester airport to the Hyatt Manchester and from Manchester to Conwy, the conductor announced that this train was only for a certain type of ticket. Again, I was anxious when the ticket man came around. He scanned the ticket and moved along. I was 3/3.

In Milan, I exited the airport train at the wrong station. I boarded the next train marked for the airport and was worried when the inspector came and stared at my tickets. He then started speaking Italian and writing something on my ticket. With the credit card machine in his hand, I was sure that I had done something wrong. He gave me back my tickets and walked away. 4/4.

Overall

Train anxiety is real. And so are the fines if something goes wrong. Beware.

Guns & Butter: Milan Travel Guide

thepointsoflife

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May 5, 2022

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Guns & Butter: Milan Travel Guide is part of Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report.

TPOL’s Guns & Butter Travel Guide is the best way to see as much as you can in as little time as possible. Here’s how it works – A trip is composed of two factors: Labor And Lazy. The opportunity cost (what is given up) for relaxing and being Lazy is gained by being adventurous in the form of Labor and vice versa. The guide includes inefficient activities i.e., tourist traps that should be avoided and aspirational activities that are worth doing but may be impossible to see given the constraints of time and resources.

Milan is a great city. Everyone is so fashionable. I feel like a bum each time I am there because I never have my tailor-made suit and tie (see Fabric Market Shanghai Prices: How to Bargain (2019 Edition). My ragged appearance does not stop me from taking in the sights, treating myself to fancy dinners, or staying at top-end hotels. Here’s what I have done:

Stay

If you’re here for one night, the Hyatt Centric is acceptable.

If you’re here to experience Milan, splurge for my favorite Park Hyatt, the Park Hyatt Milano (see Let Me Live Here, Please).

See

Duomo di Milano
Sforza Castle

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

While it is beautiful in the day, it is best experienced at night (see Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Go At Night).

Drink

Nothing says Italy like espresso and negroni (see Negroni! Social Drinking in Milan & Espresso Bar Italy: Nothing Better).

Fancy Lunch

Overpay for pizza and wine in La Galleria.

Pop Up Bars

A nice social spot area is Colonne di San Lorenzo. Drinks are cheaper and the atmosphere is vibin.

Food

From late night to tourist to everything in between, there’s no shortage of places to eat in Milan (see Food in Milan: Tourist Places But Great Nonetheless)

Late Night

With everything closed around the Hyatt Centric, we went to a ‘diner’ on Via Ruggero Boscovich, 22, 20124.

Another choice is Le Capannelle which is located on Viale Papiniano, a great name for a street.

Tourist

It’s tricky to ask upscale hotels like the Park Hyatt for dinner recommendations. They send tourists to safe spots that may not necessarily be the best for authenticity or value. Here, the Park Hyatt recommended Solferino. One thing is for certain, you will arrive in style.

That’s not to say that the wine and food were not top notch.

Local

Latteria di San Marco: Though I’ve never been, I have it on local authority that I missed out.

Real Estate Law

If you’re thinking of buying a 1 euro villa, I have a lawyer you should speak with first (see 1 Euro Italian Villa: Would She Be Mine?).

two men standing in front of a building — What happens when a client doesn’t listen to his lawyer? Stay tuned for Part II.

Overall

Next time I go to Milan, I will show up with better clothes. Other than that, I felt right at home.

Hyatt Centric Milan: Cert Worthy?

thepointsoflife

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May 4, 2022

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Hyatt Centric Milan Hotel Review is part of Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report.

Getting There: From LIN, I took the bus. To MXP airport, I took the train (see “Tickets, Please, Tickets”: Train Anxiety).

TPOL’s Tip: Like many big cities, the area around the central bus/train station is not the best at night. Stopping for a beer on the way to the hotel was a mistake given the unstable patrons.

The age-old question: you have one night in a city and a late arrival. Do you burn points on a nice hotel that you will not enjoy besides the bed?

Points’ philosophers have been pondering this question for years. I faced it en route to Catania to buy a villa (see Nothing to Rent in Tuscany, But Maybe I’ll Buy a House in Italy) vila Milan. With a stay certificate set to expire in 3 months, I booked the Hyatt Centric Central Milan.

Globalist

Although I had hit Globalist by staying at the Hyatt Regency Manchester, my status had not kicked in. I did not receive an upgrade and had to beg for a 4PM checkout.

Room

The room was what I expected for a 15k a night Hyatt.

Bathroom

Location

The hotel is a five-minute walk to the train station, a six-minute walk to my lawyer’s office (see 1 Euro Italian Villa: Would She Be Mine?), and a five-minute walk to late-night restaurants (see Late Night Bite in Milan).

View

Overall

I arrived late. I woke up late. I went to lunch and returned for a siesta. While I didn’t get to enjoy the amenities of the hotel apart from the location, I still conclude it was a good use of points only because it was an expiring stay certificate. However, if I return to Milan, there’s only one place to stay: the Park Hyatt (see Let Me Live Here, Please).

1 Euro Italian Villa: Would She Be Mine?

thepointsoflife

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May 3, 2022

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1 Euro Italian Villa is part of Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report.

I was going a little crazy sitting on the beach in Puerto Rico for the last 17 months (see The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip Report). I had read about the 1 euro houses in Italy for the past few years and thought that if there was a time to buy one, it would be now (see Nothing to Rent in Tuscany, But Maybe I’ll Buy a House in Italy). This was especially true because Castiglione, a town near Mr. Etna, Sicily where I had previously been and rather enjoyed (see Mount Etna, Sicily Wine Tour: Fun & Games Until Police Stop) had places for sale.

Simultaneously, I had grown tired of hiding in the basement and needed a way to transition from the Lost & Found Year(s) to the Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report that had many false starts up to this point (see No Vegas for TPOL).

The first step in the process was sending in my application for consideration. I received an automated response and over the course of a few months continued to receive automated responses.

I contacted my friend in Milan, an Italian lawyer, and asked him to call the town. The only feedback he received was that everything is on the website. Periodically, I would check the website and of course, there was nothing useful on there.

After months of talking both about buying a villa and about traveling, I decided to stop talking and start doing (see Leaving My Basement ). The plan was a few days in Ribera del Duero, near Madrid, for wine tasting (see Guns & Butter: Ribera Del Duero, Madrid Travel Guide (Vino Edition)), followed by a flight to Catania, Sicily to tour the area. As a procrastinator, I didn’t book my flight to Sicily ahead of time. When I landed in Madrid, I checked the flights to Catania. They were expensive and inconvenient. I decided to change the plan and hop from city to city until I found a cheap flight to Italy. With each stop, I ended up further away from my prospective new hometown: Denmark, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales.

At the same time, the inconvenience of traveling during Covid began to take its toll. From scam testing (see Scam Covid Test #1: Entering the UK & Scam Covid Test #2: Leaving the UK) to arduous passenger locator forms, I began to think that the universe was telling me to give up on this idea. Indeed, it wasn’t until I randomly decided to go to Wales (see Guns & Butter: Conwy, Wales Travel Guide) that I found a cheap flight to Italy. Of course, this required another Covid test and another form.

Persistent or hard-headed, I finally made it to Milan and met with my Italian lawyer. We went to lunch where he advised me that this was a stupid idea. While he confirmed that homes were being sold fold next to nothing, he warned that I would be living in a town stuck in the past. He described a slow, laid-back lifestyle where urgency was not a priority. He added that the process of buying a place would be anything but simple. Since this sounded exactly like life in Puerto Rico, I was not intimidated. I decided to press forward.

Thanks to my sleuthing, I found the contact information for the mayor of Castiglione. My lawyer called him and made the arrangements to meet with me upon my arrival. Perhaps I had misread the cards. Perhaps it was my destiny to own a villa in the Mediterranean after all.