Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петерб́ург Sankt-Peterburg;) is a world-class destination and Russia’s second largest city, with a population of more than 5 million perched at the eastern tip of of the Baltic Sea and the Neva River.
The city was formerly known as Petrograd (Петрогр́ад), and later Leningrad (Ленингр́ад).
This is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth and virtually any building in the large historic centre, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, can be considered an attraction—and indeed, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a magical city, with a long list of major attractions. Its Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace of the Romanov Dynasty, is both one of the world’s greatest and oldest collections of art, treasure, and antiquities, and one of its most beautiful buildings.
Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петерб́ург Sankt-Peterburg;) is a world-class destination and Russia’s second largest city, with a population of more than 5 million perched at the eastern tip of of the Baltic Sea and the Neva River.
The city was formerly known as Petrograd (Петрогр́ад), and later Leningrad (Ленингр́ад).
This is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth and virtually any building in the large historic centre, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, can be considered an attraction—and indeed, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a magical city, with a long list of major attractions. Its Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace of the Romanov Dynasty, is both one of the world’s greatest and oldest collections of art, treasure, and antiquities, and one of its most beautiful buildings.
Long flights are synonymous with fatigue, discomfort, and boredom. The last thing you want to do is not pack your essentials. Sometimes over think it and you’re too rushed to think, at all. Well, today, we’ll do the thinking for you; but that doesn’t leave you off the hook. You have to plan ahead. You have to visualize your trip from start to finish and know what you will absolutely need. Jot down notes and back them up by taking a photo, just in case you lose your hard copy – OR use a mobile app, then email your notes to yourself, just in case you lose your phone.
Long journeys aren’t just tiring – they require meticulous planning to avoid last-minute panic attacks. If you’re traveling alone, don’t be liberal while packing. Prioritize and get creative. Ensure that you have limited luggage. It is advisable to carry a single suitcase as it is easy to maneuver. Take advantage of the carry-on bag option to hold your important belongings close, in case your checked-in luggage gets lost or mishandled. Make sure you know the latest baggage policy for your airline. Also, make sure you use travel size toiletries.
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that will make things easier the next time you gear up to board a long flight.
Do’s
Wear comfortable clothing so that you can rest easily. Chino pants or a comparatively loose pair of jeans makes you feel comfortable and enhances your style quotient. Try to avoid wearing jewelry, hair pins, belts, etc. – this will get you through airport security, smoothly. It doesn’t hurt to visit the TSA website for more traveler information.
Go in for comfortable footwear as your feet may swell up after a long journey.
Make sure you have an iPod, mp3 player, e-reader, book, magazine, etc. so there are no dull moments during and in between flights.
A noise cancelling headphone is a boon for long flights, so make sure you have one.
If space permits, carry a small neck pillow to avoid an aching neck.
An eye mask can come in handy if you want to take a nap. It is advisable to catch 4-5 hours of sleep on the flight so that you feel refreshed and active, once you land.
If necessary, carry some medicine to avoid nasty headaches, indigestion, or gas.
Take some healthy snacks with you, as they come in handy in the wake of flight delays and awful in-flight food options.
Don’t forget to carry your toothbrush, travel sized toothpaste, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and any other hygiene related products. Don’t forget a few zip-lock bags.
Pack your lip balm and travel sized moisturizer to avoid dreadfully dry lips and skin after the flight.
Make sure your money and all your credit cards are secure and in your possession. If traveling abroad, get some currency changed at the airport before boarding.
Don’t forget to carry your passport and ID card and boarding pass.
Don’ts
Avoid wearing tight clothes on a long journey.
Avoid wearing heels.
Don’t keep any prohibited liquid in your handbag or anything else that is not allowed in cabin baggage otherwise you might have to give it up at security.
Long journeys will no longer be tiring if you plan. So follow these simple steps to trot around the globe with ease and comfort.
A person who dons many hats, Shereen Collington is a budding filmmaker who dreams of becoming an Academy Award winning director, one day. With a penchant for black and white films, Collington’s tryst with filmmaking began at Collins College in Phoenix, Arizona in 2009.
Back in college, Shereen had a project involving an aerial stunt. The actress scheduled to perform the stunt couldn’t fulfill the role, so Shereen stepped in. Little did Shereen know – she was about to discover a new passion in life. The thrill of flying in the air made her realize this is what she wanted to do for a living, despite the hard work and rigorous training. At present, she’s putting her best foot forward and is working on getting into The International Stunt School in Seattle, Washington. Check out the link to donate: http://www.gofundme.com/9i5ke8
Not only is substantial filmmaking her forte, Shereen is an amazing photographer, a talented voice-over artist, and has a keen eye for new talent. In association with Grist for the Mill productions, she has run her production company, Isaiah 54, for five years now, which is in pre-production for a sci-fi drama titled “Crescendo”.
“There’s Something I Want You to Know” and “Fixative” are two of her short experimental films. The actors enjoyed the challenge of learning Japanese for “Fixative”. Shereen likes to create black and white films which focus on different facets of human relationships.
Shereen is, also, a talented designer and her comic strip, Joppa, has earned her quite a fan following. Joppa, which means beautiful, is a colorful and whimsical strip which takes its inspiration from the Bible. In the Book of Acts, Shereen read about Tabitha of Joppa who was renowned in her community for bringing about a change in people’s lives. That was when her character “Joppa Dupree” came to life. In her comic, she presents the most mundane situations of life in a witty and amusing style, thereby impressing and motivating her readers .
As a writer, Shereen is motivated by the crazy human behaviors that make up everyday life and the ironic ideas that may seem deceptive but turn out to be great and life-changing.
Her superhero character brand is aptly named “White Lotus” as she explains “I emerge in a pristine condition from the murkiest of waters”.
Shereen Collington is a person full of hopes, who is ceaselessly working towards her goals. In the coming future, she aspires to produce a sci-fi feature film and wants to create more black and white films.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort in Arizona is famous for many things, from its world-renowned TPC golf course to the Southwestern-chic AAA Five Diamond accommodations that it offers. While many venture to this revered resort to stay and play, others come just for the fine fare as there are multiple excellent eateries on-site. My personal favorite is La Hacienda Restaurant by Richard Sandoval where modern interpretations of classic Mexican cuisine reigns supreme.
Those fortunate enough to dine here quickly learn why La Hacienda has adopted the slogan “Old Ways, New Hands.” This upscale restaurant takes the traditional staples of Mexican fare and fuses them with the very latest cooking techniques and presentation styles inspired by the finest kitchens in Europe. Rather than focusing on bulk, spice and heat typical of South of the Border-based eateries, the more refined menu at La Hacienda instead focuses on fresh ingredients, surprising food pairings and lighter dishes that let the top-quality ingredients and skill of the culinary team shine though.
To ensure patrons receive a premium epicurean experience, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort teamed up with Richard Sandoval to create La Hacienda. A Mexico native, Chef Sandoval trained at the Culinary Institute of America and owns over a dozen restaurants across the world. He is rightly considered the father of modern Mexican cuisine. La Hacienda represents the zenith of his life’s work, as he takes Mexican food to compelling new heights. Commanding the kitchen each night is the resort’s own Executive Chef, Forest Hamrick, who led La Hacienda to receive the AAA Four-Diamond award for three consecutive years.
What can you expect when you dine at the La Hacienda Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale? The first thing you’ll notice is the décor. While the food is urbane, the restaurant is warm and casual, befitting its resort location. You’ll feel at home within the traditional Spanish architecture with wood beamed ceilings, beautiful stone floors, stone fireplace, and ornamental iron elements throughout. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available and, in both, the atmosphere is lively and inviting.
Main Flaming Coffee | Courtesy LuxeListReviews.com
Just like the food to follow, you’ll find the modern alongside the traditional, starting with the supremely stylish Tequila bar. Indeed, La Hacienda is a true tequila lover’s paradise. There are over 200 varieties of the spirit available, made by 36 different producers from across Mexico. At nightly artisan tastings, and even tableside with the resident tequila sommelier, patrons learn how to appreciate the subtle differences between the types and flavors, educating and titillating their palate with the finest blanco, reposado and Anejo tequila available. For something delightfully different, try La Hacienda’s famousflaming creamed tequila-laden coffee concocted tableside in all of its fiery glory. It’s a spectacle and taste sensation that you’ll never forget.
Once you’ve warmed up nicely with a tasty tequila or a margarita, it’s time to move on to the food itself. You’ll find all of the Mexican favorites that you love, but many have a vibrant modern twist that elevates them to a sophisticated new level.
For starters, there is a wide choice of guacamoles or antajitos (“little cravings”). The guacamole, made tableside, is fresh and authentic—the sampler is an especially good option as it offers three uniquely flavored versions: pomegranate, spicy crab, and pepita.
There’s a very wide selection of taquiera available but, whichever you choose, you can be sure that it will be bursting with taste, and prepared and presented to perfection. There are tacos based around a variety of tasty proteins, including fresh Maine lobster, skirt steak, beef brisket, green chile chicken, slow roasted pork shoulder and barbacoa, each with its own set of components. This variety is representative of the menu on the whole, as every dish at La Hacienda is as exciting as it is expertly executed.
Courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The menu goes on to offer admirable versions of other Mexican food favorites like enchiladas, fajitas, soups and salads. The Enchiladas de Mariscos, for example, combines blue lump crab, shrimp, Mexican oaxaca cheese and a chile arbol cream sauce to produce a flavor sensation that’s powerful and sublime.
It’s the bold entrée selections I feel really set this restaurant apart from the pack. Some of the standouts include Costilla de Res with braised beef short rib, vegetable escabeche, crema fresca potato and chile-guava sauce; Grilled Ancho Lamb Spareribs with chipotle bbq, cucumber mint salad and corn on the cob; Wild Isles Sea Trout with grilled sustainable steelhead trout, quinoa a la Mexicana, poblano cream and oven-dried heirloom tomatoes; and Camarones Adobado with adobo shrimp, creamy poblano rice, achiote truffle butter sauce and pineapple plantain salsa.
Another great example of Chef Sandoval’s fusion approach to Mexican cuisine is the ‘Robalo Tempura’, which is comprised of tempura fried sustainable sea bass with savoy cabbage and a chile arbol remoulade. Here Mexican and Japanese cuisine merges with a French panache to create a taste sensation. Sea Bass is delicate, and it takes real skill to create this dish that delivers on taste without overpowering the delicate flavors of the fish itself.
Be sure to pair your entrée with one or more delicious sides, which are just as tasty as the main dishes themselves. My personal favorites are the sweet corn habanero slaw, fried plantains, and the creamy poblano rice, all of which are great accompaniments to any meal here.
Whether or not you’re staying at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, try to make your way to this haven of fresh, modern Mexican cuisine. One visit to La Hacienda and it becomes clear why the restaurant earned the distinction of being named the number one Mexican Restaurant in Arizona.
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***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
Long flights are synonymous with fatigue, discomfort, and boredom. The last thing you want to do is not pack your essentials. Sometimes over think it and you’re too rushed to think, at all. Well, today, we’ll do the thinking for you; but that doesn’t leave you off the hook. You have to plan ahead. You have to visualize your trip from start to finish and know what you will absolutely need. Jot down notes and back them up by taking a photo, just in case you lose your hard copy – OR use a mobile app, then email your notes to yourself, just in case you lose your phone.
A person who dons many hats, Shereen Collington is a budding filmmaker who dreams of becoming an Academy Award winning director, one day. With a penchant for black and white films, Collington’s tryst with filmmaking began at Collins College in Phoenix, Arizona in 2009.
Shereen is, also, a talented designer and her comic strip, Joppa, has earned her quite a fan following. Joppa, which means beautiful, is a colorful and whimsical strip which takes its inspiration from the Bible. In the Book of Acts, Shereen read about Tabitha of Joppa who was renowned in her community for bringing about a change in people’s lives. That was when her character “Joppa Dupree” came to life. In her comic, she presents the most mundane situations of life in a witty and amusing style, thereby impressing and motivating her readers .
