Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Panama Wrap Up...And Home We Go!

All in all this has been a pretty good visit.

The beach at the Royal Decameron was wide and excellent.

















It was our first experience in this country and we did not know what to expect. The flight from Canada to Panama on Transat was really excellent.

It was our first trip in the extra cost Club seats and from my view really worth looking at for travellers who want extra comfort and spectacular service.

The bus trip from the Panama airport to the Royal Decameron was long at a full two hours but efficiently handled.


Drink plenty of water on Panama golf courses because it's HOT.

















We got there late and hungry and our first experience at the buffet was not a good one. The food had hung around way to long and was tough and not tasty. Luckily that first experience did not lead to a pattern.

The Royal Decameron is huge and I recommend beach front accomodations all the way. But if you are further back there is a shuttle to carry you up and down the hills if you have difficulty walking. The shuttle can be irregular so most people walked...likely a good choice after full buffet or specialty restaurant meals.

The Royal Decameron has 8 specialty restaurants which is more than most all inclusives. Enjoy them all but I would not recommend beef menu items. I decided to try steak at my risk last night here at the Radisson Decapolis. Now that proved to be a good choice. As a corporate hotel for the most part, they really did serve exceptional meals even to us all-inclusives.

I enjoyed golfing at the Royal Decameron golf club...although you should know it gets hot pretty quickly down here. keep drinking lots of water. They do have water jugs on at least every second hole.

The decision to come to Panama City was a good one.

There's lots to see in CascoViejo, Old Panama.

We had a great day in old Panama, the UNESCO protected area within easy taxi distance from our hotel

Craftspeople at work in Old Panama...excellent gift options here.

I have nothing but good things to say about the Radisson Decapolis. Good location across from one of the malls. Good food, top notch service and rooms that match what you expect in most corporate properties.

The Radisson Decapolis is an excellent property in Panama City.


This is a city of skyscrapers!
We also went the causeway and enjoy the views and shopping at the duty free. Genuinely  low prices there for alcohol and other items.

A couple of last trips this morning to the BIG mall and we are on our way to the airport and the flight back to Canada.

Want to know more about Panama. Book your trip with us at Journeys/Renaissance travel. Call 204 942-5000.  I will be happy to talk with you and our agents will help you pu together the kind of holiday you want.






Dining inside the Radisson.
If you have travel questions email me at askjourneys@journeystravel.com and see travel tips and other questions and answers as welll as travel products at http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 9:29 AM  |  0 Comments

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Panama City...Absolutely Worth the Visit!


We spent today in Casco Viejo...Old Panama.


















Today we hired a taxi to take us to Casco Viejo, or old Panama as it is called, even though it is not the oldest part of Panama.

However it is the area with he UNESCO designation and it truly was an exceptionally interesting visit. For those who have been to Havana's old city, and isn't it all old, there are similarities.

Like Havana the future potential here for tourism is immense. But unlike Havana this area has moved much faster in restoring the historical buildings. Yes there are loads of them that are untouched but as we walked through the narrow streets, the impact of what has been done was tangible.


     One of the beautifully restored buildings in the Casco Viejo

We wondered around for a couple of hours and with sore feet under us, we decided it was time to stop for lunch.

We had been recommended a couple of places by our drive who, by the way, spent many years in Canada after his parents sent him to Montreal when he was young in order to escape the evil clutches of then dictator Noriega.

But wondering up and down the streets we lost sight of the ones he pointed our and decided to try La Forchetta, which we concluded might be good because it had white tableclothes and a bottle of wine on each table.


After a couple of hours of serious shopping for genuine local crafts, we were hungry


















Feel free to use this method of research on any of your future journeys. And trepidation we might have felt was lost with the first taste of our meals.

We ordered simply going with the safe Italian options we knew the best. But both the Spagetti Boulanese and the Lasagne we order may have been the best each of us has tasted. We got there shortly after noon and on one was in the restaurant so we still wondered about our choice.

Our homemade research method for finding a good restaurant worked.

Twenty minutes later the place was packed and we knew others were aware of its quality because from the discussions with the servers it was clear this was not their first visit.

The La Forchetta location Plaza Catedral, CI Septima y Pedro J Spsa  in the Casco Viejo. Pone 507 212-0051 http://www.laforchettapanama.com/

We had our drivers card so had the restaurant call him to pick us up. Since he spoke such good English we wanted him to be the one to take us down the causeway to sights as well as the duty free locations on the islands.

He proved to be an excellent guide as well as driver filling us in on a lot of history, including Noriega's old stomping grounds where he murdered hundreds.

If you want to hire him, his name is Ruben Lopez at Cell 507 6907-6730. I heartily recommend him.

It is hard to believe how modern Panama City is with skyscrapers to rival the world's biggest cities.

A theatre on one of the causeway islands hosts some of the finest performers, and new museum is under construction nearby, and hotels are popping up all the time.

This is clearly where the rich hang out as dozens of yachts are anchored in the island harbours.

With the Panama skyline as a backdrop dozens of yachts rest waiting for their owners

And in the city...particularly here at the Radison Decapolis where we are staying, the service is exemplary with smiles and English all over the place.

I try my best with my non Spanish and they switch to English immediately.

The same cannot be said about the rural area resorts where service as we know it is not yet instilled as a tourist imperative.

Choosing to visit Panama City for a coupleof days was the right thing to do for us.

Tomorrow we do head back home but we are both happy we chose this option offered by Transat Holidays. It has been a worthwhile discovery.

If you have questions about Panama call me at Renaissance Travel, talk to an agent at 204 942-5000 or email me at askjourneys@journeystravel.com  You can see most of my questions and answers on a variety of travel topics at http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 2:45 PM  |  0 Comments

Monday, February 27, 2012

Our Panama Journey...Continued!


Rae enjoys our last day on the beach at the Royal Decameron



















It was our choice to stay 5 nights at the Royal Decameron and then spend the last two in Panama City itself at the Radison Decapolis.

Our last day on the beach was a lazy one. We had all these plans about strolling outside the resort to experience a bar and restaurant called Woody's only a few hundred yards from our resort.

Owned by a Canadian it is supposed to be a sports and Canadianna mecca of shirts, hats, souvenirs and all other sorts of paraphenalia.

We were lazy and never got there to my regret since so many people who had been here raved about it and the couple who run it.

Our accomodations at the Resort

















We closed off our evening dining option at the Mediterranian restaurant and both had an excellent feed of Paella  loaded with shrimp, crab, and all sorts of other great tastes.

A view of the upper accomodations and the shuttle that takes you around the resort

















We did get a good chance to try a number of the specialty restaurants and, other than the beef menu items, we were very happy.

Again I had been warned and didn't listen.

I was told the chicken, fish, pork and other menu items are great but the beef is always tough. If you go take the advice I didn't and you will be happier for it.

The beef is not Canadian quality and they tend to overcook it. Even the rare steak I ordered one day was tough. Other than that you can really enjoy the food at the resort...and the beach and property make up for a lot of beef deficiency.

We did a live broadcast as promised yesterday. You will be able to hear it without commercials by Tuesday on http://www.journeystravelgear.com/ Just click on the travel show icon at the bottom.

We are quite happy we took the final two days here at the Decapolis because it does mean we will have a much shorter day of travel on Wednesday.

That extra couple of hours on the bus would have made for a tiring day considering the flight is about 6 hours and we get home after midnight.

We say goodbye to the resort and head for Panama City.


















After we got to the hotel here in Panama City we went directly across the street to the mall and spent a few dollars. It is a huge mall but relatively new and many of the stores are not yet opened. It is not a high end shopping outlet but has many of the national brands like Hilfiger and others.


The shopping mall is directly across the street, and connected to the Radisson Decapolis

Interestingly the food court is almost all North American franchise outlets like Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut, Cinnibon, MacDonalds, and other well worn names.



A mix of local and international brands are in the still not tenant complete mall
 
At the same time many of the stores are local grown outlets and we definitely found bargains on site.

Tomorrow we will visit the UNESCO protected 'old town' and do whatever else suits our fancy on our last day in this country.

If you have questions about Panama or any other destination, or other travel dilemma you may be facing email me at askjourneys@journeystravel.com I will answer your question and you will see both the question and answer published in my weekly column in the Winnipeg Free Press...delivery and online.


 Previous columns can also be found at http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 6:56 PM  |  0 Comments

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Broadcasting Live From Panama Today


Listen live at noon CST today for on location Panama Broadcast.


















Over the past few days I have had a chance to experience just a little bit of this country.

Luckily on a past journey we did sail through the famous canal on a cruise ship on a Caribbean South itinery.

We landed in Panama City only this past Wednesday, staying at the Royal Decameron a couple of hours bus ride from the airport.

Within minutes of the main lobby the golf course can be challenging.

















I have golfed a couple of games, walked and explored this resort, took loads of great beach shots and make ready to spend our last night here before leaving for a couple of days in Panama City tomorrow morning.

Today at noon I will be doing a live radio broadcast from the Royal Decameron on CJOB 68 in Winnipeg, online @ http://www.cjob.com/ then just click the listen live icon.

We will discuss the country, the region, and the property. This property has a fascinating history as former military baracks. Given its location on one of the best beach properties in the nation I surely cannot figure how much serious work they did in training.  At least the days off were likely more pleasant than any others anywhere in the world perhaps.

We'll talk Panama City, where tourists are coming from these days, (you will be surprised) and a bit about the outside vacation property investment that seems to be moving here.



The Royal Decameron is a perfect place for destination weddings.






































 So join us on the show.  Should you miss today's broadcast we will have it posted on line at our site without commercial interuption at  http://www.journeystravelgear.com/ in a day or so.  Just click onto the travel show icon at the bottom and select today's date.

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 6:05 AM  |  0 Comments

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Panama...Hot Days, Hot But Pleasant Nights!



The golf course is a quick shuttle ride from the main resort.
 
















What is the weather like in Panama? I have received this question over the past few days since I arrived in this country.

It is not hot according to the temperature, averaging about 27 degrees C every day. But the humidity takes it up to a feel like temperature of 33-36 C.



Destination Weddings are big business here.
 




















Nevertheless I have been able to golf the last couple of mornings without too much problem, although I would advise anyone, as I  did, to make sure they stay super hydrated.

We have had two wonderful meals in the specialty restaurants over the past two nights and look forward to experiencing two others tonight and tomorrow night before we head off to the city for a couple of evenings before our return.

The breakfast and lunch buffets are not as extensive as I have seen at some resorts but each day, in addition to the options on the tables are sufficient, they also create three or four specialty dishes served at a separate counter.

These should be starred as award winners because the sauces have been tremendous and the dishes have been unique.

Their are a number of options for guests staying at the Royal Decameron. We are staying at the main resort where the central dining facilities are located, usually around one of the three main lobbies. Yes there are three lobbies because the property is that big.


Stay at the main resort or at a golf villa along one of the holes.

The other major option is to stay in one of the golf villas along the golf course. Staying there gives you complimentary golf. They are ordinary rooms and he meals are all served at the main villa. A shuttle takes you from the golf accomodations to the main dining rooms.

I had to pay for golf because I am at the main resort. Price including cart was $70 on weekdays and $100 on weekends.

The golf course is well designed and with loads of water holes, can be a challenge.

One of the most unual sights at a golf course is here, where hundreds of ducks sit on the water as vultures watch over them waiting for one that is injured or dies.

Locals say the ducks must be Canadian because they come as the Canadians do in late fall and leave with us in spring.


Vultures wait for troubled prey over hundreds of 'Canada Ducks'

Destinations have become huge business for sunspot resorts everywhere and here at the Royal Decameron is no exception.

Every day brides and grooms make ready to take their vows in neatly designed beachside mini wedding chapels.

They then gather in one of the dining rooms, set aside for them, to celebrate the night away.

Listen tomorrow at noon CST to http://www.cjob.com/ or live at 68 CJO:B in Winnipeg.





You will be able to listed to the show sans commercials by next week by clicking travel shows at http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 5:55 PM  |  0 Comments

Friday, February 24, 2012

Royal Decameron...On the Best Beach in Panama

Ahh! The setting sun is not hard to take, he must be thinking.
















There are some exceptional beaches in the world. This certainly is one of them.

The Royal Decameron in Panama takes up a huge stretch of what is regarded as one of the finest beach fronts in the country.

Amazing long and wide beach at Royal Decameron

Apparently safe for swimming with young children frollicking in it all day. Dozens of protective huts to keep you shady during the hotest part of the day.

A view of a small mountain (mountain may be stretching it but it does provide a nice puctuation to the ocean) in a few kilometres off the shore attracts boats of all kinds.

Again today we have experience the best Banana Daquari mix we have ever tasted. No pre-mix here. They start with fresh peeled bananas, loads of rum, milk, ice and good blend and a good day turns into a great one.

This is an expansive property with three story walk-ups (yes I said walk ups...after the Daquaris a walk does us good) dot the beach front and the hillside behind them.

But you can also stay along the golf course a short way away and get shuttled as often as you wish to the restaurtants and bars that tend to be near the beach as well.

Destination weddings are common. I have now seen three and I know there are many more.

The Royal Decameron is not a new property so needs to be compared on its own merits. The rooms are very nice, the beach views are great (I recommend the beach view accomodations even though they may cost a little more) and the few meals we have had so far have been just fine.

I had a really tasty fish meal last night and have found the fish options to be the best so far.

Call 942-5000 if you wish to book and come in to Journeys ahead of time for the finest in beach and resort wear.




There are loads of pools to chose from at this resort.


For other travel products view some of our options at http://www.journeystravelgear.com/

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 5:44 PM  |  0 Comments

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Panama...Transat Club Seats Are Great Option!


















Transat Holidays and their sister company seem to have a lock on the Panama destination from Western Canada with loads of flights and non-stops from both Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

This is my first trip to this country and today's look at our surroundings are suggesting it is worthy of its ratings.

We arrived early in the evening because of a very sensible departure time from Winnipeg. As our transport bus passed through the outskirts of Panama City I was overwhelmed by the skyscrapers that greeted us kilometre after kilometre.

We will spend a couple of days in the city before returning next Wednesday. We will be staying at the Radisson which is directly across from a megamall we were able to see as we drove by it.

It will be a good way to close out this journey of discovery.

This was also the first time I experienced the Club Class section of Air Transat. The service was what you would expect from a first class section of any airline...and the dining options were exceptional.

The meals we had were as good as any I have consumed on any airline...and I have been fortunate to have travelled on many in all cabins.

It was a first class trip all the way.

The transfer to the buses was orderly and efficient. I paniced a bit when I saw my golf clubs being moved to a different bus. Then I noticed all sports gear and larger bags were being moved.

I relaxed and everything arrived fine and delivered directly to our room as we dined.

It is a fairly long two hour trip from the airport to the Royal Decameron resort where we are staying.  By the time we arrived the fine lunch we had been served was long gone and most people on the bus were happy a buffet restaurant was still open for us to go to immediately after we received our keys and documents, and before we even went to our rooms.



A good sleep and we begin our vacation today with a beautiful morning sun greeting us creating a soft reddish tinge to the ocean, sand beaches, and pools we would be spending our time beside. 

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 2:22 PM  |  0 Comments

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Name must be identical to that on passport

The name on my passport is slightly different than the shortened version of the name people call me every day. I booked my trip under the name I use. Could that cause me a problem at airport check-in?

This is a question heard by airlines, travel agents and tour operators every day.


What's in a name? To all those people who will be checking you in, a lot.


You need to change your booking as soon as possible to the exact names as they show on your passport. If you have a middle name on your passport it is important that is recorded in the tour operator booking as well.

Tour companies and travel agents report significant frustration from people who don't think about this in advance. Often because passports are used infrequently, the traveller may not even be aware of which names the passport indicates.

As people are booking their holidays, it is best to have the passport information on hand. There are cases where people have been denied boarding for erroneous information, and many countries like the United States may offer no leeway whatsoever.

Charter airlines are not about to allow you boarding if they feel there is any chance you could be denied entry to the country to which you are travelling. They are obliged in this situation to return you to your home country immediately. This is not something they are not willing to risk.

So when you are booking your trip anywhere, remember your name...well at least the name that is officially on your passport.

And before you travel if you are looking for travel gear that is the best in the business go to http://www.journeystravelgear.com/
posted by That Travel Guy @ 5:55 AM  |  0 Comments