San Francisco and Napa Valley- Guest Blogger

Please welcome guest blogger “C’est Beth.” Beth is a professor with a passion for travel. You can learn more about her travel and experience at her blog, C’est Beth.

San Francisco, Napa, and Sonoma: A First Visit

As a language professor, I have traveled internationally for the past 25 years to experience the languages, countries, and cultures of the languages that I teach. However, I quickly learned on my first visit to San Francisco, Napa, and Sonoma that some of the best-kept travel secrets can be found on the “left coast” of the United States.

Flying into San Francisco is actually a treat in itself, especially for those who are aviation buffs. The airport is very well-designed so that you can move from terminal to terminal with ease using the AirTrain. Along the way, from the terminals to the rental car stop, one can enjoy seeing a variety of aircraft liveries and models. My fiancé and I especially enjoyed seeing the numerous Boeing 747 planes parked at the gates. There is also an Aviation Library and Museum for those with more time to spend at the airport. The city of San Francisco is also one of the most beautiful cities we have ever visited. From our room on the 26th floor of the Hilton Financial District, we had an unbelievable view of the city and the bay. During our two days in San Francisco, we took in as many of the top 10 must-dos as possible, including a cable car ride, crooked Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Chinatown.

While in the Napa/Sonoma area, we stayed at the Embassy Suites in Napa. For those who may be traveling on a budget but enjoy inclusive accommodations, this is an ideal property, as each guest receives a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and Manager’s Reception daily as part of the reasonable room rate. The property also has an indoor pool/Jacuzzi, a cozy lobby with a fireplace, a beautiful center courtyard that four swans and a few ducks call home, a full-service restaurant, and a bar. Downtown Napa is also within walking distance.

We were fortunate enough to enjoy wine tastings at three incredible, but perhaps not as well-known, family wineries in Napa and Sonoma. The first tasting was at Bell’s Wine Cellars in Yountville, a 15-minute drive from Napa. The owner, Anthony Bell, a native South African, produces a nice selection of California wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as our favorite, a delightful 2006 South African Sauvignon Blanc. Tastings range from $15-$250 per person.

Our second tasting was an hour’s drive away in Geyserville (Sonoma County) at Trentadue Winery. While there, we sampled a variety of red, white, and port wines while speaking with the winemaker, Miro Tcholakov, who stepped away from his busy bottling to welcome us. My favorite Trentadue wine was the 2004 La Storia Zinfandel Alexander Valley Estate, while my fiancé enjoyed the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley. The winery also makes its own olive oil. Tastings at Trentadue range from $5 to $20 per person.

The highlight of our trip was our tasting and tour at Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards and Ghost Horse Vineyards, located about 30 minutes north of Napa near the beautiful town of St. Helena. If traveling by car, I suggest using a GPS device as finding this hidden jewel can be tricky. We were greeted warmly by founder and owner Todd Anderson and his Director of Hospitality and Direct Sales, Dave Bryant, and graciously welcomed into the very home-like tasting area. Tastings of Anderson’s Conn Valley wines are $25, while Ghost Horse tastings are $250. All are well worth the price and the fees can be applied towards a wine purchase. The red, white, and Late Harvest wines we tasted each possessed a unique depth of character and complexity that we had never experienced before. Our favorites were the 2005 and 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2004 Ghost Horse Cabernet Sauvignon. We also enjoyed listening to Todd speak to us passionately about how to make and taste good wines, as well as our personalized tour of the caves, where we were able to see and learn about wines in various stages of oak barrel fermentation. After our visit, we had a wonderful lunch in St. Helena at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, also a St. Helena must-do.

It was with a hint of sadness that we departed Northern California for our respective homes on the “right coast.” We did indeed leave our hearts in San Francisco, Napa, and Sonoma, but we plan to return as soon as possible to experience, learn, and taste again.

Find cheap flights to San Francisco on OneTravel!

Monday Morning Memories- Las Vegas

Several years ago I took my first business trip to Las Vegas. It was the first of many trips to Vegas. I was still young in my career and learning the ropes of traveling alone. I was so excited to see Sin City! I walked up and down the Strip, took the monorail from resort to resort, and meandered through several casino floors too scared and naive to have a clue how to gamble.

I had heard about the bright lights and amazing shows, but didn’t have much money to buy a ticket to a fancy headliner show. So I went to the hotel (a hotel I won’t name since it has since been razed and replaced) concierge and asked for help. She mentioned a few shows to me, asking what my “level of taste” was. Not having a clue what that meant, I told her I wanted “lots of glitter, glam, and showgirls.” That was a mistake. At first she showed me a completely topless revue. Who offers a young single woman tickets to a topless revue?? I said no. Next she showed me a too family friendly show. I said no, I wanted something more interesting than that. She showed me a show featuring ice skaters, a singer, a motorcycle that would do flips, and it had “lots of glitter, glam, and showgirls.” She assured me it was walking distance from my hotel. She did mention, “this one is very tastefully done.”  I bought a ticket and couldn’t wait to go!

Later that evening I got all dressed up for my first Vegas show. (I come from the old school way of thinking where you still get dressed up for a big show.) I started walking to the “nearby hotel.” That was where I started to seriously doubt the concierge. If by “nearby” she meant, “Our hotel is the first one on this end of the Strip, and the show is at the hotel at the furthest opposite of the Strip,” then yes, it was nearby. In my high heels and fancy dress, I walked the not so short distance, just barely making it on time.

I was so excited to see that the concierge had gotten me the best seat in the house. My table (a table for 4 where I sat alone) was front and center where I could see everything. And oh did I see everything. The stage had runways that extended out beyond the stage, into the audience, behind my seat. Anyone sitting in that front section within the runways had to be seated early, and would not be able to get up and leave at all during the show. We were rather trapped in.

The show started out with a tiger, moved to ice skaters, then a singer, a former Olympian performed some death defying acrobatics, and then the topless dancers came out. Again, I ask you, who sends a single girl alone to a topless show?? And why on earth did that perfectly enjoyable show, up till that minute, need topless dancers? Suddenly, I was completely uncomfortable. I was sitting at a table alone, in the front row, while topless women shook their money makers at me.

I wanted OUT!

Feeling pretty convinced that Lady Luck had passed me over on this trip to Vegas, my feet aching from walking over a mile in heels, and now watching a show that was making me gag, I started contemplating ways to get out of that theater. I was trapped inside the runways, but there had to be a way to get out. Suddenly, an ice skater (also suddenly topless) fell down. She was obviously injured badly. She wasn’t going to be walking off the stage alone, with the bones in her leg going in the wrong directions. After the audience had gasped appropriately, the show quickly drew the stage curtains.

I saw my chance to escape. With the theater still dark, I slid out of my chair, crawled across the floor, under the runway, startling several audience members, and made it to the aisle. I darted out the door, and quickly made my way out of the hotel. Like all good Vegas casinos, the place was built like a maze to keep people in. Next thing I know, I’m completely turned around inside the casino, completely confused about my whereabouts. Ready to just give up, I sat down at a slot machine. I put a dollar in, just to kill time. Moments later I had two dollars. And then I was up to five dollars in credits. I cashed out. I moved to another slot machine. I put my five dollars in. And left the casino ten minutes later with negative one dollar.

I’ve since learned my lesson. Buy your Vegas show tickets in advance. Pay for the big headlining shows. And make your own luck!

Travel Tips- Renewing your passport

Is it time to renew your passport? Do you need to do it in person? Or just send in a form? Do you have to get your picture taken again? Do you get to keep the old passport with all of its stamps in it?

If your most recent U.S. Passport
- is undamaged and can be submitted with your application
- was issued when you were age 16 or older
- was issued within the last 15 years
- was issued in your current name, or you can legally document your name change (for instance marriage)

then you can apply for a renewal by mail using form DS-82.

If you can’t say yes to each of those items though, you will need to apply in person. You can find the State Department instructions here for this and for first-time applications.

How long does a renewal take? As of February 2009, it is taking approximately 3 weeks for a renewal. Passports can be expedited for a fee in about 2 weeks.

And yes, you will need a new picture!

Don’t forget, before traveling anywhere that requires a U.S. passport, check with the State Department for travel advisories.

Barbados

Barbados is more than just another Caribbean island.

Barbados is an island with an incredible history that dates back as far as 1200 AD! Visitors to the island can tour historic remains and learn more about the English colonization and “real” stories of pirates of the Caribbean.

There are the submarine rides to tour the beautiful reefs and explore the underwater world. Or for something truly unique you can snorkle and swim with the turtles!

Did you know Barbados considers itself the sport capital of the Caribbean? You can watch or even play cricket, polo, kayaking, or a dozen other sports.

But if you choose to go to Barbados for the tropical beaches and world-famous resorts, we’ll understand. And with fares on sale to Barbados right now, we’ll understand if you want to go now!

Monday Morning Memories- Monterrey, Mexico

My first real trip out of the USA that I can remember (because I don’t count 5 hours in Niagara Falls, Canada or living as a toddler in the South Pacific) was to Monterrey, Mexico. My friends and I drove to Laredo, Texas (where I discovered that I never want to go through that kind of customs check point again) to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and on down a few hours into real Mexico. It was shortly after 2 am that the air conditioning in the Buick we were driving in gave up the ghost. Being hot and sweaty would be a major memory of this trip for me.
I didn’t know what to expect from Monterrey. I had been told it was a large city and would not be primitive. However, I would want to avoid drinking the water and should wear slippers in the shower. I didn’t know what to think of those commandments, but followed them anyway.

We spent three very touristy days in the town of Monterrey. We shopped. We hiked. We watched drunk men sing in the square.

And then we left Monterrey for a little town in the heart of Mexico called Cola de Caballo. The name of the town translates to “horse tail.” It was aptly named for a waterfall that resembled a horse’s tail. We drove to a small resort in this small town. From there we took a horseback ride up to the falls.

It was there that I saw my life flash before my eyes.

Our horses were quite familiar with the trail. They clearly knew the way and couldn’t be bothered to listen to the commands of their riders. More than a few of these poor little animals looked starved and tired. But for $10 we hadn’t expected much more. The ride up to the falls was picturesque and enjoyable. My horse trod obediently up the path. This freed me up (an experienced rider myself) to take pictures leisurely without having to hold the reins. The falls were worth the journey. My friends and I were glad to have made the trip.

And then we came back down the mountain. What had seemed like a narrow path up a hill before was suddenly a treacherous and terrifyingly steep trail down a mountain. But again our horses knew the way. I should have known better than to have trusted this “resort” when they tried to convince me the donkey they had offered me was a horse. I should have known better than to ride a horse who’s ribs I could count. I should have known better than to think there wouldn’t be snakes in the woods in Mexico. I just should have known better.

We came around a particularly scary bend in the trail, my friends all ahead of me, with me and my forlorn horse bringing up the rear. There were branches hanging low above our heads, and many times we had to duck to avoid hitting our heads (attempting to steer our horses away from the branches was a futile activity). The rider and horse in front of me ducked to avoid yet another low branch. And that was when I saw it. The biggest, longest, greenest, and flat out scariest snake I had ever seen was dangling off the branch. My friend was oblivious to the snake. I was not. And unfortunately for me, neither was my horse.

My horse and I saw the snake at about the same time. I was paralyzed with fear. My horse, unfortunately, was not. And there on that steep and terrifying hill my horse bucked and reared and started stamping around wildly.

The snake fell from the tree and on to the trail. I am not exaggerating when I say that snake was bigger than me and looked like it wanted me for lunch.

My horse bolted and ran up the hill. I have never gripped to anything so tightly before in my life. And I hope life never requires that I hold on so tightly to anything ever again. The horse ran wildly up the trail and then off the trail. I was knew I was going to die. I saw a quick chance to jump off the horse, and for a brief moment almost did it. But then I remembered there were snakes as big as a horse in those woods. I stayed on the horse. It is nothing short of a miracle, or possibly a testament to just how terrified of snakes I am, that in spite of the horse’s bucking, I managed to stay on that horse.

After what felt like an eternity and a lot of screaming, a guide on a horse appeared to calm and settle the horse. He pulled us out of the woods and back on to the trail. We slowly began the descent back down the mountain. As we rounded the same terrifying bend, I could see the snake in a different tree down below the cliff. Unfortunately, I could also see the snake had friends back in the tree above the trail. I was petrified. I couldn’t breathe. The last thing on earth I was going to be capable of doing was ride beneath that tree. For better or worse, my horse was not given that information.

He plodded right below the low hanging branch. My friends had all ducked to go below it. I practically hung my entire body off the side of the horse to avoid the branch. I also held my breath and cried the entire 10 feet.

We made it to the bottom of the mountain, most of my friends none the wiser to my near death escapade. I was still trembling and barely able to dismount my horse. Only the guide that had witnessed my terrifying ride through the woods was sympathetic or helpful. He didn’t speak a word of English, and I didn’t understand a word of his Spanish. But it didn’t matter at that moment. As far as I was considered, he had saved my life.

So Juan, wherever you are, thank you. I’ll never forget you.

Walking Through Florence

Please welcome guest blogger, Katerina, from the website Florence by Katerina.

Starting in Piazza del Duomo, I catch myself staring at the huge masterpiece set in the historic center. It sticks out like a beautiful jewel. I lose my ability to speak while my guide explains to us how Filippo Brunelleschi constructed it. I wonder how someone could have had this vision so unfathomable, beautiful and actually create it. Made the wheels in my head start to turn and shift to thinking that Florence is where all dreams come true.

My Disney World.

Let’s stroll down Via dei Calzaioli to Piazza della Signoria, shall we? Taking one step slower than the next, zig-zagging through tourists, window-shopping to our desires(shoes, jewelry, shoes), stopping for some Gelato if we so choose to. What a way to start our first day in remarkable Florence!

During the Summer months the main streets of the historic center can be jam-packed with tour groups. As we all know, the economy isn’t allowing many Americans to take their Florence vacation like they were planning but a few will still be traveling, over 4 million of us this year, says Rick Steves. The economy will not stop the travel junkies from giving up visiting where the Renaissance still thrives.

Returning to Florence… Piazza della Signoria explodes with people and culture as we reach the end of Via dei Calzaioli. Our eyes walk up the long tower that is the Palazzo Vecchio, where the Medici family created their empire. The matching blue sky brings heaven to us right down on earth. Soaking in culture, language and the busy atmosphere of the piazza around us. The Neptune fountain sits in the piazza, a popular meeting spot and backdrop for a photo.

A plaque with an inscription of what took place on May 23, 1498 on these cobblestones lays in the exact center. A memorial which a lot of people disregard. Girolamo Savonarola was burned at the stake, in true Salem witch style, for going against the Church of Rome. Savonarola was a preacher who was known for burning books and preaching about the practice of virtues. He was not trying to fight the Church of Rome rather he wanted to correct what was wrong with the Church. The Pope won and had him executed in Piazza della Signoria in front of his patrons and followers. Though sad and horrible, Savonarola’s story is yet another reason I find this city enchanting. He never gave up on what he believed was right. He pursued his dreams, yet in those days people couldn’t let him be even if they believed in something the norm did not.

The entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio has a very famous man standing guard, the David. Obviously, it is a fake one, the original is polished and gawked at in the Accademia near Piazza San Marco. This replica David was placed here in 1910 to replace the real David that was removed from Piazza della Signoria in 1873. Focusing our attention towards the river, the crossroads beckons us, in the Uffizi Gallery or a slight left heading towards Via dei Neri.

Which way feels right? I feel the momentum building. Onwards down the corridor of the Uffizi. Where statues of famous Florentines were placed like an army, standing at attention. Exuding the traditions and culture of Florence from each gaze. The Arno river approaches us on the other side. Crossing the street very cautiously as motorinos like to buzz up fast behind us. We find the popular spot of looking to the right at the Ponte Vecchio. Then turning left we can gaze up at Piazzale Michelangelo. So much to see. So much to absorb.

As the crowds start to gather around us, I feel it is time to find the most secluded piazza of Florence. Which gives me the gift of concentrating on my own thoughts without the distraction of daily life. Uprooting us from the hustle of the city, I want to bring you to my most favorite place in Florence. Located off Borgo Santi Apostoli, you will know when you have arrived. It opens into a small, quiet, deserted piazza with a touch of the modern world across from it. Piazza del Limbo is so incredibly special to me. My art and architecture teacher brought my fellow classmates and I to this very spot in 2002. Coming at a time when the church was unfortunately and typically closed, Vera said this church ‘is one of the oldest in all of Florence’, lived through the flood of 1966, and if ever I had a chance to visit it, I should. I followed her advice the next time I arrived in Florence in 2005, I made my way to the heart of the church that seemed to be a treasure I had finally uncovered.

How right she was!

It is a magical church that speaks to my soul each time I set foot inside. I have never had such a transformation and immediate feeling of contentment in any place until Santi Apostoli Church. I made it a ritual to visit the church as often as I could whenever I was in Florence. I lit candles, revisited some frescoes that have been restored, said prayers for loved ones, and felt rejuvenated each time I walked outside onto the cobblestones. I always had a new-found hope in myself and where my life was headed. Sant’ Ambrogio is another area that carries my heart. I have met new friends in Piazza Sant’ Ambrogio before. There is the Sant’ Ambrogio market that is bustling always during the early mornings and weekends. Not as large as the San Lorenzo market but has just as big of a heart.

One gorgeous August day, Manon and I took a nice needed walk around Sant’ Ambrogio. Manon became a fast friend while I was her roommate for only 3 weeks this past summer. Manon is from Montpellier and there was something about her that I was drawn to instantly. It could have been her same knowledge of Italian that assisted us both to improve our language skills, or the fact that she let me live in her room for one week more without hesitation. That day in the market we strolled through the fresh produce, smelling the flowers that were basking in the sun was incredibly special. Conversing about life and love, shopping and shoes.

We found ourselves hungry so we went to the first little lunch table we saw. Right inside the market, to escape the humid sun we sat and enjoyed an authentic, delicious lunch. San Niccolò is a quiet area on the Oltrarno that comes to life at night. With chic and trendy aperitifs at Zoe and Negroni to secluded little restaurants like BevoVino and Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò. The selections are endless. If you happen to make your way to the Oltrarno, BevoVino is one place that cannot be missed. Their simple, freshly made dishes are one of a kind, authentic Tuscan. The friendly staff makes the experience and an added bonus catch a glimpse of the jazz trio that plays every night as an ending to your romantic meal.

All these piazza’s, streets in Florence really bring your back to what is truly Florentine culture. All the big landmarks, museums are well and good, but what about the little streets like Borgo Santi Apostoli, Via San Niccolò. Don’t forget the blood of Florence runs through all the streets, alleys, and deadends. See if you can feel the heart beat of this magnificent city like I can. Step out of your comfort zone and get lost. Explore. Live. And talk to the locals. If I had a choice I would settle in an apartment on Borgo Santi Apostoli. The street, although connected to the very busy Via Por Santa Maria, it is surprisingly quiet. Perhaps drawing from the solitude of Piazza del Limbo, softly honoring the sleeping babies put to rest below the church’s stones.

Did You Know?- Munich Airport

The world’s top airports are taking their facilities to a higher plane.The Kempinski Hotel at Munich Airport, that was recently named the best venue of its kind in Europe (for the fourth consecutive year) by air services evaluator Skytrax, spacious and highly efficient, speeding passengers between terminals while delivering everything from massage and spa treatments to fine dining and adding spaces for passengers to dine, shop, shower, entertain their children, drink in civilized surroundings and relax before flights.

Monday Morning Memories- Amsterdam

I have traveled many places around Europe and most of them I want to return to someday. But there is a whole world waiting for me out there, and I don’t plan to do the same city twice until I have seen everything else in this world first. With one exception.

Amsterdam!

I loved every single minute I spent in Amsterdam. I was only able to spend about 12 hours there and it wasn’t nearly enough. From the Rijksmuseum, to the shopping, to the canals, to the everything! I loved it all.

I appreciated the street signs in different languages that kept me from getting lost. I appreciated the clean streets and city walks. I watched with jealousy as people rode by on bicycles. I comfortably walked along the sidewalks and cobblestone roads, never once worried about my safety. (I should mention I avoided the red light district.)

I’ve never been much for art museums (see my feelings on visiting the Louvre below). But I was captivated by the art of Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum, all the Dutch masters, and found myself purchasing all the Delft pottery I could afford to carry home with me.

Before visiting Amsterdam it had never really occured to me that the people on the Mayflower that came to the New Land, were rebels that were escaping something back home. But when I saw the art work from that time period, and witnessed the culture and city, I began to realize how brave and determined they were to leave. When I saw the old churches, the stark and bare furnishings, and really saw how the culture prevented individualism and growth, I understood what would lead someone to give up their home and escape to an unknown frontier.

Amsterdam was memorable and beautiful in my eyes. I can’t wait for my second trip!

Guest Blogger- Oaxaca, Mexico

Welcome to our first guest blogger, Chris Christensen from the popular travel blog and podcast, Amateur Traveler. Chris writes to us while traveling across Mexico.

Welcome Back to Oaxaca

Oaxaca (pronounced wa-hawk-a) Mexico was a popular tourist destination in southern Mexico until a teacher’s strike in 2006 and the resulting government crack down left the remnants of burned out buses in its once vibrant Zocolo (city square ). Tourists stopped coming. If you were unaware of the trouble Oaxaca has had in the last few years you certainly would not know it to look at the city now. It has rebounded to its former charm and grace. Many tourists have returned but still below the numbers that Oaxaca had seen and will undoubtedly see again. That combined with low cost air fares may make this the perfect time to explore this beautiful city.

Oaxaca is quick flight (or a 6 hour bus ride) south of Mexico City in an agricultural area. With that fresh supply of food Oaxaca may be best known for its food including coffee, chocolate, mezcal and molé. Molé may be the food most readily associated with Oaxaca. The best known of the seven different molés in Oaxaca is the molé negro which combines unsweetened cocoa and chiles into a complex flavorful sauce.

Oaxaca is also known for the crafts produced by its many indigenous inhabitants including pottery and jewelry. One of the best places to find crafts according to travel writer Sarah Menkedick, who lived in Oaxaca during the turbulent times in 2006 and has recently returned to the city, is the Sunday market at the nearby town of Tlacolula. You can grab a bus or a taxi collectivo from Oaxaca. Think of a taxi collectivo like an airport shuttle that makes different stops for its passengers heading in roughly the same direction. It can be a third the price of a private taxi and can provide you with new friends.

Oaxaca itself has numerous markets as well where you can find crafts, produce, as well as small restaurants that serve prepared foods like carne asada, tomales, soups, etc. The city also boasts a number of upscale restaurants.

Besides shopping and eating Oaxaca does offer a number of worthy sites like the gilded church of Santo Domingo and the museum adjacent to it that has artifacts from the long history of the region. For real history buffs a trip up to the top of a nearby hill to see the ruins of Monte Alban is a must. Monte Alban was the home for the Zapotec people for around 13 centuries and is a Unesco site. It was the first planned city in the Americas. The Zapotec culture was a matriarchy. If the women then cooked like the current women of Oaxaca that might easily explain why the women were in charge.

A perfect day at Oaxaca has to end at the Zocolo where there will undoubtedly be music and a carnival atmosphere with locals and tourists alike. So sit in a café and enjoy the people watching of a warm Oaxacan evening. Nothing else will put quite the exclamation mark on the idea that Oaxaca is back and ready to impress.

Chris Christensen has a travel blog and podcast at http://AmateurTraveler.com which was recently nominated for a Lonely Planet Travel Blog Award. You can also follow Chris on Twitter at Twitter.com/chris2x .

Did You Know- the 787 Boeing Dreamliner

The new 787 Boeing Dreamliner was revealed on 7/8/07. The new 787 is a mid-sized, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner currently under development by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 787-8 Dreamliner will carry 210 – 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles, while the 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 – 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles. A third 787 family member, the 787-3 Dreamliner, will accommodate 290 – 330 passengers and be optimized for routes of 2,500 to 3,050 nautical miles.

In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 will provide airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance. The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today’s similarly sized airplane. It will also travel at speeds similar to today’s fastest wide bodies, Mach 0.85. Airlines will enjoy more cargo revenue capacity.

Passengers will also see improvements with the new airplane, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience.