Tag: TRIPS & EXPERIENCES

Hiking The Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop (Carmel Valley Ranch)

California, Hyatt, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

One of my favorite things about my Carmel Valley Ranch stay – and there were many – was the awesome on-property hiking trails. Perhaps the overall best sampling of these trails is the Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop. Hiking The Huff ‘N’ Puff & Horseshoe Trail Loop (Carmel Valley Ranch) Here’s the Trail […]

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Hiking The Thousand Island Lake Loop – With Ediza Lake (Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA)

California, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

It’s been called by many, “the very best trail in the Sierras”. I’d characterize it as perhaps the very best 3 day/2 night backpacking trip in the Sierras. What trail am I talking about? The Thousand Island Loop Trail of course. Hiking The Thousand Island Lake Loop With Ediza Lake (Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA) Map […]

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Review: Sky Hub Lounge East, ICN International Airport (Seoul, South Korea)

Lounge, Review, Seoul, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

After a long-haul flight from LAX, I landed at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport (ICN), where I promptly consulted with my American Express app to find a lounge to pass the time during our 2-hour layover to Nha Trang, Vietnam. I found an open lounge called, “Sky Hub Lounge (East)” so we headed over and […]

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Hiking The Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail At Cape Point (Cape Town, South Africa)

Tour, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

Hiking The Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail At Cape Point (Cape Town, South Africa) As part of our tour down to South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, we had a chance to step out and check out a wonderful little trek, the Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail at Cape Point. About The Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail At Cape Point: Editor’s […]

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Visiting The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Cape Town, South Africa)

Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

Cape Town, South Africa has more than its fair share of “must see attractions”. With that said, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden truly is something you don’t want to miss. Visiting The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Cape Town, South Africa) Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series on my trip to South Africa. […]

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Hiking The Panorama Point Trail Loop [Via The JMT] (Yosemite National Park, CA)

California, National Park, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

In terms of which trail is “the best day hike in Yosemite National Park”, Half Dome may get all the press, but I’d argue the best day hike in Yosemite is easily the Panorama Point Loop Trail. It is quite simply, as others have noted, “the ultimate Yosemite day hike” (H/T yosemitehikes.com). Hiking The Panorama […]

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Visiting Mission San Juan Capistrano (San Juan Capistrano, California)

California, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

As a Californian, I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never visited any of the historic California Missions. I finally got the chance to correct that oversight on a recent family trip (on the way back from San Diego), when we decided to stop by Mission San Juan Capistrano. Visiting Mission San Juan Capistrano (San Juan […]

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Review: La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Palm Springs, CA)

California, Credit Cards, hilton, Travel, travel hacking, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

Palm Springs has long been known as one of the paramount destinations in SoCal. I’m pretty sure that an annul weekend getaway to Palm Springs is a mandatory legal requirement for residents of Los Angeles. And if it’s not, then it darn well should be. On my latest trip out to “the desert”, I had […]

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Hiking The Adventure Loop Trail At The Living Desert Zoo|Garden (Palm Springs, CA)

California, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

On my first trip out to The Living Desert Zoo|Gardens in many years, I rediscovered a true gem of a zoological park. I also discovered that the park had developed its own trail system on the extreme east end of the park (near Bighorn Mountain). Naturally, I had to at least check it out. Hiking […]

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Visiting The Living Desert Zoo|Gardens (Palm Springs, CA)

California, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

When last I visited The Living Desert Zoo|Gardens (sometime in the late 80’s), it was actually called “The Living Desert Museum“. Then, as now, I had a keen interest in herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians), and in my memory, the Living Desert Museum had an amazing collection of desert reptiles. So I wondered, […]

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Hiking The Round Valley Trail Loop To The Wellman Divide, Mt. San Jacinto State Park (Palm Springs, CA)

California, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

Years ago, I summited Mt. San Jacinto in one day via the Marian Mountain Trail, and let me tell you, that thing kicked my @$$. Since then, I’ve been meaning to return to try something a little less strenuous – riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to explore the hiking trails East of the peak. […]

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Review: Hyatt Place San Diego/Vista-Carlsbad (San Diego, CA)

California, Hyatt, Review, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

After my previous review on the Hyatt House San Diego/Carlsbad, I’m keeping the “vanilla” Hyatt hotel theme going with the Hyatt Place San Diego/Vista-Carlsbad. Let me be clear, “vanilla” hotels are not a bad thing. In fact, I’d argue that choosing a vanilla hotel is a great way to maximize your points in terms of […]

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Review: Hyatt House San Diego/Carlsbad (San Diego, California)

California, Hyatt, Travel, travel hacking, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

On a recent weekend road-trip to San Diego to visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we needed a quick place to stay for the night that wouldn’t eat a ton of our World of Hyatt points. We found just the spot, the Hyatt House San Diego/Carlsbad. But was it any good? Review: Hyatt House […]

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Visiting And Hiking The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve During A Super Bloom (Lancaster, CA)

California, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

The word “heavenly” isn’t quite adequate as description for a California Poppy Super Bloom. This rare event happens only about once every 10 years, so when it happens it’s a major event. Visiting And Hiking The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve During A Super Bloom (Lancaster, CA) Editor’s Note: This article is part of my […]

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Review: New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Hyatt, Las Vegas, Mlife, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

If you have a Chase World of Hyatt credit card, then you already know you get a free night annually just for being a card member. What you may not know is that this free annual night can be redeemed for maximum value (15,000 points) at only three hotels Category 4 hotels in in Las […]

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24 Hours In Brussels – A Walking Tour Of Brussels (Brussels, Belgium)

brussels, Europe, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

I’ve always believed the best way to really see and know a city is to just “get out there” and walk the city streets. Not all cities are walkable. Fortunately for us, Brussels is extremely walkable. With that said, I want to share my walking tour and some of the amazing highlights I saw along […]

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Review: Luxembourg And Dinant Tour – Part II – Dinant [Expedia] (From Brussels, Belgium)

brussels, Expedia, Review, Tour, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of this tour at Luxembourg City. As we drove back to Belgium, I fell asleep on the 1 hour and 45 minute bus ride to Dinant as we traveled the winding forest roads of the Ardennes. When I awoke and I saw Dinant, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Review: […]

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Review: Luxembourg And Dinant Tour – Part I – Luxembourg [Expedia] (From Brussels, Belgium)

Europe, Expedia, Review, Tour, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

During my stay in Brussels, I was researching things to do in Belgium (from my room at The Hotel.), when it downed on me that Luxembourg was doable via a day-trip. I didn’t want to miss a chance to add a new country to my list, so I began searching Expedia to see if they […]

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Review: Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam [Expedia] (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Europe, Expedia, Review, Tour, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

I awoke early to meet a friend for breakfast at my hotel, the DoubleTree Hilton Centraal Station. He was exited to visit Bruges, Belgium, a place long on his European travel checklist. At that time, I’m embarrassed to say, I hadn’t heard of Bruges. Nevertheless, I was [of course] game to check-out somewhere new. Was […]

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Review: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof Royal Castle & Oberammergau Tour From Munich [Gray Line] (Munich, Germany)

Europe, Expedia, Germany, Munich, Review, Tour, Travel, Trip Reports

Written by Flying High On Points @ Flying High On Points

Although it was Oktoberfest that brought me to Munich, I had no intention of missing the other main attractions of Bavaria. Chief on my list was Neuschwanstein Castle. Review: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof Royal Castle & Oberammergau Tour From Munich [Gray Line] (Munich, Germany) Editor’s Note: This post is part of my ongoing Travel Series on Europe. Click […]

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