“I am fluent in French and Italian, learned in conjunction with my family wine marketing & importing business A.L. Romano Wine Co.”
Email Me: rromano@fugazitravel.com
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Recent Travels
Highlights from my recent stay at the AMS - Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam.
Location - in the 9's area, easy walking distance to the high lights of the city, furthest walk is the Rijksmuseum, about 1 mile.
Rooms/Suites ( hotel is a combination of 25 canal houses, renovation completed in 2016) Remember in Amsterdam, usually windows are quite large/high and often limited coverings, for day time. We stayed in a deluxe room in the Merchant House ( each room has a plaque with a description of the type of house it was originally)
Just off reception is the inner seating for Pause restaurant as well as the Pulitzer gardens ( outdoor seating for Pause, and on arrival a wedding reception) Across is the other area of the garden with swings ( kids and adults!) and wooden rocking horses. Fitness room is just beyond the garden.
Bottled water ( sparkling and still) and Dutch cookies - Stroopwaffels as well as a small token "thank you" gift of a bicycle repair kit. Bath amenities from Le Labo , Coffee & Tea service ( with their own coffee blend)
Dining venues: Pause ( all day dining, cafe style) Jani ( named after the original owner) ( breakfast and dinner) and 24 hour room service.
We Visited the Antiques neighborhood, not far from the Rijksmusuem, great for of course, antiques, but also some one of kind boutiques - in particular one that offers handmade key rings, wallets, purses etc in the shape of tulips!
We also sailed on the brand new Holland America Konigsdam. Vista Suite 8101, just off the midship elevator bank, very convenient and no noise from fellow passengers, either in the hallway or waiting for elevators. Plenty of closet space and hangers as well as drawers. All suites have a sofa bed for a 3rd pax. Binoculars provided as well as blankets for the balcony. Bathroom amenities, Elemis (cotton swabs and balls ) Single sink, with small shelves and some under sink storage. Toilets angled oddly, and close to the shower door. Bed and bedding: Twin or Queen, three sets of pillows ( nice touch!)
Highlight of this new ship design has to be the Music Walk Experience, this is where nearly everyone congregates through out the evening. While others are known for and promote their Broadway style shows, the Konigsdam is all about the smaller venues that flow in to each other. By far, BB Kings is the "place to be" and you saw all generations having fun either listening to or dancing, always packed. Another highlight and new show, BBC Earth-Frozen, highlights of BBC documentaries accompanied by the ships classical musicians.