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Frequent Traveler: Photographer Mark Tomaras
Finding a great steak in São Paulo, shopping for a spouse and more from a photographer who logs more than 150,000 annual miles.
It's not unusual for Miami-based photographer Mark Tomaras to travel more than 150,000 miles in a year. The owner of Luminosity Creative works a great deal with Diageo, the international spirits, wine and beer distributor. His photography is focused on documenting their daily business activities, from shooting distilleries and wineries to the firm's charitable contributions to large sponsorship events, such as Formula One racing and the Grammy Awards.
Which airport do you find particularly efficient and pleasant, and what's one you'd like to avoid?
It's far from the Western Hemisphere, but I adore Tokyo Narita. It is not a new airport, nor was it recently renovated. Instead, it is an airport that was so well planned and designed that it just works, period. At the opposite end of the spectrum, I dread flying into the Caracas airport. It is simply scary and unpredictable.
What are some tips for where to find the perfect meal?
I have many favorites, including Naha in Chicago, noted for its incredible modern cuisine, and Nahm in Bangkok, with delicious, darned spicy food in a great setting. In South America, I love Pobre Juan, an Argentine steak house in São Paulo. It's simply divine, and I love the juxtaposition!
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What's a favorite hotel or two you can recommend, and why do you like them?
I love W Hotels, and although there's currently just one in Latin America (Santiago, Chile), others will be opening in Bogotá and Panama City within a year or two. I appreciate the W for their attention to detail, the hip and modern presentation, and competitive rates. Occasionally, I stay at a Four Seasons property and I am continually impressed by the level of service and quality. Currently they have a hotel in Buenos Aires and resorts on the Papagayo Peninsula in Costa Rica and in Carmelo, Uruguay.
What's something you look for to bring home as a gift?
When you travel 150,000 miles per year, the gift-purchasing frequency diminishes, though, note to self: as I am on an airplane writing these interview questions, I'll make a note to shop for my wife! I am attracted to the little specialty shops that offer local style and creative solutions. In Brazil, I look for handmade jewelry that uses tree seeds. Simply beautiful!
When you travel, what are the most important things you plan for?
I always want dependable transportation from the airport, and a hotel car or private car service is far better than a public taxi. I also like getting in a day early to get over the ordeal of travel and wake up refreshed for work (and perhaps have a little time for a walk about and have a nice meal out). And, remember that some airports still charge silly departure taxes in local currency only, and they may not have an ATM that works! That happened in Caracas. So plan to have a bit of local currency on hand just in case.
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Buenos Aires' La Boca neighborhood
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Photographer's Getaway: Wandering Buenos Aires
Oftentimes I have had an assignment in Europe, Asia, or Latin America where I plan to arrive a day or two early to get acclimated to the time zone or climate. So, I just set aside some time for a bit of exploration.
At the top of the list is Buenos Aires. I like to wander the streets with a camera in the morning, sit at a sidewalk cafe for lunch and wine, then do more poking around in the afternoon in search of the best end-of-the day light I can find. I believe that aimless wandering, as opposed to the programmed sightseeing schedule, is the best way to enjoy a city. In Buenos Aires, I love people-watching and stumbling on a little boutique with the perfect gift for my wife.
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News from our Partners
(Click the headlines to read full stories)
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Haiti: Cuisine and Culture
Take the time to incorporate the nation's best restaurants and its culture into any trip.
During her two years in Haiti as project director for Canada-based NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) Building Markets, Ainsley Butler, had ample opportunities to sample restaurants and clubs in and near Port-au-Prince. Perhaps surprising to some, there are more than a few that measure up to international standards and are recognized for their excellent service, varied menus and high level of culinary expertise.
Brassiere Quartier Latin (10 Place Boyer, Pétion-Ville) is, Butler says, "the expat staple for live music and great food." It features a wide-ranging menu of Spanish, French and Italian dishes and is more reasonably priced than some of the Port-au-Prince suburb's other area restaurants.
Papaye (48 Rue Métellus, Pétion-Ville) is known for its own eclectic take on Caribbean fusion, melding traditional Creole recipes with Asian, European and Latin American traditions. The food is complemented by a "great atmosphere," Butler adds.
The highly rated Mosaik (89 Rue Gregoire, Pétion-Ville) features Euro-style, contemporary fare. "I once sat one table over from Baby Doc (Jean-Claude Duvalier, the dictator of Haiti from 1971 until his ouster in 1986)," Butler recalls.
Magdoos (30 Rue Ogé, in Port-au-Prince proper) is known for its salads, Middle Eastern fare, and, according to Butler, occasional Sean Penn sightings.
For drinks and live music, she likes the Presse Café (28 Rue Rigaud) for its unpretentious atmosphere (decorations include old newspapers). With local bands and dancing featured on Thursdays and Fridays, Butler sees the club as a "very typical" Haitian nightspot. Food, however, is limited to snack items.
Generally, Butler notes, Haiti's clubs can be "pretty bad," but adds that the Garden Studio Sports Lounge and Grill (101 Rue Gregoire) "can be fun if there's an event." And, she also gives a thumbs-up to The Irish Embassy, Pub & Restaurant (5 Rue Darguin, Petionville) which, she observes, "is a friendly place to relax for the out-of-towner."
Those wanting to check out Haiti's highly regarded indigenous art traditions should visit the IRPAH (Institute de Recherche et de Promotion de l'Art Haitien) Gallery (Rue Ogé #6, Pétion-Ville) to view paintings and three-dimensional art objects. Butler further recommends, time permitting, a visit to Croix-des-Bouquets, which she describes as "a beautiful artists' village near Port-au-Prince that is well worth seeing."
Photo - ©iStockphoto.com/tropicalpixsingapore
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Travel News
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
LAN Airlines plans to resume service on its Santiago de Chile - Madrid - Frankfurt route beginning October 1, although at press time reservations were only open from October 9 forward.
Alaska Airlines began daily nonstop service between the U.S. cities of Atlanta, Georgia (where Delta Air Lines has its main hub) and Portland, Oregon.
An order from the Argentine government evicting LAN Argentina (a unit of Santiago-based LATAM Airlines) from its hangar at Buenos Aires' Aeroparque Jorge Newbery has been frozen by an Argentine court.
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Terminal 8 at JFK
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Although the merger between US Airways and American Airlines is on hold, US Airways has moved its operations at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport into the same terminal as American - Terminal 8. US Airways had operated from Terminal 7, which is older and smaller than Terminal 8.
IHG's Rewards Club (which includes InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood, Indigo and other brands) is offering bonus points to members through December 31. The promotion, which requires registration, offers between 1,000 and 25,000 bonus points each for a variety of activities, including stays of varying lengths, stays at three different IHG brands, booking through an IHG website or a mobile device and staying in IHG hotels over two Saturday nights.
Hyatt is offering bonus points to Gold Passport members who log between five and 20 nights at the company's hotels between September 9 and October 31. Bonuses range from 5,000 points to 20,000 points.
Members of Starwood's Preferred Guest program can earn double points for stays at participating hotels, plus 2,500 bonus points after every five nights of stays. Registration is required for the promotion, and many properties are not participating in the promotion.
Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa began offering concierge-level Club Sandals Lounge service, which includes a 24-hour concierge, private check-in and iPads for guests. All three of the brand's properties in St. Lucia will begin offering the service on Oct. 1.
A fire destroyed more than two-thirds of Ramon's Village Resort in the city of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in Belize. The resort is currently closed.
The Mexico Plaza Irapuato, in the state of Guanajuato, will be converted into a Wyndham Garden Hotel by Fibra Inn, a Mexican real estate investment trust that recently purchased the property.
Skyline Worldwide, which rents apartments with maid and concierge service to business travelers, opened an office in Rio de Janeiro.
Travel Website Developments
The Expedia Traveler Preference program, which allows guests to book rooms through the Expedia online travel agency and pay at the hotel desk rather than online, is adding Hilton Worldwide to its list of brands that participate in the program. Nearly 4,000 Hiltons around the world will join the 4,500 Marriott International and Accor properties currently in the program.
Google Maps now offers its Street View feature for Peru, allowing users to zoom in and view photo images of streets, historic sites, landmarks and more. The company also expanded its Street Maps coverage of Chile.
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