Miles and points, old trip reports, Ostia Antica

 One of my readers voiced his criticism of featuring old trip reports. I always welcome readers’ feedback, so don’t ever hesitate to speak your mind. I don’t have too many trips left to cover, but what I’ll do is put the miles segment first, starting next week. That way, you don’t have to scroll down if that’s all you are interested in.  The reason for my old trip reports  is not to include filler content because I have nothing else to say.

It’s actually to educate the readers and provide a tiny counterbalance to most of what you see in this industry. Look at the trip reports in many (not all) blogs . What do you notice? Most likely another photo of a business or first class seat and a photo of a Hyatt (has to be a Hyatt). It’s not that it’s wrong to enjoy upper-class or luxury lodging. I’ll be the first to admit that the new Hyatt Andaz in Maui and Conrad in Maldives look very nice and are a destination onto themselves.

But I think ultimately, an undue focus is placed on things that should be the “means” and not the “goal.” You see almost nothing about the culture or history of those places or its people. Is travel really about snapping the photos of another first class meal and a Hyatt toilet? Is this  why we collect all the miles and points?

Explore the world, and not the hotels or airplane seats!

Trip report.

2004, Ostia Antica village near Rome, Italy

This was a very short, but quite memorable trip. Since we had  an early flight to Poland the next day, I wanted to find something near the airport. Ostia Antica village was the perfect choice. We got an apartment located in an old castle. I actually framed the top photo and hung it on my wall in the living room.

Ostia Antica is also the name of an old archaeological site that is often compared to Pompeii. I plan to see the second one next year, so I will have an opportunity to judge for myself.

Ostia was actually Rome’s seaport, but due to silting, the site now lies 3 kilometres (2 miles) from the sea. Ostia Antica is noted for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, magnificent frescoes and impressive mosaics, which you can see from my photo. If you are ever in Rome, make a side trip there. You won’t regret it!

Miles and points

1) Today only Olive Garden will pay  your babysitting tab when you dine there. More details HERE

2) An interesting deal for 4 night stay in a Wyndham resort in Puerto Rico for 552 dollars for  a family of 4. Read more HERE 

3) $200 bonus for opening new PNC account. Saw it before PFDigest posted about it! Click to discussion and details on Fatwallet HERE

4) American and United both offer 30 miles per dollar for flower purchases on FTD, with Delta offering 35 miles per dollar through February 14th. Check your respective program website for links and more details. The best one might be on Southwest where you get 1750 points for every order of $29.99 or more on 1800Flowers. More on it HERE

5) You can get 3% Cashback on American Express Gift Cards from Topcashback.com + NO FEES. Promotion Code FPVALAF. Offer expires 2/15/14. Please, send me an email so I can refer you if you don’t have an account.

6) An interesting post on Just another points traveler blog about booking site called Travel Pony and potential discount of 85 dollars off your hotel in certain cities. Read more on it HERE

7) Via Points and pixie dust blog, Livin Social site is selling discount membership to Costco HERE The Deal mommy blog reports that you can get an additional 10 percent off with a code USA10

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog on the right and enter to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards. Last chance to enter is Sunday at 8pm Eastern.