Movies to Travel By: Summertime (1955)

Images from "Summertime" above and below. (photos credit: United Artists)

Venice never looked more splendid or inviting than in David Lean's "Summertime" starring Katherine Hepburn as Jane Hudson, a lonely woman on vacation unexpectedly falling in love with a married man (Rossano Brazzi).

Many movies would capture Venice in equally breathtaking images. But for the time of its release, the film brings a romance and city bookmarked in another time. Filled with friendly locals and popular visitor locations, it's the kind of idealized Venice many people dream about. St. Mark's Square, Camp San Barnaba and the Venice canals, bridges and lagoon are featured prominently.

The story of a woman having an affair with a married man was daring in the 1950s but the portrayal seems innocent in the film. Hepburn displays emotions of longing, lonely, joy and disappointment in the many scenes when is alone onscreen. The film opens with Jane arriving in Venice and ends with a bittersweet goodbye.

One of the highly romanticized scenes in the film .

The source material for the film is the 1952 Broadway play "The Time of the Cuckoo" which was later adapted into an unsuccessful 1965 Broadway musical "Do I Hear A Waltz?" with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The musical was revived and recorded by the Pasadena Playhouse in 2001.

"Summertime" received two Oscar nominations: Hepburn for Best Actress and Lean for Best Director.

View of Venice from Hepburn's hotel balcony.

Iconic scene where Hepburn's character falls into the canal.

One of multiple moments with St. Mark's Square on view.

The Venice lagoon.

One of the opening scene as Hepburn is rushed through Venice as she follows
her luggage carrier to the hotel.

Another scene from Hepburn's hotel balcony

Katherine Hepburn as Jane Hudson. Love the film camera.

Rossano Brazzi as Renato De Rozzi

The statue is part of the clock near St. Mark's Square.

The Venice lagoon in evening.

Hepburn upon entering her the Pensione Fiorini. The entire hotel
was a fabrication. The hotel's interior and exterior scenes were filmed
at various locations.

The outdoor cafe in the square makes more than one appearance and
sets the initial meeting between Hepburn and Brazzi's characters.

Even the simple shot of Jane's shoe was filmed beautifully.

One of the film's final moments as she waves goodbye to Venice.

Nice to Dream: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris

Once upon a time, the palace of tomorrow. So elegant, so glamorous, so Parisian. These brief words flow across the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris website to describe the fabled hotel.

Frommer's adds a little more detail:
The Plaza Athénée, an 1889 Art Nouveau marvel, is a landmark of discretion and style. About half the celebrities visiting Paris have been pampered here; in the old days, Mata Hari used to frequent the place. The Salon Gobelins (with tapestries against rich paneling) and the Salon Marie Antoinette, a richly paneled and grand room, are two public rooms that add to the ambience of this lavish hotel. There's also a calm, quiet interior courtyard draped with vines and dotted with geraniums. The quietest guest rooms overlook a courtyard with awnings and parasol-shaded tables; they have ample closet space. Some rooms overlooking avenue Montaigne have views of the Eiffel Tower. The hotel is also home to Restaurant Plaza Athénée, where Alain Ducasse presents an award-winning menu focusing on "rare and precious ingredients."

Sometimes it's nice to just dream. More info at plaza-athenee-paris.com. (all images: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris)

Heard the Joke about the TSA Pin-Up Calendar?

This is a page from it. A Japanese tech company called EIZO is apparently making fun of the controversy about the full-body scans being installed in airports. The TSA continues to be unsexy. Click here to see the entire twelve months at outburstnow.com.

We Hardly Knew You: Pop-Tarts World New York

(image: lemonwade.com)

(image: shoppingblog.com)

The wizards at Kellogg's came up with the idea to open a shop called Pop-Tarts World in New York City. Alas the the shop located in Times Square was a pop-up store so its existence is meant to be only temporary. Starting in August 2010 and ending this December 2010, the shop served the famous treat in 28 different flavors. Among the uncommon flavors were vanilla milkshake, hot fudge sundae and cinnamon roll. The treats were served toasted, frozen or at room temperature.

Like a Times Square attraction, the shop also sold logo merchandise. But also being served up were Pop-Tarts sushi (minced pop tarts wrapped in a fruit roll-up) and Pop-Tarts served with ice cream and various toppings. Also available were Pop-Tart bits baked into pies or cookies.

(image: slashfood.com)

The one thing I would have probably been dazzled by is the shop's Pop-Tarts Varietizer. Like a vending machine, visitors picked and choose the flavors of Pop-Tarts for a custom packaged box of their favorites. The same old flavors in the bulk box of 24 Pop-Tarts from Costco now just pales in comparison.

Merchandise, limited-edition flavors and special occasion packaging is available online. Visit poptartsworld.com for more information.

(images: ohreallybecky.com)

REWIND: Union Station Holidays (DC, 2008)

The facade of Union Station stretches 600 feet in total.
The unusual background was taken strictly by accident.

With New Year's Eve just around the corner, let's keep the Christmas feeling alive a bit longer with a look back at Union Station in Washington, DC all decked for the holidays. These photos are from a visit in December 2008.

Union Station opened in 1907 and is visited by over 32 million people each year. The terminal is served by commuter railroads such as Amtrak, the Washington Metro and buses.

The main hall ceiling reaches 96 feet above the floor.

Of particular note is the beaux-arts style architecture and vaulted ceiling of the main hall and concourse. As of this writing the train concourse level is being renovated. More than 100 shops and 35 food establishments from fast food to fine dining are located on three levels within the station. In austere downtown DC, this is one the few contained "shopping mall" experiences near the National Mall. During freezing winters or hot summers, the indoor comfort of this landmark becomes even more attractive.

More info at unionstationdc.com.

The three level concourse. 

Main Hall. Like an airport, boards announce rail schedules.

Holiday model train display in the main hall

REWIND: Planet Hawaii, Signs of the Islands on Earth (DC, 2008)

Hibiscus

The southeast corner of the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory is devoted to the Hawaii exhibit. It features the rare and endangered species of the country's 50th state.

Among the endangered plants is the Hawaii state flower: the hibiscus. Threats such as development, overgrazing by livestock and feral animals and competition from invasive weeds have reduced the number of plants surviving in the wild. Currently there are less than 60 plants in 8 populations on the islands of Lana'i, Maui and the Big Island.

The conservatory emphasizes the value of plants to society. The present building opened in 1933. (note: all photos Dec 2008)

Above & below: plants in the Hawaii exhibit.

This is not from Hawaii. I just thought this cactus looked interesting.

Facade and main entrance of conservatory (Dec 2008)

REWIND: Windows to Wonderland (DC, 2008)

For this Christmas Day here's a look back at 'Windows to Wonderland' at the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory during a visit to Washington, DC in December 2008. Every year the conservatory presents an annual holiday display with a different theme.

The display is one of those things that brings the feeling of wonder that makes you feel like a kid again. The Wonderland is different hamlets including a Santa's village, mountain castle, caterpillar garden and gremlin garden all connected by trains. The multiple trains run overhead and through tunnels.

In the Conservatory's Garden Court, a holiday tree and a replica of the National Mall greet visitors amidst blooming poinsettias. These unique replicas and the Wonderland villages are constructed of natural plant materials. But beware of the crowds. There are workers managing the visitors to be sure they keep moving.

The United States Botanic Garden Conservatory is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10am-5pm (open for special hours during the holidays). The conservatory is located along the National Mall near the west side of the U.S. Capitol building. More info at www.usbg.gov.

The Simplest Way to Vent

(image: drummerjoe/flickr)

Sometimes the fastest and simplest way to vent about your airline is to give them the finger. For this passenger he took it to the next level by photographing his anger. I guess Northwest Airlines would have to consider this a substitute for a complaint letter. Classic!

Stuck on the Tarmac Survival - Part 3 of 3

(image: Travel and Leisure file photo)

Although three-hour tarmac delays are the extreme, shorter ones are too common. The only thing passengers can do is to be prepared. So it's good to know what is or is not allowed regardless if you are stuck while waiting to take off or waiting after landing.

- The captain has the control and decision especially if waiting to take-off. Often after landing, some other reason beyond the crew's control is the reason for the delay such as an unavailable gate.

- With such high security in place everyone knows not to just walk off the plane. But the extreme cases is for medical reasons. There is no reason to get unruly. The consequences may be arrest by law enforcement.

- Think about how long it takes to board a plane and then deplane. This is another factor why delayed flights waiting for take-off just do not return to the terminal to allow passengers to wait at the gate.

- If your flight is delayed to take-off then there are other flights waiting as well. The only way a pilot can hold the flight's place in the take-off queue is to keep the passengers on board.

- Airlines have reduced capacity so if even if the plane returns to the gate it is unlikely the passengers would be able to find an alternate flight.

(image: USA Today)

- There is no required legal compensation for tarmac delays since these are beyond the airline's control. But each airline may have some leeway to assist passengers in extreme cases.

- Be prepared to pass the time. To each his own. If you can sleep it off then good for you.

- Use the restroom before boarding the plane or before landing. In the extreme cases, passengers may be allowed to move from their seats but for shorter durations, you need to stay in your seat with your seat belt secured.

- Bring your own snacks and drinks. If waiting to take-off, it is unlikely the crew will be serving any refreshments. Airplanes are usually stocked with enough drinks and food only for that flight. But be careful about the drinking too much.

- Remember the maximum allowed tarmac delay is three hours and that this rule is only for domestic flights with on U.S. airlines. Since the 1997 film "Titanic" has been seen by almost everyone, think of the length of that film for comparison. It runs 3 hours 15 minutes.

- Document everything. Rather than getting angry and frustrated, you can write, email or call the airline later to vent. If you were smart to have airline's number handy, you can begin calling while waiting on the plane especially if you are worried about a missed connection.

- In the end it always comes down to money. After three-hours, tarmac delays can cost the airlines $27,500 per passenger or $2.75 million for a planeload of 100 people. That's enough motivation for the airlines to return to the gate or find one.

As airline customer service decreases and the cost and fees increases, passengers will become ever more demanding in the expectations from each airline. No doubt further legislation by the government will update rules regarding such delays.