EZTravelpad

An Afternoon Aboard Celebrity Eclipse's Inaugural Sailing

Celebrity Eclipse Delivers the Luxury to Discriminating Vacationers on Inaugural Voyage

The Main Dining Room on Celebrity Eclipse is Simply GORGEOUS

EZTravelpad was lucky enough to be invited aboard Celebrity Eclipse- the newest offering and crown jewel of the Celebrity brand of cruise ships - the occasion, her inaugural voyage.

In case you are not aware, Celebrity is an up-scale brand offering from Royal Caribbean. Her inaugural saling (a short 2 night for VIPs and other lucky guests) occured on November 16, 2010. Oh, how I would have loved to have experienced the full 2 days - our visit was brief- just a quick tour....but it showed me that there is a new ship available for the discriminating cruise afficianado- and she is lovely!

From the artwork that inspires- at every turn....

To the tchnology that amazes (the Qzine menu is an iPad that allows you to design your own dining experience)....oh, and the decor is something to see as well!

 

...to the luxury that embraces you in the comfort of your stateroom...

 

to the cuisine that is prepared to both nourish and remember....

 

...to the enrichment experiences, like the glass blowing demonstration....

 

This is One Cool Ship -

The Ice Bar is especially cool.....

 

 

So whether your vacation is about ultimate relaxation

or ultimate service....

or ultimate luxury..... Celebrity delivers!

Eclipse is sailing alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries this winter, and calling on ports that include-

• St Maarten
• St Kitts
• San Juan
• Roatan
• Cozumel
• Grand Cayman

For more information on this, or other vacation ideas for discriminating vacationers, EZTravelpad is ready and waiting to deliver. Remember, we are "Your friends....in the travel business"

Why Cruising is so Popular! - or - Why is Cruising so Popular?

Cruising IS Poular - So, Why?

Same 5 words, in different orders make quite a difference in meaning - no?

Cruising is popular, no doubt. cruise enthusiasts are not hard to find- young, old, families, singles, you name it- there is a group that loves their cruises! So I was asking myself earlier today - why?

Is it Convenience? Affordability? Quality? Variety? Food? Seriously, what is it?

 

Well, for one- the sunsets are pretty great....

With so many vacation choices available, what makes cruising so popular, particularly with U.S. citizens, and what is contributing to it's increasing popularity worldwide?

All-Inclusive

 Say, for example, you are considering a choice between a 7 night Caribbean cruise and a 7 night vacation to the Caribbean - whcih might provide the better value? Well, obviously value is subjective, but let's just think for a moment and try to make things as comparable as possible.

Assume that you are going to a moderately priced All-Inclusive resort somewhere in a popular Caribbean destination (or maybe even Mexico or Costa Rica). For seven nights, including flights, you could expect to pay around $1600 for 2 people flying from the Midwest and staying at a high quality resort like Moon Palace or an Iberostar (not low end accommodations!).

This would typically include not only flight, but also transfers to and from the airport, 7 nights at resort with king size bed (or 2 doubles), all meals, drinks, entertainment, beach fun, snorkeling, water sports, and sometimes even more than that.

So let's set some parameters- This vacation will include a buffet breakfast every morning, lunch every day, dinners each night at a different a la carte restaurant.

Also, 2 cocktails during the day, and 2 glass of wine at dinner (each, so total 4 drinks each - per day).

Snorkeling a couple of days, beach fun, and general relaxation the rest of the time....

Cruise

Now assume that you are going to take the same 7 night vacation, but instead will cruise the Caribbean. You will want your accommodations to be comparable, so you will need a balcony stateroom, after all- the All-inclusive resort on land has a balcony- (you wouldn't accept a small interior room with no window at a land based resort now would you?). Additionally, to maintain this comparison, you will need to be on a cruise ship that offers good a la carte choices - so let's say Norwegian Epic for 7 nights- how would that price in comparison?

Air from Midwest to Miami RT $275 pp

Balcony stateroom on Epic approx $1300 pp (incl tax & gratuities)

$7 per drink during day x 4 = $28 per day x 7 days = $196

2 glasses wine per night pp = 1 bottle ($30 x 7 days) = $210

Figure about 3 nights with a premium resturant (Steakhouse, Japanese, Italian premium) average around $20 pp = $40 x 3 = $120

A couple of excursions to a beach to snorkel and splash around say $45pp x2 twice = $180

So a 7 night cruise incl air and drinks and meals that are comparable to the All-inclusive would total to approximately $1980

If you drink less alcohol then the price of the cruise would come down a bit - drink more and it goes up (I did not account for soft drinks & water which can easily add another $5-10 per day)

So as you can see, it's not necessarily the price, unless of course you are opting for a less luxurious accommodation on the ship, but since there are not 196 sq ft rooms without windows at any all-inclusive resorts that I am aware of, that cannot be fairly compared...

If Not Value- Then What?

Maybe it's Convenience. Could a 7 night Caribbean cruise be more convenient than a land based vacation?

For the answer to that one you'll have to tune back in to EZTravelpad a little later- because right now I have to run - got a cruise ship to catch....see you in the Caribbean!

Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando - Tips and Tricks

Tips for Visiting Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Planning your Christmas Holiday or Spring Break? Then Orlando might be high up on you list of places to go! If so, check out these tips for better enjoying The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal in Orlando-

This may be the shortest post I have ever written - if not, it will be close.

Want the best advice you will get?

Get There EARLY

 

No that's not frost on the roofs- but you should be there at an hour when you should expect some frost on roofs....

In fact, if you stay at the Loews properties (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, Portofino Bay) you can actually get in an hour earlier- NO LINES - (or very short ones)

 

Last tip- Butterbeer

I was a skeptic, but I tried it - and it's good. So go early, and get Butterbeer - probably twice!

Hungry for some Disney?

Planning your Disney trip for later in the year?

Disney World in Orlando has just rolled out this offer, and EZTravelpad is ready, willing and able to sweeten the pot for you....just ask for the details!

Here's the Disney Offer-

During this limited time only, a family of four* can get the Disney Dining Plan free** when they buy a 5-night, 6-day Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way Package, including Theme Park tickets and hotel accommodations in a standard room at a select Disney Moderate Resort, for only $1,843. That’s the equivalent of $77 per person, per day!

Ask about packages for other lengths of stay, as well as stays at select Disney Value Resorts with a free Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.

Must book this offer by Aug. 14, 2010. Who you gonna call? You know who- EZTravelpad!

$34 Worth of Elvis.... Graceland & more

Learning to Appreciate The King of Rock n Roll

Recently I toured Graceland- the home of Elvis Aaron Presley - The King of Rock n Roll

I had $34 worth of seeing where he lived, and saw where he lies today...

So how much Elvis does $34 buy?

There are options when it comes to how much Elvis you would like to pack into 1 trip. After careful review of all of the options (you can see the options at www.elvis.com) I decided on $34 worth, which includes the following-

• an audio-guided tour of Graceland Mansion and grounds
• a self-guided tour of Elvis's two custom airplanes,
• a self-guided tour of Elvis's Automobile Museum
• a self-guided tour of Elvis in Hollywood
• a self-guided tour of Elvis Presley: Fashion King

While touring Graceland, Elvis' Auto Museum, Elvis' Airplanes, listening to the story of Elvis on the audio-guided tour, reading the memorabilia and more, I came to realize something....

Elvis IS America and America IS Elvis

Ok Scott (you may be saying)- I can buy that (as Mojo Nixon once said) Elvis is everywhere but Elvis IS America? Really? Well- consider....

There are a lot of opinions in this big world- not everyone agrees, as well they shouldn't.

• Politics
• Religion
• Art
• Music

All of those topics are debated. We each know what we like, and what we don't, and believe it or not- even Elvis Presley had his haters.

Personally, I can understand why someone would prefer a different ______ (fill in the blank) to __________(fill in this blank too), but to not like Elvis is simply Un-American.

Elvis IS America- he is (or was) the personification of the American spirit. He rose from obscurity to become the most powerful force in entertainment in his era, just as The USofA rose to become the most powerful nation on earth.

His charitable giving knew no bounds. His heart was as big as his legend. Much like the way America shines as a beacon of freedom and charity, and why people aspire to live here.

He was classless, but defined style (make no mistake, Elvis loved him some bling).

He liked to eat (I think you know where I'm going with this one- Beale St Music Fest Flashback alert), as do most Americans....

He made people feel better about themselves, and everyone wanted to be closer to him.

And today, even though The King is gone, people still flock to he home of Elvis- Graceland

So how do you see the similarities between Elvis and America?

On To Graceland

Graceland Tours

As you drive down Elvis Presley Blvd in Memphis the first thing you see, even before the Graceland entrance is--not surprisingly-- the Rock 'n' Roll Cafe plus a half dozen souvenir shops-

*Eztravelpad dining tip-.... Go to the Rock 'n' Roll Cafe for the Elvisness...not the cuisine or the value  

So you get a bite, probably banana pancakes- (you know The King loved bananas!) and head over to Graceland ticket office, wait to board the bus (already crowded by 10:15AM on Sunday) to the Graceland Mansion, and take in the tour- not quite knowing what to expect- and here is the first thing you see upon entering the Graceland Mansion...

then you start to realize- Elvis was a kid when he lived here. He was only 42 when he died!

Elvis bought Graceland for $100,000 at the age of 22, so again, much like America, Elvis had a great deal of responsibility thrust upon him at a very young age. 

(Don't forget that the great European and Asian cultures have been around for thousands of years- America just a little over 200 years, so we're still very young- like Elvis)

Ever wonder what it might have been like to sit in The Jungle Room?

 
Elvis had toys- and lots of 'em

• Motorcycles
• Snowmobiles
• Golf Carts
• and Cars....and yes, there is a Pink Cadillac prominently displayed in the museum!

But did you ever see a picture of The King's tractor before? Well, you're not gonna see it now either (can't find the photo- oops) but you CAN see it at the Elvis' Cars Museum at Graceland- that's for sure!!

Lisa Marie

Of course you know that Elvis' largest jet was named The Lisa Marie- after his daughter Lisa Marie Presley

But did you ever see Lisa Marie's actual swing set?

Did you know that Elvis' dad Vernon Presley had his business office nearby, and when I say business office, I mean he meant business!

Sign The Wall

Like Elvis fans have been doing for well over 4 decades- no trip to Graceland is complete without signing the Graceland wall, which is a little like paying your respects at the Lincoln Memorial (I said a little)- and EZTravelpad marked the event by leaving a business card...

 

Well, I think I've rattled on just about long enough. For many more excellent photos of this American shrine visit EZTravelpad page on Facebook where many photos are published- become a fan- please, you'll be glad you did.

Wrap Up

Suffice it to say that Graceland is really well worth the time.

All joking aside, I did feel a sense of something special having happened here. Something real, and something uniquely American.

Graceland should be on your Bucket List. I left feeling richer for the experience, and you will too. So when you're ready, get in touch with EZTravelpad for some advice- Thankyouverymuch

Beale Street Music Festival- 3 Days of Music Lover's Heaven

A Highlight of Memphis in May is Beale Street Music Festival

Beale St Music Fest (or as it is sometimes loving referred to as... Beale St Mud Fest) is 3 days of music lover's paradise. One of the weekends during the Memphis in May celebrations, Beale St Music Fest ROCKS- and Rolls.

Are you gonna go to see a newcomer like Colbie Caillat?

or a legend like Bobby Blue Bland?

FYI- the Hall of Famer filled the Blues tent to capacity even though is was 12,000 degrees in there

Music is for Everyone

Whether you are a conservatively dressed professional like this gentleman...

or are behaving as "An Udder Disgrace"

the odds are you're gonna have a good time. Yes, there's beer. Yes, there's lots of people. Heck, there are even drunken people. There are old folks and babies (why are you bringing that baby again?).

Eat- there's plenty of great food

Yes, the food selection just doesn't get much better than this-

"I'll have an order of Rocky Mountain Oysters, some bacon wrapped sausage - and a cheesecake on a  stick please - oh, and a Diet Coke"

Shop- there's plenty of things for sale

But mostly, just groove to the sights and sounds from legends that span the musical spectrum- from the cool groovin' instrumental sounds of Booker T & the M.G.s

  

to the Hard Drivin' 3 guitar attack -&- explanation of the "Southern Condition" that can only be offered up from "Drive-By Truckers"

So who was there?

• Booker T
• Jerry Lee Lewis
• Hall and Oates
• Boys Like Girls
• Colbie Calaitt
• Drive-By Truckers
• Vince Neil
• Earth, Wind & Fire,
• Puddle of Mudd
• North Mississippi Allstars
• Michael McDonald
• Bobby Blue Bland
• B-52s
• Blues Traveler

And many, many more- about 60 acts scheduled (although some, like John Hiatt and Alison Krauss were unable to get out of Nashville due to the severe weather and floods)

It really is an amazing festival at a fantastic venue - Tom Lee Park - aside the mighty Mississippi River.

Go for the sounds, go for the sights, go for the smells (WARNING- the smells of the mud are not pleasant), go because you just love to go.

You know, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that may be true, but this video can tell a tale much better than I - C'mon and groove to a little E W & F

Now who can resist a party like this- really? Want to go next year? You know I do!

For travel planning and so much more, turn to EZTravelpad "Your friends....in the travel business"

Sandals Features Beringer as House Wine- Now That's Luxury Included!

Fine Wines Make Fine Vacations -

You know, they say a glass of wine per day is good for your heart and your overall health. I believe that. I like wine. I like all kinds of wines. I like good wines better than cheap wines. I especially like Beringer wines, and so does Sandals (Luxury Included) Resorts.

Sandals has teamed up with Beringer to brand a collection of wines for Sandals resorts across the Caribbean.

If you are an experienced traveler you know that not all "All-Inclusives" are cut from the same cloth. Most do not pour premium beverages.

I'll take my All-Inclusive with Beringer please....

For more info please contact EZTravelpad "Your friends....in the Travel Business"

Sandals Resorts is always looking to raise the bar when it comes to the Luxury Included® experience that it delivers to our guests. This exclusive partnership with Beringer Vineyards will raise the standard of the "included" wines poured at our resorts and provide an even better selection of wines sold on our Manager's and Chairman's lists.

Sandals Resorts has partnered with Beringer Vineyards in an innovative educational program - the Platinum Wine Certification by Beringer. Restaurant and bar staff will undergo this certified training program to give them more tools and information about wine. This new certification program aims to greatly enhance the wine experience for resort guests.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Tarpon Springs, FL

Tarpon Springs - It's ALL Greek To Me

I've been to Florida MANY times over the years - north & south - east to west, and each time I see something new - or different. Today was no exception at Tarpon Springs, which is a mecca for the sponge seeker

#1 - Sponges

So it shakes out like this- if you're looking for sponges or loofas -hand made soaps or Greek food, this is THE place- or at least a great place to browse on Florida's west coast...

 

 The stuff for sale in that basket is not french bread- they are loofas, which apparently are a type of vegetable- and are edible - huh, who would've thought... see about loofas here

 #2 - Sponge Industry Honored

There's nothing like a photo of random people in front of a Sponge Diving Statue...very nice people-

I took a photo of them with their-

• (A) friends
• (B) children
• (C) other random people

with their own cameras just after I took this photo.I hope they had as much fun today as we had....

 

 Here's a bunch of sponges on a sponge boat - looks like a bunch of Tribbles taking over ...

#3 - Bakeries - YUM!!

But Today, It Was Really About The Food - At Hellas Restaurant & Bakery-

 

 From the Saganaki to to the Cannoli and everything in between, the food at Hellas was much more than agreeable- hate I can't go back next week!

#4 Sponge Exchange

This Space Left Blank Intentionally

 Above, there was going to be a great photo of some very cool "Vegetable Ivory Carvings" (I'd tell you about them, but apparently it's a secret). It seems the artists (and believe me, I love artists) doing the carvings don't appreciate photos - and thus, the publicity - so you may never know how coll they really were- or buy any ;(

Other cool things in the Sponge Exchange include-

An example of an early sponge boat - and a REALLY big shark hanging! (I think we're gonna need a bigger boat....)

 

Things to rent and peddle around....

And Live Music

#5 - Cigars

Last thing you need to know - Hand Rolled Cigars - thanks for my smoke my brotha.... well done.

Want to see how it's done? Check out the video!

So Tarpon Springs is a great little diversion- well worth the time- if you're cruising out of Tampa & have some time to kill- check it out, but make sure to go with an appetite

Getting Away Close to Home- Crystal Mountain & Traverse City Edition

Focus on Economical- Focus on Saving - Focus on FUN

No doubt that going skiing for the weekend is not the least expensive thing to do, but does it have to break the bank? No Way!!

So can 2 people go skiing for 2 days in a resort town for under $350 ($175 per person)? Absolutely!!! - with money to spare! And we're not talking bare bones & sleeping on someone's couch here- we're talking about going 3 star - hotel, food, fuel, lift tickets, everything....

Here's how it breaks down-

• $130.00  Lift tickets ($65 per person for 2 day lift tickets at Crystal Mountain- 9A-9P Fri & Sat)
• $82.61   Comfort Inn- Traverse City (their rate $89.99 + tax - EZTravelpad rate = $76.49 + tax)
• $45.01   Dining (2 dinners on 2 different nights for 2 people- see below, you'll love this!)
• $36.74   Fuel  (Taking the Prius - yes, brakes are fine... 288 miles each way at 40.4 mpg & $2.559)
• $15.00   Bar at Lodge (2 - Bloody Marys, popcorn & bag of chips)
• $6.49     Bottle of wine from home
• $4.00     Sale price on Restaurant Gift Certificates
• $5.50     Estimate for misc. leftovers (2 pork chop sandwiches + 1/4 bag of pretzels + 2 homemade breakfast burritos + 6 bottles of water + cheese & crackers - more than enough for breakfast & lunch Day 1 * lunch Day 2)
• $325.35  TOTAL - That's $162.68 per person for 2 full days of skiing, lodging, food & drinks

Here's how it's done-

Step 1- Buy a Prius, drive a shorter distance, or up the budget for fuel...

OK, seriously- you do need to do a little planning, and EZTravelpad can help with that. We saved $13.50 by purchasing hotel online at www.eztravelpad.com versus booking directly with the hotel. I even called the hotel to see if they would price match it- and they couldn't (or wouldn't).

BTW- it was a very nice recently remodeled Comfort Inn

located in Traverse City, MI- service was excellent, bedding was very good- not The Westin, but hey- for $76.49 plus tax in a resort town on a holiday weekend, not too bad!!

Plus, breakfast Saturday morning offered enough selection that we were not forced to go to Cracker Barrel - that saved another $20ish

Flat screen HDTV to watch the 2010 Winter Olympics - very nice...

Dining

So I know what you're thinking- how did they spend only $45.01 for dining 2 nights? Fast Food? - No Way

Night 1  - Dinner at Shelde's in Traverse City - Total cost = $22.80 plus 1 - $25 restaurant gift certificate purchased from EZTravelpad at a total cost of $2.00 (two dollars)

• Soup x2
• Salad x2
• Pecan Encrusted Chicken with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Vegetable Medley
• Grilled Chicken Wrap with Fries
• Glass of wine x2

Mondavi Chardonnay & some Shiraz blend that was mediocre-

Photo taken before French Onion Soup arrived- hey man, I was hungry from a full day of skiing! - ready to eat, take the photo & move on!!!

OK, so that was Dinner on Night #1

Total cost of check was $40.51 + 18% gratuity of $7.29 = $47.80 less $25.00 rest gift cert = $22.80

Was it serious gourmet? No- but it was reasonably good, plus a great value- which is what we were trying to accomplish

Night #2 was Burke's Waterfront in Cadillac, MI & dinner consisted of (sorry, no photos)

• Sierra Mist x2 (we were driving)
• Soup & Salad bar x1
• Tossed Salad x1
• Fish & Chips
• 16 oz Prime Rib with Mashed Sweet Potato

Total cost $22.21

Burke's Waterfront Restaurant offers great views of the lake dotted with ice-fishing cabins & snowmobiles scooting past- Northern Michgan at it's finest!

To be honest, we were filled up with Salad bar, soup, bread, so we actually took most of the entrees home in a to go container- have lunch for the rest of the week....

The restaurant gift certificates saved us $46 total for both nights- So how does this restaurant gift certificate work?

• Step 1- Shop for and purchase a restaurant gift certificate - A $25 gift certificate usually costs $10, but this time I caught them on sale for only $2 when planning the trip - you can too  
• Step 2 Present $25 gift certificate while dining at restaurant. In both cases, a $35 minimum purchase was required (rules vary, but this is typical) -so it broke down like this at Burke's Waterfront

$39.71 Total cost including tax

$25.00 Restaurant Gift certificate

$14.71 Net cost

$ 7.50 Gratuity (approx 20% based on total cost incl tax) 

$22.21 Amount charged to credit card

This is a great way to save some serious $$$ dining out- you should check it out by clicking here & bookmarking the link - heck, copy it & share it with some friends!

But It's Not All About Dining

Traverse City is a great little All-American city located at the south end of Grand Traverse Bay near the northern part of the lower peninsula on the great state of Michigan, and like any other resort town in Michigan- there is fudge!

There are several blocks of excellent shopping in the warehouse district- Kilwins was just one on many great little shops- a downtown straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting (but I was there at night) with tree lined- and lighted city streets....

We happened to catch the city at it's wintertime finest with temperatures in the mid 20s and light snow falling, plus the winter festival offered many different diversions... with several ice and show sculptures and carvings in various locations-

Go Vikings!?!?

But it was REALLY About the Skiing!

Sure, dining, shopping and resting are important, but it was really all about the skiing- here's a taste of Michelle's 1st Black Diamond run-

I'll just leave it to your imagination how that turned out ;)

Crystal Mountain claims to be the #1 resort in The Midwest - well, I don't know, but here's a taste of some of what it offers - this video going up the high speed lift-

All in all, a good way to spend a couple of days in the Midwest- embracing the winter- at an affordable cost.

So have a great winter- and whether you want to escape or embrace the winter- when you're ready for some travel advice- trust EZTravelpad - Your friends.....in the travel business

Getting Away Close to Home - Indy Edition

Indianapolis - Naptown - Circle City 

No matter what you call it, Indy means different things to different people.

Perhaps it's The Greatest Spectacle in Racing - The Indy 500 

Or the 2nd largest single day sporting event in the world- The Brickyard 400

Maybe it's Home of the Indianapolis Colts. What team has the best record this decade? Hmmm?

Maybe it's just an oasis of civilizaion in central Indiana

Indy, to me, is all of these things and more - plus it's a great place to getaway locally for a weekend with friends. So where to stay? In a word - Omni

 

It's dark you say? Yes, it's Indy in November - daylight is in short supply...

The Omni Severin Hotel in downtown Indy is ideally located in the heart of downtown. Walk out the front door and you're looking at the old Union Station - still a beautiful specimen of early 20th century building. Gaze slightly to the right and you're seeing Lucas Oil Stadium (which replaced The Hoosier Dome - later named the "some company" dome- who can keep track!), the new home to the Indianapolis Colts. Turn slightly to your left and you're within beer tossing distance to one of Indy's original hotspots for partiers of all generations to have a blast - Ike & Jonesy's

 

Walk about 3 blocls to the east and you will arrive at Conseco Fieldhouse - home to the Indiana Pacers, a perennial NBA contender. A few steps up Illinois St and it's St Elmo's Steakhouse - A CLASSIC!

Dis Is It

A couple blocks down on Meridian is The Slippery Noodle Inn

 

"The Noodle" has been Indy's home for The Blues for generations

A trip to Indy is not the same without a trip to The Slippery Noodle - it's about 4x bigger now than my first trip there 25 years ago, but still retains much of it's charm - and the music is every bit as good. Top local and regional artists such as Gordon Bonham Blues Band, Governor Davis, Tab Benoit, Chris Shaffer (Why Store), Gene Deer, Charles Walker Band- bust it our nearly every night. It's original-

And CRAZY too! Here, Charles Walker himself was having Sax on the floor right in front of us! 

Across the street from Conseco Fieldhouse is Coaches Tavern. The food was great and the service was better - great little pub to eat some nachos, watch a game on one of the many screens, or hang out before the Pacer game..... Wanna save some serious money on your next visit there?      

Check out this link to great restaurant savings across the country - this day at Coaches we saved $25 on a $35 purchase, but you can save more than that sometimes too!

Back to The Omni

The Omni is also attached to the relatively new Circle Centre Mall- which is a convenient mall if you're downtown, but alas- no photos... ever been all set to snap your photo - perfectly framed - lighting just right, then BAM - a security officer rolls up on a Segway to tell you NO, NO - photos are prohibited! Well, I suppose I could have jumped through hoops to gain permission, but - nah....... If you want to go to the best mall in Indy that would be The Fashion Mall at Keystone at the Crossing - but enough of that....

One other VERY important thing to know about Indy is where to go for the best Kosher deli around. That would be Shapiro's. South of downtown on Meridian & in the afternoon shdows of Lucas Oil stadium...

 

It's been there about 100 years, all meats are prepared under Rabbinical Supervision, it's awesome, and you won't find any ham. Just get a pastrami or coned beef sandwich on rye and move along..... maybe even some Matzo Balls, slice of cheesecake (not made in a factory), take home some bagels & call it a day!

There's much more to Indy than this, so for some expert advice I think you know where to turn - that would be EZTravelpad - where if we don't know the answer, we know someone who does!