Trump Tower lit up for Christmas.

Trump Tower Chicago

Just playing with some night photography.

There's Room For Everyone

In the SmartTravel article, Airlines to Shrink Carry-on Size?, travelers are advised to wait to buy new carry-ons due to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) proposal to reduce the allowable carryon bag size.

It makes one wonder what is the impetus behind this proposal?
Is the change really an attempt to provide better service by allowing more people to fit their carryon items in the overheads?

After all, the proposed size change is not dramatic. Yet, it can be costly to consumers who will have to replace carryon luggage to accommodate this slight reduction in size. Administering this standard gives the impression that all overhead bins are created equal, yet that is not true.  These bins change with the dimensions of the planes.  So, it is unclear how the reduction from 22 x 14 x 9 inches to 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches really make it possible for everyone to stow their carry-ons. Since each bin, on average, will hold three four suitcases side by side the potential space gain is between 3" and 4.5". That is certainly not enough room for another carryon.

Maybe the real issue is lack of adherence to the existing guidelines.  Airline staff (gate agents and flight attendants) are not always diligent in enforcement of the carryon limits. I am sure many of you have been on flights where passengers carryon more than their fair allotment.

If these guidelines are not executed today, how will a change in bag size truly fix the problem?

Or perhaps this change is motivated by profits. Per their own website, the IATA is a trade association with about 250 member airlines. One IATAs many priorities is member satisfaction. What better way to improve member satisfaction than to increase revenue stream through more checked bag fees. Of course, this ultimately relies on airline adoption and enforcement of the guidelines.

Topkapi Palace - Istanbul, Turkey

Topkapi Palace - Istanbul, Turkey

Constructed in the mid 15th century, Ottoman Sultans called this palace home for almost two thirds of their empire's reign. The palace was converted to a museum in 1924.

The grounds occupy between 6.3 and 7.5 million square feet of land situated between the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn, and the Bosphorus.

The palace was constructed to be a city within a city, boasting a mint, a hospital, mosques, and bakeries.

The Sultan's Treasure is impressive and represents one example of how this museum pays tribute to the rich history of the Ottoman Empire. 

While the good news is that these artifacts have been preserved and are on display for visitors to see, photographs are strictly prohibited.

The grounds are impeccably maintained. We felt as though we stepped into a fairytale when we passed through the main gate. 

One of the most unusual attributes was the stray cat population.  We had numerous sitings of cats and kittens lounging throughout the palace grounds.

I highly recommend dining at Konyali, the restaurant on the palace grounds.  The food was delicious. The service was wonderful.

While the views are not stunning there is absolutely a cool factor to dining on the grounds of this palace.

The museum is open most days, closing in observance of most holy days.  I strongly suggest checking their website for these dates.

I had no expectations when I added Turkey into my travel itinerary and found it to be an amazing country. Istanbul turned out to be a high point of this trip.

Musée du Louvre - Paris, France

Musée du Louvre

The original structure, built in the 12th century as a fortress, was modified numerous times between initial construction and opening as a museum on August 10, 1793.

This is one of the largest museums in the world with over 600,000 square feet dedicated to the permanent collection.

A trip to the Louvre requires planning since many of the more notable masterpieces are often on exhibit in different wings of the building.

Included among the incredible masterpieces we saw were the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and the Marly Horses.

If you are planning to see the Mona Lisa, it is likely you will have to wade through a sea of other visitors to catch a glimpse of her smile. Be prepared to be patient.

We spent the better part of a day walking ourselves to exhaustion and were painfully aware that we had barely scratched the surface of all that was on exhibit. To help you avoid making our mistake, I reiterate - PLAN AHEAD.

Of course our exhaustion became justification for resting in the courtyard near the fountain in view of the pyramid designed by I.M. Pei.

There is certainly something of interest to attract art, architecture, and history lovers alike.

Check the Louvre website for pricing and hours of operation.

These photos are available for purchase by visiting AcevedoPhoto.net

Sainte-Chapelle - Paris, France

This chapel, commissioned by King Louis IX of France, was consecrated April 26, 1248.

It was once the home of "Christ's Relics," including the crown of thorns.

One of the most impressive features is the huge stained glass windows on the second floor, which in addition to paying homage to King Louis for relocating Christ's Relics to Paris,  illustrate various portions of the old and new testament.

While the chapel has largely been recreated due to damage suffered during the French Revolution - two thirds of the stained glass is authentic.

Whether you go to see the gothic architecture or bask in the colorful glow of the stained glass on the second floor this is a worthy pilgrimage.

I do suggest reviewing the warnings on the Sainte Chappelle website. Thorough bag checks are performed before allowing entry. Be sure not to be carrying any restricted items to avoid being turned away.

Check the Sainte-Chapelle Website for pricing and hours of operation.

These photos are available for purchase by visiting AcevedoPhoto.net

Eiffel Tower - Paris, France

Eiffel Tower

What can anyone say about the Eiffel Tower?
Located: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

This 126 year old structure is iconic.

Recognizable the world over, it is home to two restaurants and a new observation deck with a glass floor.

Eiffel Tower - April 2012

Sadly, the weather was not cooperating with our plans during our visit.  It was cloudy and rainy. The line for visiting the observation deck was long and we were  informed visitors might be turned away in the event of lightning.

Instead of risking waiting on a long line only to be turned away, we took some photos and proceeded with our plans to explore the surrounding area.  There are several things to visit nearby like Trocadero, Maison de la culture du Japon a Paris, or one could take a leisurely walk along the Seine. For other ideas I suggest visiting the Paris Info Website.

If my memory serves me, the rates have changed slightly (Official Eiffel Tower Website) since we were in Paris. In spite of the increase, the chance to get a birds-eye view of Paris by riding the lift to the top would be worth the price of admission.

Eiffel Tower - April 2012

Since our visit the construction that obstructed many of my photos, which we presume was to add "The New First Floor," has been completed. I imagine this added feature enhances the overall experience.

As you can see from my photos the Eiffel Tower is gorgeously lit at night.

Despite the brevity of our visit, the time spent at the tower stands out. I highly recommend making time for this attraction.

As part of your planning, my two suggestions are check the weather before you go and try to determine the off-peak visiting hours to minimize your wait time.

Please follow the hyperlink to my AcevedoPhoto - Paris Gallery if you would like to see more photos from this trip.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The museum is located at 1000 5th Avenue in New York City and can be accessed via numerous bus routes which stop just outside the main entrance.


The Met is open seven days a week (excluding a few holidays) with late hours available on Fridays and Saturdays.


The museum holds the distinction of being the largest in the United States and is ranked in the top ten largest in the world.


I've had the great fortune of visiting many of the great museums (the Louvre, the Hermitage, etc...) and agree that this ranks among the top. Make the time to visit if you can - it's a choice you'd be unlikely to regret.


With over two million works of art in the museums permanent collection which is housed in this massive 2 million square foot space there is bound to be something of interest to almost anyone.

The suggested admission fee is $25.00 USD and is worth every penny. Yet, one may pay any amount over $1.00 USD for their admission. Payment of the fee grants access to the main building and (if used within the same week) The Cloisters, which we visited during a prior trip.

The photos shared in this blog are just a few samples of the art you might encounter during your visit.

With so many collections from which to choose you will want to allow yourself plenty of time.


This museum attracts large numbers of people on any given day so be prepared to maneuver through large crowds. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will do a lot of walking.


As for places to eat, there are a few cafes inside the museum, plenty of street vendors in-front selling various snacks, treats, and eats, there are plenty of restaurants (though a bit more pricey) in the area if one prefers something nicer.

Metropolitan Opera House and Les Contes d'Hoffmann

The Metropolitan Opera House is located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.  

This world renowned gem is a short walk from Central Park and is accessible by bus (M11, M66) and subway (1, 2) lines.

Metropolitan Opera House Lobby / Chandelier

Despite being a little dated, the lobby of the building still feels elegant. The balcony space around the staircase offers plenty of photo opportunities in which many patrons choose to include the chandelier.

The balcony is also home to a restaurant, gift shop, and bars.
It is highlighted by two large Marc Chagall paintings, The Triumph of Music and The Sources of Music.


The interior of the opera house is breathtaking and offers seating for upwards of 3800 people.

Our visit included seeing the Metropolitan Opera's production of  Les Contes d'Hoffmann.

With the reputation of the Met and my partner's claims that this opera sparked his interest in the genre when he was ten years old, I had high expectations.  The singers, the sets, the entire production completely surpassed anything I could have imagined. 

The sets and costumes offered the perfect dressing for this carnival of sights and sounds.

While every singer deserves recognition for the success of this production, Matthew Polenzani (Hoffmann) and Audrey Luna (Olympia) added extra brilliance to this shining star.

Fountain outside of The Metropolitan Opera House

The Metropolitan Opera and the opera house are must see attractions in New York City.  

Nick & Toni's Cafe

On Saturday March 14, 2015 we had tickets to see Les Contes d'Hoffmann. We chose Nick & Toni's Cafe @ 100 West 67th Street NYC for our pre-show dinner because it offered a variety dishes, it had a reasonable Prix Fixe menu, and it was close to the Metropolitan Opera.

We arrived on time for our 5:30 reservation and were seated immediately.  The interior had a cozy mediterranean feel with the dining area predominantly to the left of the entrance and the bar area to the right.  While the cafe was mostly empty when we arrived it filled up by 6 pm.

After reviewing the menu, we decided the Prix Fixe would be too much food for us so we decided to order an appetizer to share and individual entrees.  The appetizer we selected was the zucchini chips which were very tasty. For our entrees, my partner ordered the risotto and I had an arugula salad. Once again, the flavors of our respective dishes did not disappoint.

For dessert, we shared an Olive Oil Cake. The cake was very moist and was nicely complimented by a fruit compote and an olive oil gelato.

Each dish was so well proportioned that we were full by the end of the meal.

For me, a good dining experience is a balance between the food quality and the service received. When it comes to service, I don't like to be seated and ignored, nor do I like to feel badgered during my meal.

Our server was a little over attentive for my taste. She approached us numerous times while we were clearly still reviewing our menus. Once we placed our orders she seemed to give us a little more space yet still interrupted us a few more times.

A pet peeve of mine is when I am unable to find someone to refill my water glass. That was not the issue here. Instead, the busboy kept our glasses of water full by reaching between us numerous times while we were eating, conversing, and trying to enjoy our meal.

I understand the server and the busboy were both trying to provide good service to us, yet both of these situations were overly intrusive to our meal and comfort.

In my opinion the food we sampled and the ambiance make Nick & Toni's worth a visit as long as you don't mind the possibility of excessive disruptions during your meal.

Parc Omega

Parc Omega is a wildlife preserve that offers visitors many options to interact with the animals.  A variety of seasonal activities are offered, one of which is a 15 kilometer route which allows visitors to drive their own cars amongst the various animals on a designated trail.  Some animals may be fed carrots which visitors may purchase in the park.  

The duration of the trail depends upon how much time one wishes to spend in the park.  We visited between Christmas and New Years and were able to see many of the animals including deer, bison, wild boar, arctic wolves, ibex and more. Since the animals approach the car for food there were many wonderful photo opportunities.  

It is wise to review and obey the safety instructions.  We accidentally opened our window a little too much and the deer stuck his whole head in the car trying to get carrots.  While the animals are contained in the park, they are still wild which should be respected.  

Additionally, we were fortunate to have arrived early in the morning.  There were not a lot of vehicles on the path with us which made our visit very pleasant.  As we were leaving there were quite a few vehicles in queue waiting to enter the park.

They have a large gift shop and a cafe on the property.  I cannot speak to the food quality since I only purchased a cup of coffee.

We were a group of four adults and we had a wonderful time feeding and photographing the animals.  This park is fun for wildlife lovers of all ages.