The Latest BrenCase Adventures

I do not like posting an entry that is critical of the industry in which I make my living; but injustice must be exposed, wherever it exists.

Read the following articles for information on a human rights issue that I think you need to know about:

Cruise Ships: Dark Secrets Below Deck

Sweatships - a living hell below decks

Also check out the

Facebook campaign against such exploitation

Many of you know that I am a bit of a BBQ fanatic - I like it!  I should reiterate here that I find it difficult to discover bad BBQ, but I am partial to the Memphis and Texas styles.  The North Carolina style has not been able to make a lot of progress in the 23 years I have lived in the state.  But one of my NC favorites is Jim's Famous BBQ  in Chapel Hill.  The primary reason is that it has a superb tomato based sauce that rivals many Memphis and Texas sauces.  But you can also choose the vinegar based North Carolina sauce.

Last night I had the St. Louis cut ribs - pictures at BrenCase Adventures Facebook page.

I am on one of my three to four trips to Chapel Hill NC that I make each year.  I generally always come in the night before my meeting, and have some favorite hotels that I try to use.  I am in one of those on this trip.  The Sheraton Chapel Hill is a three star property in a superb location (most locations in Chapel Hill are okay).  I have my own rating of each star rating - I give this hotel an 8.5 on a ten scale of all three star hotels I have experienced.

Amenities include:

• free wi-fi in each room
• Starbucks coffee in the room (packets for two 12 ounce cups)
• Starwood Preferred Guest amenities like complimentary bottle of water and free USA Today newspaper delivered to room

Now here is the really good part:  Contact phillip@brencase.com to learn how you might get a room at this hotel for as little as $67 per night (plus taxes); a three star hotel for a two star price.

Where have I been!  March and April were just too busy.  I will try once again to keep you updated with travel news you can use.

One of the perks of being a Certified Sandals Specialist is visiting the Sandals resorts.  I am presently at Beaches Negril and want to give you information and reviews at least two or three times during my stay.

Beaches Negril is about an hour and a half ride from Montego Bay airport.  It is a very windy road, but a good one, generally following the northwest coast line.  The shuttle bus carried us through quite a few little towns, even stopping about two thirds of the way to Negril for a refreshment and restroom break.  This is a good place to get your first taste of jerk chicken and A Red Stripe beer in Jamaica.

Beaches Negril is on Seven Mile Beach just a few miles north of Negril.  Also on this beach only a mile or so from Beaches Negril are Beaches Sandy Bay and Sandals Negril.  I will post a few pictures of those resorts if I have the opportunity to visit them.  I will also be writing some resort reviews in the coming days - check back daily!

Go to the Sandals/Beaches web page for unedited pictures that will be updated each day of the trip.  I will try to edit and label tham after my return.  These pictures and others at the web page give a genuine look at the resorts from the eye of my camera, not a flashy internet picture that sometimes looks better than the real thing (and usually is!).

I have said for a long time I want to let you know about what we have in western North Carolina.  I promised to write about travel in our state and review restaurants and all the activities of these beautiful mountains.  Well, it is never too late to start!

One of the area's favorite restaurants has opened a new store in Hendersonville at 1508 Asheville Hwy (less than one mile from BrenCase Adventures).  Iannucci's has been a Hendersonville Road fixture in South Asheville for many years.

I am not going to give you all of my reasons for loving this place; but I will give you a couple of hints:

• Don't miss the bread sticks.
• Don't think there has been a mistake on your check - best prices in the area for absolutely superb Italian food.

Check out a menu HERE; both locations offer essentially the same choices.  Tell them Phillip sent you!






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When a major snowstorm hit the eastern U.S. just before Christmas, paralyzing air travel from New York's JFK airport on December 20, two couples connecting from Europe to Miami for a Crystal cruise leaving the next day realized their flight was canceled.  They got together and did what savvy travelers do in New York: They hailed a taxi and took it all the way to Miami.

The tab for the almost 24 hour ride?  A cool $10,000.

Both couples agreed it was money well spent.  They enjoyed the cruise and have stayed in touch with the cab driver.



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