Tag: travel

  • Delta’s New A321neo First Class: Is the Hype Worth It? I Finally Found Out.

    Delta’s New A321neo First Class: Is the Hype Worth It? I Finally Found Out.

    Delta’s New A321neo First Class: Is the Hype Worth It? I Finally Found Out.

    I’ve heard people rave about Delta’s new first class cabin for months. As much as I fly, somehow I kept ending up on older aircraft. This trip finally changed that.

    Flying from Las Vegas to Cincinnati on one of Delta’s brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft (tail number N581DA), I finally got to see what all the excitement was about.

    After spending a few hours in the seat, I understand why travelers have been talking about it.

    First Impressions

    The moment you step into the cabin, it feels different.

    Delta has done a nice job making the space feel modern without going over the top. The blue and purple mood lighting gives the cabin a premium feel, especially during an early morning or evening flight. It isn’t flashy. It’s just… polished.

    One thing that immediately stood out was how clean and fresh everything looked. That’s one of the advantages of flying a brand-new airplane.

    The Seat

    This is where Delta really got it right.

    The redesigned first class seat features wraparound wings on the headrest that create just enough privacy to make your seat feel like your own little space. It’s not Delta One, but it gives you a sense of separation from the rest of the cabin that you don’t usually get in domestic first class.

    The seat itself was extremely comfortable. Plenty of support, good padding, and enough room that I never felt cramped during the flight.

    It’s one of those seats where you actually relax instead of constantly shifting around trying to get comfortable.

    Technology

    The entertainment system worked well, and the screen was crisp and responsive.

    That said, this is probably my one nitpick.

    For Delta’s newest domestic aircraft, I expected an even larger display. The screen is certainly big enough, but with how much technology has advanced, I thought they might push it a little further.

    It’s not a complaint so much as one of those moments where your expectations are incredibly high because everything else around you feels so cutting edge.

    The Cabin Atmosphere

    Sometimes it’s the little details that make the biggest difference.

    The lighting throughout the cabin created an atmosphere that felt much more upscale than a typical domestic flight. Instead of harsh white cabin lights, the ambient colors made boarding and cruising noticeably more relaxing.

    It sounds like a small thing until you experience it.

    A wider look at Delta’s newest First Class cabin.
    The ambient cabin lighting gives the aircraft a premium feel.
    Delta’s redesigned First Class seat on the Airbus A321neo.

    Is It Worth Seeking Out?

    Absolutely.

    If you’re booking Delta First Class and have the option of choosing an Airbus A321neo over an older aircraft, I’d make that choice every time.

    The improvements aren’t revolutionary by themselves, but together they create a noticeably better experience.

    Comfortable seating.
    Modern design.
    Excellent lighting.
    A cabin that simply feels premium.

    That’s exactly what domestic first class should be.

    My Rating

    Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Cabin Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Technology: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)

    Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Pags on the Go Take

    I’ve been pretty vocal lately when Delta deserves criticism, especially with some of the pricing decisions they’ve been making. So it’s only fair to give credit where it’s due.

    This cabin is excellent.

    It doesn’t reinvent domestic first class, but it refines it in all the right ways. If this is the direction Delta is taking its fleet, passengers are going to appreciate it.

    Now… if they could just make some of those fares a little easier to swallow.

    Travel Safe,

    Tommy Pags

  • Gaylord Opryland Resort Review: One of the Most Incredible Hotels You’ll Ever Get Lost In

    Gaylord Opryland Resort Review: One of the Most Incredible Hotels You’ll Ever Get Lost In

    Gaylord Opryland Resort Review: One of the Most Incredible Hotels You’ll Ever Get Lost In

    Some hotels are simply places to sleep.

    The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center isn’t one of them.

    This place is an attraction all by itself.

    The first time you walk through the doors, your brain almost has trouble processing what you’re seeing. Massive glass atriums. Winding rivers. Waterfalls. Bridges. Thousands of tropical plants. Restaurants tucked into little corners that feel like they’re part of a small village.

    It’s almost like someone built an indoor resort, then decided to put a hotel around it.

    And honestly…

    It’s one of the coolest hotels I’ve ever stayed in.

    First Impressions

    Pictures don’t prepare you for the scale of this place.

    The resort features three enormous glass atriums covering more than nine acres of indoor gardens. Inside you’ll find waterfalls, tropical plants, walking paths, restaurants, fountains, and the famous Delta River, where guests can ride flat-bottom Delta Riverboats through the indoor gardens. 

    It feels less like a hotel and more like a miniature city under glass.

    You could spend hours simply wandering around.

    There’s Always Something To Do

    One thing I really appreciated is that this isn’t just somewhere you stay between sightseeing trips.

    The resort itself is the destination.

    You can:

    • Ride the Delta Riverboats through the indoor gardens.
    • Walk the beautifully landscaped atriums.
    • Watch the light and fountain shows.
    • Visit dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops.
    • Spend time at SoundWaves, the resort’s indoor and outdoor water attraction (with the appropriate package).
    • Relax at the spa.
    • Simply sit by the river and enjoy the atmosphere. 

    There aren’t many hotels where you can spend an entire day without ever stepping outside.

    This is one of them.

    The Room

    The room itself was exactly what I’d expect from a premium Marriott property.

    Clean.

    Comfortable.

    Well maintained.

    Honestly, though…

    That’s not really why you stay here.

    The room almost becomes secondary because the real experience begins the moment you leave it.

    The Food

    I ate at several places throughout the resort during my stay.

    Overall, everything ranged from good to very good.

    I even grabbed some pizza while I was there.

    Was it the best pizza I’ve ever had?

    No.

    Was it the worst?

    Not even close.

    It was perfectly fine, and with so many dining options spread throughout the resort, there’s something for just about everyone.

    The Biggest Problem

    Now for the downside.

    This hotel is enormous.

    And I mean enormous.

    It’s beautiful.

    It’s impressive.

    It’s also one of the most confusing hotels I’ve ever been inside.

    The maps didn’t help much.

    At one point I asked an employee for directions, and they couldn’t answer my question. They actually had to bring me to another employee.

    That pretty much summed it up.

    Walking from your room to a meeting room or convention hall can easily take 20 minutes.

    That’s if you know where you’re going.

    If you don’t…

    Good luck.

    The same thing happened when heading out for the evening. Coming back from downtown Nashville meant a surprisingly long walk from the rideshare drop-off back to my room.

    It’s just part of staying at a property this size.

    Would I Stay Here Again?

    Absolutely.

    Without hesitation.

    I’d just leave earlier to get anywhere.

    The Gaylord Opryland isn’t the kind of hotel you choose because it’s convenient.

    You choose it because it’s unlike almost anything else in the country.

    The indoor gardens are breathtaking.

    The atmosphere is incredible.

    The resort is beautifully maintained.

    And Nashville remains one of my favorite cities to visit.

    Just make sure your phone is charged…

    Because you’re probably going to be using the map.

    A lot.

    My Rating

    Property: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

    Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

    Navigation: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)

    Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.8/5)

    Pags on the Go Take

    There aren’t many hotels where I tell people to set aside time just to explore the property.

    This is one of them.

    The Gaylord Opryland is one of the most unique resorts I’ve ever visited. The indoor gardens, waterfalls, riverboats, restaurants, and atmosphere make it feel like you’re walking through an indoor resort town instead of a hotel.

    Just don’t assume you’ll find your room on the first try.

    Or the second.

    Travel smart,
    Tommy Pags

  • Digital Privacy at the Border: What Every International Traveler Should Know

    Digital Privacy at the Border: What Every International Traveler Should Know

    Digital Privacy at the Border: What Every International Traveler Should Know

    By Tommy Pags | Pags on the Go

    When most people prepare for an international trip, they think about passports, boarding passes, luggage, and maybe currency exchange.

    Very few think about the one thing they carry that contains nearly their entire life:

    Their smartphone.

    For most of us, our phone isn’t just a communication device anymore. It’s our bank, our camera, our email inbox, our medical information, our travel history, our passwords, our social media accounts, and often the key to accessing almost every online service we use. That’s why digital privacy has become an important part of modern travel.

    Privacy Isn’t About Having Something to Hide

    Let’s get one thing out of the way.

    This article isn’t about avoiding law enforcement or interfering with border inspections. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has an important responsibility to protect our borders. They also have legal authority, under certain circumstances, to inspect electronic devices when travelers enter the United States. My goal isn’t to tell people how to avoid inspections. My goal is to help travelers understand just how much personal information they carry every day and encourage them to think intentionally about protecting it.

    There’s a difference.

    Just because you travel with your entire digital life doesn’t mean you should.

    Your Phone Knows More About You Than You Realize

    Think about everything stored on the average smartphone.

    • Banking apps
    • Credit cards
    • Password managers
    • Email accounts
    • Family photos
    • Medical information
    • Tax documents
    • Business files
    • Cloud storage
    • Location history
    • Travel reservations
    • Social media
    • Shopping history
    • Two-factor authentication apps

    That’s an incredible amount of personal information sitting in your pocket. Now add your smartwatch.

    Many people don’t realize their smartwatch may also contain:

    • Messages
    • Calendar appointments
    • Health data
    • Contacts
    • Payment cards
    • Authentication notifications
    • Email previews
    • Location information

    The average traveler is carrying more personal information today than most people kept in their entire home twenty years ago.

    Good Digital Hygiene Makes Sense

    Before every international trip, I recommend asking yourself a simple question:

    Do I actually need this information on my device while I’m traveling?

    Sometimes the answer is yes. Many times it isn’t. Good digital hygiene means reviewing what’s stored on your phone before you travel, removing files you don’t need, backing up important information, and making sure your device is secured with a strong passcode.

    These are good cybersecurity habits whether you’re crossing a border or not.

    Know the Rules Before You Travel

    Another part of being a smart traveler is understanding the rules before you arrive. Many travelers don’t realize that border inspections operate under different legal standards than a routine police stop inside the United States. Knowing that ahead of time helps you make informed decisions before your trip rather than being surprised at the inspection area. Preparation reduces stress.

    My Approach

    As someone who spends a significant amount of time traveling, I don’t see digital privacy as something only “privacy advocates” should care about.

    I think everyone should. Not because we’re hiding something. Because privacy has value. We lock our homes. We lock our cars. We shred financial documents.

    Protecting the information on our phones is simply the digital version of doing the same thing.

    Download the Free Practical Privacy Checklist

    Before your next international trip, download the Pags on the Go Practical Privacy Checklist.

    It covers:

    ✔ Backing up your phone

    ✔ Securing your device with a strong passcode

    ✔ Reviewing cloud storage settings

    ✔ Reducing unnecessary files

    ✔ Preparing your smartwatch

    ✔ Understanding what information you carry across the border

    Download the checklist here: 

    Final Thoughts

    Technology has made travel easier than ever. It has also made us more connected and more exposed than ever. You don’t have to be afraid of technology. You just have to be intentional about how you use it. Protect your privacy.

    Travel Smart

    Tommy Pags