TIPS FOR A BUSY TRAVEL SEASON THIS SUMMER

1. Be flexible – Summer travels are getting canceled with overbooked airlines or shortage of staffing. It’s easier to travel during shoulder season — the months before and after peak season.

Each room offers a view of the local neighborhood with the luxuries of air conditioning, high-end amenities, and comfortable bed. Other amenities include meals such as an abundant breakfast buffet to include all kinds of Spanish delicacies. The hotel restaurant offers dining within ‘The Patio,’ surrounded by olives, with a Mediterranean gastronomic offering. It’s like an oasis in the middle of Barcelona. The plants exude aromatic scents while the chirping birds makes one forget the hotel is in the middle of the city.

If you are looking for more relaxation, the hotel offers a full spa, complete with a sauna and steam rooms. In addition, an underground pool is offered for those who want to prepare for a fullbody massage, facial treatment, or other pampering treatments.

Picasso Museum (museupicassobcn.cat)

Located in the Gothic quarters, this museum is a popular attraction for art lovers and those who enjoy the artwork of Pablo Picasso. The museum presents earlier works of Picasso, highlighting traveling exhibits and other shows.

Güell Palace (inici.palauguell.cat)

To see the genius of architect Antonio Gaudi, this palace is a look behind the thinking and creativity. Ingenious interior design and creative furniture are viewed throughout the museum. This palace was donated to the city of Barcelona in hopes that visitors can enjoy and learn about the creativity of Gaudi.

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (sagradafamilia.org/en)

Catholics and faith tourists will scream Alleluia to see this unfinished Catholic church renowned throughout the world. Even for non-Catholics, the church is just breathtaking. More than 250,000 visitors purchase tickets to walk inside its majestic walls. The vibrant colors from the stained glass throughout the church is always changing and in motion --- a strategic design by Gaudi. Estimated to finish in ten years, this church has seen the work of more than ten different architects. Gaudi was the second architect.

2. Carry snacks – When traveling as a couple or with family, there is always one or two “hangry” person(s) in the group. Bring snacks for in between meals. If Yelp, Google, or TripAdvisor doesn’t show high ratings of 4 and up, move on to the next available high rating. That means moving to the next location on the map and it could be two blocks or two miles to reach the destination.

3. Dress appropriately - Summer heat might mean short skirts and strapless shirts. However, churches, cathedrals and religious centers require covering shoulders and wearing longer skirts to show respect. Bring a light scarf to cover the shoulders so you won’t be refused entrance to any sacred sites.

4. Ask about house specials – Intent on eating local? Ask for the house specials in meals and drinks. Especially in Europe, the house wine costs less than bottled water, between the price points of $2 to $5.

5. Find a tour guide – If you didn’t research before your trip or make an itinerary, enlist in a tour guide. At the end of the tour, the guide can give you a list of recommended restaurants and other attractions based on your interests.

6. Inquire about “free” upgrades – It doesn’t hurt to ask for these unanticipated perks. Hotel staff may be accommodating and most employees will go out of their way to appease a traveler exploring a city for the first time.

7. Be adventurous – Get out of your comfort zone. Vacations are meant for relaxation so be open to going with the flow.

The tako ponzu is seared octopus, scallion, and spicy ponzu sauce.

On the appetizer menu, the yellowtail sashimi plate is light in calories.

These appetizer bites are fried, breaded balls filled with diced octopus and drizzled in sauce.

This plate of nigiri features squid, shrimp, and yellowtail. Nigiri is served on a ball of rice.

Sho Sushi & Izakaya, at 6583 S. Parker Road, offers all-you-can-eat sushi, sashimi and Japanese dishes. It sits on the northwest corner of Parker and Arapahoe Roads, one of the busiest intersections in Centennial.

With 30 years of restaurant experience, Chef Sam Ahn opened Sho Sushi three years ago. Last December, the restaurant began its allyou-can-eat menu. Lunch starts at $25, while dinner costs $35. For $40, diners can select the premium menu, which includes Ika Geso (Squid Tentacles), fresh oyster, oyster tempura, and miso black cod. Sushi lovers will enjoy the wide variety of high-quality seafood items. Reservations are not required but weekends are busy. Visit the restaurant’s website at shosushico.com to check out their menu or follow them on Instagram @sho.sushi.izakaya.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Topped with jalapeno and ponzu sauce, this dish displays thinly, sliced yellowtail.

To complement the sushi, go for a hot bowl of udon noodles served with shrimp tempura.

The Flaming Roll features yellowtail, avocado, seaweed, and vinegared rice.

Hamachi Kama is the collar of the yellowtail and the fattiest part of the fish.

Late-night restaurants are hard to find, especially when you’re craving a hot bowl of noodles after a concert or nightclub. But Now Pho, located at 1195 S. Federal Blvd. in Denver, is open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

While pho bowls might be the best selection during the winter months, Now Pho offers refreshing summer items including spring rolls, grilled meat & vegetarian sandwiches, short ribs, and bubble teas—serving authentic, healthy, and delicious Vietnamese dishes.

Co-owner Toan Duc Le, who is also a Denver-based real estate investor and entrepreneur, discovered an opportunity to take over and manage the Vietnamese restaurant back in September 2017.

During the weekdays, Now Pho opens at 11 a.m. for diners, who are typically the older members of the local Vietnamese community. “Vietnamese people love soup as their breakfast,” Le shared.

“We are also slammed on the weekends,” said Le, adding that the restaurant produces more than 200 bubble tea drinks each day. Flavors include mango, strawberry, coconut, coffee, and pina colada, just to name a few.

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Grand Re-Opening in June 2023

Last month, Now Pho showcased a grand re-opening with a celebratory lion dance on June 17. That evening, customers were lined out the door after attending the Illenium: Trilogy concert at Empower Field.

During the restaurant’s four-month closure, Le spent

$20,000 to modernize the technology, which now allows customers to place orders from a kiosk or directly from their phones. They also revamped the interior with fresh paint and an open seating layout. The menu was also reduced to focus on the restaurant’s most popular items.

Unique Menu Favorites

Mi Quang / Shrimp and Pork Flat Noodle Soup This traditional, complex soup come with flat yellow noodles, pork rib, shrimp and steamed egg in a thick, rich and flavorful pork bone and seafood broth. Topped with fresh scallion, fried shallot, peanuts, herbs, a piece of rice cracker and juice of lime.

Bot Chien / Sizzling Rice Cake Egg Omelet — Pan-fried rice cake with egg, topped off with shredded preserved radish, and green onions, accompanied with pickled papaya, carrot, daikon, yu choy and house special dipping sauce.

Hue Beef Noodle Soup with Oxtail — With oversized, fat noodles plus generous servings of beef shank, the broth is created with simmering beef bones, lem ongrass, and hot chili oil.

Banh Mi Sandwiches

Served with homemade but ter, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapenos and carrots, diners can select from protein choices such as eggs & spam, grilled pork / beef / chicken / shrimp, or tofu.

Le personally enjoys the pork chop rice plate from his restaurant’s menu.