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For the past three-and-a-half years, I've been lucky enough to be an editor at Budget Travel. But today is my last day. The right time to quit the best job in the world is when it still feels like it's the best job in the world.
I'm moving to London, and I'll continue to contribute from there. But I'll miss our online conversation here. You've posted more than 25,000 comments. Some of my favorites have been by Iolaire and the late Tom Buqo. Your comments sparked e-mail exchanges that led to full articles, such as Toni's (always relevant) piece on how to annoy a flight attendant.
Thanks to the blogosphere for having welcomed us, too. According to Technorati, this is one of the top ten most linked-to travel blogs.
None of us can travel as much as we'd like, but if we share tips on this site, all of us can make the most of our vacations. So please keep commenting and sharing your insights!
In that spirit, let me pass along a tip. I visited the Empire State Building last week and I have to say: If you haven't been there in more than a couple of years, you ought to consider stopping by. When I last visited many years ago, there was a 90-minute wait to get to the first elevators—much of the wait spent outside in the steamy weather. This time, there was only a 20-minute wait, and all of it was inside an air-conditioned lobby that's been expanded to handle larger crowds. Officials say they've cut wait-times dramatically despite having record attendance this summer.
While you wait for the elevators, there's more to see and enjoy in the lobby than before. As part of the skyscraper's half-billion dollar renovation, the symmetrically-patterned marble, art deco murals, and antique chandeliers are now on display in their full, 1930s-worthy grandeur.
The view at the top remains as spectacular as ever, especially at night. (The last elevator ascends at 1 a.m. daily. Daily entrance hours begin at 8 a.m. esbnyc.com. admission: adults $20, ages 12–17 $18, and children $14.)
The new blog editor will say hello soon. In the meantime, enjoy the end of the summer, and thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Sean O'
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Hi Sean - just wanted to say thanks for all your work to create a fantastic online travel resource and blog. You will be missed.
I hope London will be a wonderful adventure for you. I lived in London for a year and my husband is from Brighton, so I feel like I know that neck of the woods fairly well. I was constantly in awe of all the great history and architecture in London.
With Heathrow and Gatwick, you have so much of the world at your fingertips. As newlyweds with a limited budget but a itch to travel, we found that it was fairly inexpensive and easy peasy to visit some of Europe's top cities. Our trick was to take the earliest flight out on Saturday morning. sight-see all day Saturday, stay one night in a hotel, sight-see all day Sunday, then get the latest flight back to London. Ah, those were fun times.
Wishing you many fun times to come!
Mahalo and Aloha,
Sheila
Posted By Sheila Beal on August 12, 2010, 8:42 PM
Sean,
Good luck in your next adventure. I've always appreciated your positive feedback regarding my comments.
iolaire
Posted By Iolaire McFadden on August 13, 2010, 8:55 AM
Sean, it's been a joy waking up each morning and opening BudgetTravel.com to see what fun, unusual, and enlightening articles you've posted and written. You've done such a terrific job -- I'm really sorry to see you go, but I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences in England. Don't wait too long to write a report on Indian food in London! Take plenty of photos!
Joe Routon
Haddonfield, NJ
Posted By Joe Routon on August 13, 2010, 9:29 AM
Good luck, Sean! We'll miss your voice, so don't forget to send us digital postcards from London.
Posted By Paul Brady on August 13, 2010, 9:40 AM
You've brought a myriad of topics out in the open and handled difficult discussions here with such grace. I do appreciate all the effort and enthusiasm you put into your job.
I wish you the best of luck in your move and many many happy journeys in the future!
Nicole
Posted By Nicole de B. on August 13, 2010, 10:59 AM
Thanks for your work Sean. Enjoy London!
Posted By James Clark on August 13, 2010, 9:36 PM
Say it isn't so! I'm really saddened to hear that you won't be online with us anymore. Your articles have been amazing and I will miss reading them each week. Best of luck to you!!!
Posted By Nancy Bettencourt on August 15, 2010, 11:49 AM
Oh wow Sean,
I can't believe it. Well I'm sorry to see you go but I wish you much success at your new post in London.
Congratulations!!
Posted By BlackBrad on August 16, 2010, 11:50 AM
Bon Voyage!
Posted By Toni on August 16, 2010, 1:20 PM
Sean,
It's been a joy reading all your posts - you've inspired me to explore so many places and have taught me how to do it on a budget! Good luck on your adventure - I look forward to seeing your first piece from abroad!
Posted By Jennifer Nichols on August 16, 2010, 2:13 PM
Best of luck in your new adventure.
Pat
Posted By patriciaj on August 16, 2010, 4:25 PM
I'm certainly sorry to see you go, Sean, but I know you'll be wonderfully successful whatever you end up doing. Let me know if I can ever help you out with anything!
Posted By Sheila Scarborough on August 16, 2010, 7:14 PM
Echo sentiments above, but Sean, you haven't told us what you're doing in London! Do tell!!
You couldn't make our Grantourismo http://grantourismotravels.com/ launch party there so perhaps you can make our end of project party in February?
Best of luck, Sean. Everyone will miss you here!
Posted By lara dunston on August 17, 2010, 12:02 AM