With this new travelogue, we are proud to announce our latest contest sponsored by our friends at American Airlines!
Win Your Dream Trip with Charles Fazzino and American Airlines
Here's your opportunity to win roundtrip coach class air transportation for two to anywhere American flies within the continental United States.
American Airlines offers service to 250 cities in over 40 countries. We know why you fly!
Contest details are at the end of this installment of "Travels with Charles: Los Angeles"
Los Angeles Character
Last month, I went to one of my favorite places - Los Angles, CA! I often describe Los Angeles as the “New York of the West Coast.” It’s busy, exciting, and it has everything as far as shopping and restaurants. But, the weather’s better than New York and the traffic is worse! In fact, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world. The major difference is that things are so spread out there, whereas NY is pretty compact. My daughter, Heather, is just itching to move out there. 
Maybe someday her mom and I will let her .
Air Transportation
American Airlines offers service to Los Angeles from 31 cities with 118 daily flights. Experience American's GoGo Inflight Internet Service and Mobile Boarding Pass Service when traveling to LA.
Accomodations
Well, I must start with a little shameless self-promotion. I left New York out of the new American Airlines Terminal at JFK International Airport where I saw the first two pieces of the collection I’m creating for them up on the walls. I’ve been working with AA for several months already and plan to turn their beautiful terminal into a world of Fazzino. I’m having a great time with that so stay tuned for more.
Anyway, I stayed at the incredible Intercontinental Hotel in downtown LA. It’s on the Boulevard of Stars and used to be the Park Hyatt. It’s a beautifully decorated hotel with gorgeous fountains, glamorous rooms, and a Mercedes that’s ready to take you wherever you want to go. Each room has a balcony overlooking the Hollywood Hills and I was lucky enough to get one of the rooms in the back of the hotel where you can see the Fox Studios backlot and see whatever they are filming. I highly recommend this hotel….AND the watermelon salad in the restaurant!
Dining
I love Wolfgang Puck so I just HAD to try Cut. I'd never been there. I had the soft shell crab in a Thai sauce and it was amazing. I also highly recommend the garlic and pistachio-encrusted lamb with sweet potato casserole. It was a special the day I was there. The menu is well-priced and they had a fantastic wine list. And their homemade bread is to die for!
My favorite place in LA for lunch is Bertolinis. It’s on the corner of Beverly Drive, one block from Rodeo. It’s authentic Italian. They have 12 other restaurants, but all are in Italy. This is their only restaurant in the US and it’s a real experience. They have homemade authentic pastas and exotic Sicilian oils for dipping bread. Mangia!
Attractions
I’m listing the Pink Taco here because it’s more of an attraction than a dining spot. You can’t 
leave LA without eating there. It’s in Century City at the outdoor mall and it’s a must-stop!
I try to take a drive out to Griffiths Park Observatory every time I’m out in LA. It’s where James Dean filmed “Rebel Without a Cause” and the views from up there are incredibly breathtaking. You can see the entire city from up there. The Getty Museum is also one of my favorite haunts. Not only does it have an incredible collection of European Antiques and Tapestries, but it’s situated at the top of the Pacific Palisades and you can stand up there and look down over the ocean.
Of course, I must go by the Santa Monica Pier and visit my friend Helen Randall at the Art One Gallery. The pier is where you go to take in the local flavor – eclectic shopping and great junk food. The crazy street performers are always out and it’s always a good time.
Safe Travels!
--Charles
Photos (Top to Bottom)
Charles and Susan Fazzino in LA ; Getty Museum
Enter the "Dream Trip with Charles Fazzino and American Airlines" contest now! Play the Charles Fazzino Word Scramble
Charles Fazzino is proud to be the official artist of American Airlines. In 2007, Fazzino celebrated 80 Years of American Airlines Service to the New York Metropolitan Area with an artwork titled “American Airlines: A Legacy of Service to New York.” Now, that original painting, along with several others, are decorating the beautiful new American Airlines terminal inside New York’s JFK International Airport.
Together, Fazzino and AA are happy to offer you the opportunity to treat yourself to the vacation of a lifetime. Just Play Fazzino’s Word Scramble for your chance to win!
When unscrambled, the five phrases below, translate into elements that you can find in Charles Fazzino’s “A Manhattan Silhouette Mural” limited edition artwork. Here’s a link to the image, in case you need some help – Manhattan Silhouette Mural.
You must unscramble all five phrases to be eligible for the final drawing.
Email your answers with your name and telephone number to info@fazzinocollectors.com OR mail your entry (don’t forget to include your name and telephone number) in an envelope marked “Fazzino’s Word Scramble” to:
Museum Editions, Ltd.
32 Relyea Place
New Rochelle, NY 10801
All entries must be received or postmarked by March 1, 2010 at 12:00PM. All correct responses will be entered into a drawing for one grand price, two first runner-up prizes, and 50 second runner-up prizes.
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etsuat fo iyertbl
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nmaeraic eliarins lepan
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sadnoisur ni vole
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mipree seatt guidblin
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etacnrl arpk
One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive: Roundtrip coach air transportation for two to anywhere American Airlines flies within the continental United States and a matted limited edition “Now Playing on Broadway” artwork personally dedicated by Charles Fazzino. Travel must originate from the city American Airlines flies to that is closest to your hometown.
Two (2) First Runners-Up will receive: A matted limited edition “Now Playing on Broadway” artwork personally dedicated by Charles Fazzino.
Fifty (50) Second Runners-Up will receive: an autographed 18” x 24” poster of Charles Fazzino’s tribute to American Airlines “A Legacy of Service to New York.”
Click here for a complete set of Official Contest Rules.