Iniala Harbour House and Residences, Malta’s newest five-star luxury hotel is now open

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 10, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

Travel news from around the world

Malta: The Iniala hotel has opened earlier this year. Located on the prestigious and historic St. Barbara Bastion, the hotel overlooks the Grand Harbour.

The 23 designed rooms are spread across four townhouses and their ancient vaults, dating back to the 1600s.

Situated on their stunning rooftop, ION – The Harbour offers an award-winning dining experience that ventures beyond the usual boundaries of fine dining. Within less than six months of opening, ION – The Harbour was awarded the prestigious Michelin Star.

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Carnival Corporation to Provide Convenient Access to Pre-Board Testing

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 10, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

Travel news from around the world

Sept. 10, 2021 Guests may schedule appointments for COVID-19 viral testing from Quest Diagnostics at 1,500 locations nationwide

Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, today announced a new initiative making pre-board testing more convenient and accessible for its guests. The effort will facilitate access to pre-cruise COVID-19 viral testing for guests of Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn at more than 1,500 convenient Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) patient service centers and retail pharmacy testing locations throughout the U.S.

The program helps streamline pre-cruise preparation for guests planning to sail aboard Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line or Seabourn. Currently, all guests, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 viral test taken no more than three days before their embarkation, along with additional health and safety requirements. Beginning September 13, 2021 and after, in accordance with CDC directives, all vaccinated guests must present a negative COVID-19 viral test taken no more than two days before their embarkation (for example, if a cruise leaves on a Saturday, guests should schedule their tests for the Thursday before embarking). Details about requirements are available on the Carnival Corporation cruise line brand websites.

The pre-board test (molecular or antigen) is one of the added measures recently implemented by the company’s cruise lines, which have been operating with enhanced health and safety protocols designed to change as needed to adapt to the evolving public health environment.

“Access to testing continues to play an important role in the restart of our guest operations, and working with Quest simplifies the process for our guests by making it easier to access convenient testing options from a trusted national laboratory provider,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. “These testing protocols are part of our layered approach to safeguarding the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit.”

Guests may schedule testing with Quest Diagnostics at more than 1,500 locations, including Quest Diagnostics patient service centers and select Walmart and other retail pharmacy locations throughout the U.S. Appointments are required and may be scheduled online via secure link provided by Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line or Seabourn. Results are typically available within 48 hours via email or mobile application*.

Carnival Corporation has worked closely with health and medical experts globally and nationally, as well as with authorities in destination countries, to put in place comprehensive health and safety protocols for protection and mitigation across the entire cruise experience for all of the company’s nine brands. This includes cross-industry learnings and best practices based on the proven health and safety record of industrywide sailings, and input from top scientists and public health, epidemiological and policy experts. Details about enhanced protocols, including the latest information and requirements for each Carnival Corporation cruise line brand, are available at their websites.

*Turnaround time can fluctuate with demand, supplies and other factors, and vary by region.

About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world’s largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world’s leading cruise lines sailing to all seven continents. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.seabourn.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com and www.cunard.com.

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Heuriger wine tavern to be opened at Schönbrunn Palace

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 10, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Restaurant.

Travel news from around the world

Vienna:
From autumn 2021, there will be a new culinary goal for visitors of Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens in Vienna. A Heuriger (wine tavern) will be opening between the orangery and main entrance. The Gardens will remain open for longer so that guests can enjoy the Heuriger atmosphere into the evening. Up until now the gates closed at 8 pm in September.

The real Viennese “heurige” or wine taverns are famous in Austria. Songs are dedicated to them and they function as a backdrop in movies. It is all about Vienna, Viennese entertainment, wine and food.

Spotted in Austria Tourism Office information

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New airline replaces Alitalia and starts October 15 – ITA

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 9, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Travel news from around the world

The new airline being created to replace the long financially ailing Alitalia will take off on Oct. 15 with its first flights.

Alitalia stopped selling tickets for flights after 15 October as ITA moves closer to take-off.

Italia Trasporto Aereo is scheduled to launch on 15 October, having obtained its operating licence from the Italian civil aviation authority ENAC last week.

At midnight last night, 24 August, Alitalia ceased selling tickets for flights departing after 15 October, the day ITA takes to the skies.

In a statement, the ministry said the new company, ITA, will be fully operating on that date, following the positive outcome of discussions with the European Union’s executive commission. Alitalia’s last flights apparently will operate on Oct. 14.

EU competition officials expressed concerns for years that the Italian government’s financial support for Alitalia violated the bloc’s rules.

“The discussion with the European Commission has permitted to arrive at a constructive and balanced solution that guarantees the necessary discontinuity in respect to European rules,″ the ministry said.

ITA stands for Italia Trasporto Aereo, or Italy Air Transport. But precisely what name or logo will be on the new airline’s planes is still unclear. There will be public bidding for the brand “Alitalia,” which ITA said it will compete for.

The deal to create the new airline calls for slashing the number of slots, especially at Rome’s main, Leonardo da Vinci airport. Milan’s Linate Airport, popular with business travelers since it is close to Italy’s financial and fashion industry capital, will also see some slots reduced.

Among its routes, ITA said it plans to operate flights to New York from Milan and Rome, and to Tokyo Boston and Miami from Rome. Destinations from Rome and Milan’s Linate airport will include Paris, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Geneva.

Italian news agency LaPresse, quoting a statement from ITA, reported that ITA’s board on Thursday approved an industrial plan for the new company starting this year and running through 2025.

ITA, according to its statement, plans to operate a fleet of seven wide-body and 45 narrow-body aircraft at the start and to add 26 more planes later this year. By the end of 2025, ITA aims for a fleet of as many as 105 aircraft.

Spotted in AP news

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4 New Airline Routes That Will Supercharge Your Travel Plans in 2024!

KLM flies travellers to Canada again

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 8, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Travel news from around the world

07 September 2021
KLM flies to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal several times a week. KLM also operates an even larger network in Canada in collaboration with its partner Westjet. Vaccinated travellers who have a negative PCR test result will be able to make use of this service again starting Tuesday 7 September, when they can once again fly to Canada.

Pieter Elbers, President and Chief Executive Officer, KLM: “We are delighted that the Canadian government is setting a good example by allowing vaccinated people to travel again. Thanks to its decision to ease restrictions, we can once again do what we do best: connect people and give them an unforgettable experience. Our customers can now reunite with their families in Canada, or do business face-to-face. Being able to fly passengers to our various Canadian destinations is an important milestone and another step on the road to recovery. We hope that travel restrictions to and from the US will also be lifted soon.”

KLM: strict hygiene standards, flexible booking and outstanding customer ratings

KLM is committed to flying passengers to their destinations as safely as possible. KLM maintains the highest possible hygiene standards before, during and after the flight. Its efforts have been recognised with the APEX Diamond Award, making KLM one of the leading airlines in terms of hygiene and health safety. KLM offers its customers maximum flexibility when it comes to booking, rescheduling or cancelling their trip and has retained its five-star APEX status based on global passenger service and product ratings.

Canadian network

KLM is offering the following flights to destinations in Canada in September:

Destination	Days of the week	Times
Vancouver	Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat	departure 11:15 arrival 12:05
Toronto	Daily	departure 10:50 arrival 12:45
Montreal	Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun	departure 15:20 arrival 16:50
Calgary	Daily	departure 12:10/12:25 arrival 13:15/13:30
Edmonton (via Calgary)	Thu/Sat	departure 12:10 arrival 16:15

source: KLM

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Lufthansa – mobile check-in possible again on many flights

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 8, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Travel news from around the world

September 1, 2021 – Mobile check-in possible again on many flights with Lufthansa

EU vaccination certificates now digitally verifiable
Automatic issuance of boarding pass now possible on all weekly 2000 flights from non-risk areas of the Schengen area

Lufthansa is once again offering its passengers a more convenient check-in process. On all 2000 weekly flights from non-risk areas of the Schengen area (currently from Spain, Italy or Sweden, for example) to Germany, travelers can once again have their boarding pass issued directly on their smartphone when checking in. This is made possible by the automatic and digital verification of EU vaccination certificates, which prove full vaccination protection, and Covid-19 test results from the Centogene laboratory.

During mobile check-in, the QR codes of the paper certificates can now be scanned and thus checked quickly and conveniently. This means that the digital boarding pass can be issued and an additional document check at the check-in counter at the airport is no longer necessary.

But the same applies to many other flights: anyone who is concerned that they do not have the right certificates for the trip can have them checked by a Lufthansa Service Center up to 72 hours before departure. These can be proof of tests, a survived Covid-19 disease and vaccinations. Confirmations of digital entry applications can also be checked in this way. Thanks to new digital solutions, the check is now partly automatic and therefore much faster, also at the Service Center.

The airline advises its guests that in addition to the digital proof, the printed original certificates must still be carried on the trip until further notice.

Which documents must be carried and where Covid-19 tests can also be made for the return journey can be read here lufthansa.travel-regulations.com.

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South Korea launches K-ETA, Electronic Travel Authorization

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 8, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

Travel news from around the world

South Korea: From September 1, 2021, South Korea has launched a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization system, known as K-ETA. It is a new electronic authorization allowing visa-free travelers to visit the country.

Foreign nationals will only be able to enter South Korea without a visa by registering for a K-ETA. Upon acquiring the waiver, visitors will be exempt from submitting arrival cards, enabling them to clear immigration quickly.

It permits eligible travelers to visit South Korea for short stays for tourism, visiting family members, or business activities. In addition, the K-ETA is valid for 2 years, allowing the holder a stay of between 30 to 180 days per entry, depending on the nationality.

Visitors must apply for the K-ETA at least 24 hours before boarding the flight. Those who apply now can also use the visa waiver for future trips to South Korea.

To enter the country for purposes other than those authorized with the K-ETA or for extended consecutive stays, travelers must contact the nearest South Korean Embassy.

How to get a K-ETA

Application form: Click Here

To complete the online form, applicants need to enter basic information including:

✓ Personal details: name, nationality, date of birth

✓ Contact information: including email address

✓ Passport data: passport number, issue, and expiry date

✓ Health and security information

✓ A recent individual photo

✓ A non-refundable application fee of 10,000 KRW (about 7,5 euros) is paid using a debit or credit card to finalize the request.

On approval, the travel permit is sent to the applicant by email.

Travel Conditions

✓ For a full list of eligible countries, Click Here

✓ All travelers must stay in quarantine for 14 days on arrival in South Korea at designated facilities (at their own expense)

✓ A negative Covid-19 test is required for all passengers no more than 72 hours before departure

For essential information and further details, Click Here

source: Phoenix Voyages

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Qatar Airways – Strong in Africa, restarting routes to Ghana, Egypt and two New Gateways in Africa- Lusaka and Harare

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 7, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Travel news from around the world

Lusaka and Harare Now Boarding – Qatar Airways Debuts Two New Gateways in Africa

‎ 08 August 2021
The award-winning airline now operates to 27 cities in Africa, including six new destinations introduced during the COVID pandemic, further consolidating its strong network position on the continent among other international airlines

Passengers can enjoy greater travel options to the widest global network operated by any airline based in the region, via Hamad International Airport, the Best Airport in the Middle East

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways enhanced its presence in Southern Africa with the launch of a new linked service between Doha and Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. To mark this milestone, the new linked service was inaugurated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class.

Qatar Airways now operates to Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). The country’s largest city and commercial centre, Lusaka is the gateway to experiencing Zambia’s legendary tourist attractions from the Victoria Falls which it shares with Zimbabwe, to game reserves and a variety of wildlife. Meanwhile, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, will be served via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) is also a destination with rich culture, World Heritage–listed archaeological sites, and diverse natural landscapes. The aircraft was greeted in Lusaka and Harare by traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival.

The airline has demonstrated its steadfast commitment to Africa throughout the pandemic having significantly grown its network by adding four routes to Accra, Abidjan, Abuja, Luanda and restarting services to Alexandria, Cairo and Khartoum bringing its footprint to 27 destinations in 21 countries. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways also signed an interline agreement with RwandAir giving customers greater access to the combined networks of both airlines.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We have ambitious plans for Africa which is one of the fastest-growing economic regions of the world, with rising consumer demand and an abundance of natural resources. We see enormous potential in not just outbound travel from Zimbabwe and Zambia, but also inbound traffic from India, UK, and Americas. We look forward to strengthen trade and tourism links between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and destinations on the Qatar Airways network, and steadily grow these routes to support the recovery of tourism and trade in the region.”

Businesses and traders will also benefit from the airline’s cargo offering, allowing more than 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, each way to support the two countries’ exports such as vegetables and flowers to destinations on the Qatar Airways network such as London, Frankfurt and New York and multiple points in China. Imports will consist of pharmaceuticals, automotive and technology equipment.

Customers can look forward to the quintessential on-board hospitality from Qatar Airways’ cosmopolitan cabin crew, including Zambian and Zimbabwean nationals, and a generous baggage allowances ranging from 46 Kg for Economy Class split over two pieces and 64 Kg split over two pieces in Business Class. For more information, please visit https://www.qatarairways.com/en-qa/baggage/allowance.html

As travellers return to the skies with Qatar Airways, they can take comfort knowing that they are travelling with the only airline in the world that has, together with its state-of-the-art global hub Hamad International Airport, achieved four 5-Star Skytrax ratings – including the prestigious 5-Star Airline Rating, 5-Star Airport Rating, 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating and 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.

For full details of all the measures that have been implemented on board and in HIA, please visit www.qatarairways.com/safety.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. Hamad International Airport was also recently announced as the “World’s Best Airport” in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards.

Flight Schedule:

Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (all times local)

Doha (DOH) to Lusaka (LUN) QR1455 departs: 02:20 arrives: 08:50

Lusaka (LUN) to Harare (HRE) QR1455 departs: 10:20 arrives: 11:20

Harare (HRE) to Lusaka (LUN) QR1456 departs: 18:55 arrives 19:55

Lusaka (LUN) to Doha (DOH) QR1456 departs: 21:25 arrive 05:55 (+1)

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Israel will allow tourist groups starting Sept. 19

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 7, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

Travel news from around the world

Israel To Allow Tourist Groups Starting Sept. 19

In what is being called a “pilot program” for the country, Israel will allow groups of visitors from select foreign nations – the United States included – beginning Sept. 19.

In order to qualify, the tourists will need to present proof of a second vaccination recognized by the Israeli Health Ministry received within the last six months or of a third vaccination, according to the Jerusalem Post.

When they land, visitors will not be subject to isolation but will be required to take a serological test to prove the presence of antibodies in their blood.

Only tourists coming from countries deemed safe by the Israeli Health Ministry can be part of the groups. Currently, these include all the nations in the world except for Brazil, Bulgaria, Mexico and Turkey.

For travel agents and tour operators, you can submit requests for groups to travel to Israel that range from 5 to 30 members. Individual tourists are still not allowed into the country, which just opened its borders on a limited basis earlier this year.

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Travel advice Maldives

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 6, 2021. Posted in Travel Advice.

Latest Travel advice Maldives

COVID-19 Updates – 2nd September 2021 Maldives
The latest update was posted by Visit The Maldives.

If a case of COVID-19 is identified in a tourist facility, procedures are set in place for the property to work with the government of Maldives to ensure safe return of unaffected tourists to their home country.
The government of Maldives is closely monitoring and enforcing measures to prevent any effective community spread of the virus.

Latest regulations when traveling to the Maldives

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Amazing travel facts Finland

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 6, 2021. Posted in Amazing Facts.

AMAZING TRAVEL FACTS

Did you know that there is a sport where a man has to carry his wife through an obstacle course? Amazing, right?

Legend has it that men stole wives from neighboring villages in the 19th century and this is where it originates from. This competition is now held all over the world, but do you know where the sport was invented? We can travel to see it in July.

Amazing, right?

Do you know where we need to travel to cheer them on?

It is indeed Finland.

A wife-carrying contest is actually a lot like it sounds. Men, carrying wives, race through an obstacle course that includes sand, water and fences. The prize for winning the race is the wife’s weight in beer. It’s really all very civilized.

The Wife Carrying World Championships are hosted each July in the Finnish town of Sonkajärven. The contest’s popularity has inspired similar events in the United States, Australia, Ireland and even China, among others. Some contests — like the North American Wife Carrying Championships — award money to winners to pay for travel expenses to compete in the big leagues — Finland. Even celebrity and former U.S. NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman competed at Sonkajärven — although he only ran the last 100 meters of the course, claiming he wasn’t prepared for such a grueling contest.

You’ll find wife-carrying contests all over the globe, but the Finnish competition is the mother race. In 2008, 39 couples competed, and historically, the competition has included Finnish, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, American, Australian, English, Kenyan, Swedish, German, and Estonian competitors [source: Sonkajärvi]. Two Estonians — Margo Uusorg and Birgit Ulricht — share the wife-carrying world record of 55.5 seconds.

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What’s cooking in Finland – Lohikeitto

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 6, 2021. Posted in Whats cooking.

What’s cooking? World recipes

Lohikeitto is a delicious traditional hearty and creamy soup prepared with salmon that is originally from Finland.

Ingredients

½ lb fresh salmon
1½ lb white potatoes
1 onion
½ leek
2 cups heavy cream
1½ cup fish stock (or water)
½ bunch dill
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt
Pink peppercorns whole

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Cut the potatoes, onion and leek into small pieces. Cut the salmon into small ½ inch (1cm) thick strips.
Cook potatoes, onion and leeks in boiling fish stock or salted water.
Once the potatoes are cooked, add the cream, bring to a boil then reduce heat to low.
Add salmon, making sure not to break it.
Add half the dill and simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.
Add the butter, salt. Add a few pink peppercorns. Sprinkle with remaining dill before serving.
Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Finnish, Scandinavian

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 755kcal

Author: Vera Abitbol

Spotted in 196flavors

If you’ve never tried it please make sure to ask for it when you travel to Finland

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Norwegian adds news routes and reopens old ones

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 6, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Travel news from around the world

Based on demand, Norwegian has opened new routes to destinations in Europe this Autumn. From Bergen passengers can fly direct to Berlin, Krakow, Malaga, Alicante, Antalya, Chania, Copenhagen and London. From Ålesund there is a now direct route to Alicante.

“We have reopened several routes that have been suspended since the pandemic started. It is now possible again to travel to several cities in Europe, such as Pisa, Edinburgh, Munich, Prague and Vienna. We know that the pandemic can still affect people’s ability to travel, however, we will continue to adapt our network to the positive trend in passenger demand,” continued Geir Karlsen.

Norwegian had an average of 38 aircraft in operation in August. A total of 99.8 per cent of the planned flights were operated in August, of which 91.9 per cent departed on time.

Norwegian’s traffic figures for August show a continued increase in the number of passengers. The number of future bookings has also continued to increase in line with Norwegian’s expanding route network as more people are fully vaccinated and EU / EEA countries accept international COVID certificates for travel.

Due to increased demand, Norwegian has further expanded the autumn season route offering.

“We are pleased with the positive increase in passenger numbers and demand. Everybody at Norwegian has worked incredibly hard to achieve these results and we will continue to deliver good customer experiences while running our business as efficiently as possible”. Said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

In August, Norwegian carried 790 220 passengers, one and a half times more than at the same time last year. Compared with August 2020, the total capacity (ASK) has increased by 129 per cent and passenger traffic (RPK) up 168 per cent. Furthermore, the load factor in August was 72.6 per cent, an increase of 10 percentage points compared with last year.

Source: Norwegian airlines

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Portugal lifts travel ban on tourists from Brazil

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 3, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

Travel news from around the world

Portugal said on Wednesday it would allow entry for tourists from Brazil, nearly 18 months after it imposed a ban on non-essential travel from the Portuguese-speaking South American nation to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Although Brazilians, who make up Portugal’s biggest expatriate community, were allowed access for reasons such as work, family or health, the lifting of the tourism ban has been long-awaited.

Portugal is now open to tourists from the European Union who present the bloc’s digital COVID-19 certificate, as well as the United States, from where visitors must show a negative test result on arrival.

Travellers from Brazil now no longer need to quarantine but must provide a negative COVID-19 test. The same rule applies to visitors from Britain, according to the government.

Spotted in Reuters

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EuroSkills St Petersburg 2022 rescheduled for 2023

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 3, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events.

Events from around the world

WorldSkills Europe and the Organising Committee of EuroSkills St Petersburg 2022 officially announced today the postponement of EuroSkills St Petersburg 2022 by one year to 2023.

The new dates for EuroSkills St Petersburg 2023 have been scheduled for 16 – 20 August 2023.

The decision to reschedule the event was taken following the rescheduling of EuroSkills Graz to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WorldSkills Europe announced in December that EuroSkills Herning 2024 has also been postponed by one year to 2025.

The changes to the WorldSkills Europe schedule of events mean that all future EuroSkills Competitions will continue to take place in alternate years to WorldSkills Competitions.

Dita Traidas, President of WorldSkills Europe, said: “We are very grateful for the responsive support of WorldSkills Russia, the government of the city of St Petersburg, and the St Petersburg EXPOFORUM, who have worked to make the rescheduling of EuroSkills St Petersburg possible. We appreciate their continued devotion and investment which means we can continue to showcase the WorldSkills movement across Europe.”

Russia’s hosting of EuroSkills St Petersburg 2023 is arranged by a partnership consisting of WorldSkills Russia, the government of St Petersburg, and the St Petersburg EXPOFORUM.

Spotted in WorldSkills

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Ticket sale starts for IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Helsinki

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 3, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events, Sports.

Events from around the world

Tickets on sale now for IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Helsinki
September 2, 2021

The ticket sale for next spring’s IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship will start on September 2. Tickets for the games in Helsinki will go on sale, and for games in Tampere games the ticket sale will start with a draw. In the draw, one can win the right to purchase day tickets. The details of the ticket draw and the prices of the day tickets on sale have now been published.

You can find the ticket draw and ticket sale here.

The right to buy tickets to games played in Tampere will be drawn – equality being the goal

Tickets for the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship will go on sale for the first time through a draw. In the draw, one can win purchase rights to the day tickets for the games to be played in Tampere. Registration for the draw starts on 2 September and ends on 26 September. Day tickets for the games played in Helsinki will go on sale directly on 2 September.

Spotted in IIHF news

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Etihad anticipating surge in demand as Abu Dhabi opens to fully vaccinated travellers

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 3, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Travel news from around the world

Etihad anticipating surge in demand as Abu Dhabi opens to fully vaccinated travellers
September 2, 2021

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is prepared for a boost in travel to and from Abu Dhabi following the government’s announcement to remove the quarantine requirement for all vaccinated travellers arriving from abroad.

Fully vaccinated travellers (with vaccines approved by the World Health Organization) can arrive from all international destinations without the need to quarantine. All travellers will require a PCR test within 48 hours of departure, a test on arrival and retesting on select days depending on the country they have travelled from. Unvaccinated travellers, however, should follow the rules according to the destination they are arriving from.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad, commented: “The news is perfectly timed to begin welcoming the world back to Abu Dhabi. We expect a huge surge in demand from tourists and visiting friends and relatives from around the world. This will also give UAE residents greater flexibility and peace of mind when travelling globally.

“The emirate has delivered one of the world’s best public health programmes to protect the population with an extremely high vaccination rate, and smart technologically-driven solutions such as the Al Hosn app to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

“This is a huge step forward as the UAE prepares to host the EXPO 2020, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and many more global events over the coming months.

“Etihad is currently operating to 65 passenger destinations with one of the world’s youngest and most sustainable fleets. We look forward to welcoming our guests to Abu Dhabi with Etihad to enjoy this world-class destination – an emirate and capital city we’re so proud to call our home.”

Flying with Etihad is supported by the Etihad Wellness programme which has been introduced to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Etihad was the first airline in the world to fully vaccinate its crew on board. Etihad also requires 100% of its passengers to show a negative PCR test before boarding to protect the inflight environment, which is now recognised to be one of the best in the world.

The airline has implemented an extensive sanitisation and wellness programme and is practising the highest standards of hygiene at every part of the customer journey. This includes catering, aircraft and cabin deep-cleaning, check-in, health screening, boarding, inflight, crew interaction, meal service, disembarkation and ground transportation, among others.

More information on the stringent measures being taken by Etihad to provide a healthy and hygienic travel experience is available at etihad.com/wellness. As a precautionary measure, guests travelling on Etihad Airways flights are required to wear a face mask throughout their journey.

Those wishing to book with Etihad are advised to visit etihad.com to view their options and to remain informed of the appropriate entry requirements for Abu Dhabi. Flights are also available for booking through the mobile app, by calling the Etihad contact centre on +971 600 555 666 (UAE), or through a local or online travel agency.

Spotted on Etihad news

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Belgium lifts more restrictions on September 1st

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 1, 2021. Posted in Travel Advice.

Latest Travel advice Belgium

Belgian health authorities have decided to lift several restrictions from September 1, as the country is close to meeting the goal of 70 per cent of the population being vaccinated in all municipalities.

Following the news shared in a press release, tourists travelling to Belgium will be able to attend numerous events and activities, such as private gatherings, parties and organized activities with no curfew or capacity restriction imposed.

Furthermore, travellers visiting bars and restaurants will no longer be limited to strict opening and closing hours and no distance between tables have to be applied. However, the serving personnel are obliged to continue wearing a face mask, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

But travellers will be able to attend nightclubs and dance halls only after October 1.

Moreover, tourists visiting Belgium will be able to attend indoor events with less than 200 participants or outdoor events with less than 400 attendees, which from October 1, is set to be raised to 500 attendees. However, travellers won’t be able to visit the Brussels-Capital Region, as the region will not be relaxing restrictions to that point.

>>Rules for Travelling to Belgium During Summer 2021

Tourists will be free from wearing a mask requirement from September 1, unless they are visiting an indoor event with more than 200 spectators or an outdoors event with 400 attendees.

Previously, the Belgian government has facilitated even more travelling to the country, after recognising England’s and Wales’s COVID-19 vaccination passport.

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“Today, no Schengen country is on this list, but this situation could very well evolve. In this case, we should be able to act quickly,” Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.

This document will allow vaccinated travellers to enter the country without having to undergo quarantine or testing requirements upon arrival.

Furthermore, Belgium has successfully connected to the EUDCC previously, starting to issue the EU Digital COVID-19 Vaccination Passport to its citizens and providing safe travel amid the pandemic.

All people who have been fully vaccinated, who have recovered from the virus or tested negative are eligible to obtain the document. However, travellers have to be vaccinated with one of the European Medicines Agency authorised vaccines as the following list indicates:

Comirnaty (BioNTech, Pfizer)
Moderna
Vaxzevria (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, Oxford)
Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)

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Quarantine free between Singapore and Germany

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 1, 2021. Posted in Travel Advice.

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Quarantine-free travel to Singapore Daily flights as of 16 September in cooperation with Singapore Airlines

Quarantine-free entry to Singapore only if travel begins in Germany

Entry into Singapore from Germany for fully vaccinated travelers will be possible again as of 8 September. A previously imposed quarantine upon arrival in Singapore will no longer be required from this point on. Germany is the first country with which the mega city in Southeast Asia has signed an agreement to this effect.

The quarantine exemption applies to specific flights, known as Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights. Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines will jointly offer one of these VTL flights every day, either from Frankfurt or Munich, beginning on 16 September. Bookings are already possible. Customers will also be able to register for VTL flights on a Singapore government website beginning on 1 September.

“Singapore opening up not only enables people to visit friends and family or meet business partners again, but also sends an important signal to other countries in the region,” says Elise Becker, Head of Sales for Lufthansa in Asia-Pacific. “It is more important than ever that countries work together to find solutions to restore international air travel as well. Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines are making a significant contribution to this development.”

Since the announcement by the Singaporean government, demand for flights between Germany and Singapore has tripled.

The following criteria qualify travelers for a VTL flight to Singapore:

a full vaccination carried out in Germany or Singapore with Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, or another WHO EUL vaccine.
stay in Germany and/or Singapore for at least 21 consecutive days prior to departure for Singapore. VTL travelers do not have to have German citizenship.
a Covid-19 PCR test with a negative result taken at most 48 hours before departure and a second PCR test upon arrival in Singapore. Until the negative result of this text is received, travelers must stay in their specified hotel or accommodation in Singapore. Depending on the duration of the trip, a maximum of two additional PCR tests may be required in Singapore.
flight booking on a designated VTL flight.

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Mauritius travel advice

Written by Traveltalksteam on September 1, 2021. Posted in Travel Advice.

Latest Travel advice Mauritius

Mauritius eases travel rules for vaccinated tourists from September 1

Travel protocols have been further relaxed in Mauritius. The Mauritius Government has now eased isolation protocols for fully vaccinated international visitors. As per the updated rules, they will now be required to spend only seven days in a special ‘resort bubble’ hotel instead of 14 days, as prescribed earlier. This updated travel rule will come into effect from September 1.

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Author: Traveltalksteam

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