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Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa to Debut in 2022

Written by Gill Dewar on October 26, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

October 26, 2021

The Emerald Collection, a luxury resort group behind Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, has announced its expansion with the acquisition of Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa. Set on a seven-hectare private island in the Raa Atoll, and framed by an extensive lagoon of 100 hectares, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will open on May 1, 2022 and is currently in the process of affiliating with The Leading Hotels of the World.

The resort will have five restaurants and two bars to choose from, as part of its signature “Deluxe All-Inclusive” packaging. The signature Italian restaurant, Mediterraneo, and Eclipse Bar are both located on the resort’s jetty, with the former serving Italian dishes, and the latter serving cocktails and aperitifs.

The resort also houses Emerald Spa, hidden amongst the vegetation. It comprises eight air-conditioned spa suites elevated among the palm trees, where the design and oval roofs resemble eco-friendly spaceships. There is a steam room, a manicure and pedicure corner, a yoga pavilion, plunge pools, a spa boutique, and an immersive relaxation area. The spa menu draws from Balinese tradition and includes a host of relaxing body massages and detoxifying facials. Designed with sports- and fitness-lovers in mind, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa has one large tennis court and one paddle court in the marina, along with an air conditioned Gym & Sports Centre with Technogym equipment.

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will offer extensive water sports facilities and diving at the five-star Diving Centre, where guests can achieve PADI licence. A dedicated Dolphin Kids’ Club is under construction and will comprise complimentary indoor and outdoor facilities for children aged three to 12.

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British Airways extends successful trial of digital health pass Verifly

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 26, 2021. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

October 26, 2021 – British Airways has announced that following the successful trial of mobile health pass, VeriFLY by Daon, and its subsequent rollout across its network, it has signed a long-term agreement with Daon.

British Airways and American Airlines were the first airlines to trial mobile digital health pass, VeriFLY by Daon
Over 500,000 customers have successfully used the pass to make sure they have the right documentation ahead of their flights
British Airways has extended its relationship with VeriFLY following the rollout of the technology across its network, with particular focus on the US ahead of its opening to UK and European citizens from November 8
The airline is on track to ensure that the whole of its route network is covered by a functionality that allows customers to have their documents checked before travel by the end of the year
British Airways is working with VeriFLY to ensure that customers connecting with other carriers, can use the platform to certify their documentation

The airline has worked closely with Daon to make travel as frictionless and smooth as possible for its customers. Travellers can upload any Covid-19 related documentation required for their destination, including vaccination records, negative Covid-19 results and government documents, straight into the VeriFLY mobile app so that they are verified before travel. This will let customers know if they have met the appropriate Covid-19 entry requirements for their destination before leaving for the airport, avoiding any uncertainty.

As well as ensuring a customer has the correct documentation for their journey, British Airways has further developed the technology to allow customers using VeriFLY to check in online on BA.com. Boarding passes can be downloaded ahead of arriving at the airport and customers travelling with hand luggage can head straight through security without the need to visit a desk once they arrive at the airport, further increasing the capability for contactless travel.

The airline initially started trialling VeriFLY in February 2021 on selected routes and has seen over 500,000 customers successfully verified before travel. VeriFLY is now available on all flights to North, South and Central America the Caribbean, Middle East, South Africa, Cayman Islands, Egypt and European destinations including Bulgaria, France, Croatia, Ireland and Switzerland, as well as on the majority of flights into the UK.

British Airways is working closely with Daon to make the customer experience even easier. Most recently it has extended the capability to read QR codes that appear on documentation such as a vaccination certificate or the UK passenger locator form, making document submission simple.

Anthony Allcock, British Airways’ Chief Information and Digital Officer, said: “We started working with Daon at the beginning of this year with one simple objective – to make it as simple as possible for our customers to understand and conform with different country entry requirements when they fly with us. Since then, we have worked with Daon to make it even easier, allowing customers to unlock online check in and automate approvals for digital documentation such as vaccination certificates or the Government’s passenger locator form, helping reduce complexity.

“We know our customers rely on us to help them through their journey and we will continue to ensure our travel verification processes are the most advanced, reliable and easy to use as we help get the world moving again, especially as we prepare for US borders to reopen on November 8.”

Tom Grissen, Daon CEO, said: “British Airways and American Airlines were the first global airlines to truly understand what their customers would need to successfully navigate the ever-changing government travel requirements related to COVID-19. By making VeriFLY available early on, British Airways travellers have had the advantage of a seamless and confident travel experience. We are delighted to see our partnership with British Airways grow stronger. Other organisations and airlines have followed their lead.”

For multiple customers travelling on one booking reference, they can use one smart phone to upload all documentation. The airline is also working closely with other airlines on the role that VeriFLY plays in multi sector journeys.

All data uploaded to VeriFLY or through www.ba.com is not retained by either organisation and is purged post travel, unless a government requires specific information to be temporary kept for attestation or contact tracing, in which case it will be safeguarded for a limited time strictly in line with GDPR laws.

For all other countries that British Airways flies to, customers can verify their COVID-19 documents through ‘Manage My Booking’ on ba.com and once verified they will be able to check-in online. Destinations include Hong Kong, Nigeria, Ghana, Singapore, India, Maldives and Pakistan, as well as a handful of European destinations

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Egypt prepares for huge celebration to promote Luxor as open museum city

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 26, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Featured events.

October 26, 2021 – Egypt has been preparing for a huge celebration to promote Luxor city as a major tourist destination.

Madbouly’s remarks came during his visit to Luxor to inspect a number of projects being implemented in the tourism, service, and development fields.

The prime minister said that the large projects that the state is currently implementing to revive a number of archaeological areas in Luxor will make this city an open museum that attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world.

The Prime Minister inspected the excavations under part of the building of the Church of the Virgin Mary, in which the Ministry of Antiquities found three distinct rams including one of the most magnificent statues of rams found in this site.

Madbouly and his accompanying delegation also inspected the Karnak Temple, where he listened to an explanation from Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khaled El-Anani, about the development work in the temple.

El-Anani explained that the Karnak Temples Visitors Center had been comprehensively developed, in terms of renewing paints and lighting, and floors.

The Prime Minister directed the completion of the works of renovating the tiles in the courtyards associated with the temple.

Madbouly also witnessed the restoration work of a ram’s head that was discovered as well as the restoration of a number of columns in the Karnak Temple.

El-Anani indicated that the restoration team also restored the largest known statue of King Tuthmosis II in front of the eighth edifice in the Karnak temple. The restoration work will be completed before the end of October.

El-Anani has also explained that the project to discover and prepare the Road of Rams in Luxor is one of the most important archaeological projects undertaken by the state in order to transform Luxor into the largest open museum in the world, by linking the temples of Karnak, Luxor, Mut and the ruins of ancient Thebes.

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Delta fast-tracks NYC growth with 8,000 more seats daily

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 26, 2021. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

October 26, 2021 –Delta fast-tracks NYC growth with 8,000 more seats daily

The airline’s capacity increase also restores nonstops to the top 40 U.S. markets from JFK and LGA. With domestic consumer travel back to 2019 levels, Delta is focused on restoring capacity safely and reliably as business travel picks up with volumes not seen since the pandemic began.

The airline’s capacity increase also restores nonstops to the top 40 U.S. markets from JFK and LGA.

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Abu Dhabi signs John Cena for new tourism campaign

Written by Gill Dewar on October 25, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

Monday 25 October 2021

Not to be outdone by rivals up the road in Dubai, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Tourism) has hired John Cena for a new tourism campaign.

The work encourages travellers to book a trip to the United Arab Emirates’ capital.

Following the teaser video launched last week, the full film sees Cena abandoning his travel plans after reading about Abu Dhabi on his flight – highlighting exactly why the ‘Time is Now’ to visit.

Literally diving into everything the destination has to offer, Cena parachutes out of a plane and lands on the roof of the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The video showcases the birds-eye view of Cena’s journey through Abu Dhabi’s beautiful landscapes, world class attractions and legendary entertainment scene.

A haven of year-round sunshine and a perfect place for winter sun, Abu Dhabi offers a world in one place – ideal for travellers looking to channel their wanderlust and create new memories.

From dune bashing in the desert to unwinding on its pristine beaches, taking in its vibrant and contemporary art and culture scene, or exploring an array of family fun attractions and theme parks – there is a world of possibility to discover during a trip to Abu Dhabi.

The film has been released following the announcement that Abu Dhabi is welcoming all international vaccinated travellers and those travelling from Green List countries back to the Emirate, without the need to quarantine.

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World Travel Awards reveals Europe winners

Written by Gill Dewar on October 25, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

Monday 25 October 2021

World Travel Awards – the leading authority that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has revealed its Europe 2021 winners.

Greece, with its resurgent travel and tourism economy, was voted ‘Europe’s Leading Destination’, Portugal’s Algarve was named ‘Europe’s Leading Beach Destination’, and the Azores took ‘Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination’.

The imperial splendour of Moscow was acknowledged with the award for ‘Europe’s Leading City Destination’.

The fascinating city of Batumi, Georgia was declared ‘Europe’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination’.

Saint Petersburg won ‘Europe’s Leading City Break Destination.’

In the hospitality sector, Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul was voted ‘Europe’s Leading Hotel’, Sardinia’s Forte Village Resort lifted ‘Europe’s Leading Resort’.

Italy also featured in the newcomer section, with the cutting-edge medical retreat Palazzo Fiuggi named ‘Europe’s Leading New Hotel’.

One&Only Portonovi, nestling on the shores of Montenegro’s sparkling Adriatic coast, was recognised as ‘Europe’s Leading New Resort’.

Sani Resort, Greece claimed ‘Europe’s Leading Family Resort’.

The results follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands.

Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.

Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said: “Our winners represent the very best of the Europe’s travel and tourism sector and my congratulations to each of them.

“They are all playing starring roles in leading the travel and tourism recovery.”

In the aviation sector, British Airways picked up ‘Europe’s Leading Airline’ as well as ‘Europe’s Leading Airline – First Class’, Air France was voted ‘Europe’s Leading Airline – Business Class’, with Lufthansa named ‘Europe’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’.

Zurich Airport scooped ‘Europe’s Leading Airport’.

Other winners include Europcar (‘Europe’s Leading Car Rental Company’); InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (‘Europe’s Leading Hotel Brand’); Turismo de Portugal (‘Europe’s Leading Tourist Board’); Madrid (‘Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination’); the Convention Centre, Ireland (‘Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’); Cannes (‘Europe’s Leading Festival & Event Destination’); and Dark Sky Alqueva, Portugal & Spain (‘Europe’s Responsible Tourism Award).

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World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognize and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

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This Business Class-only Airline Just Launched Luxe New Routes From NYC to Europe

Written by Gill Dewar on October 25, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

October 25, 2021

Fancy a business-class flight for your next vacation? La Compagnie has you covered. The airline, a World’s Best Awards winner since 2019, flies business class-only aircraft — and while they returned to the friendly skies in June, La Compagnie has just ramped up its fall schedule.

First, the airline is upgrading its route between Newark International Airport (which services the New York City metro area) and Paris Orly Airport to daily service beginning next month, just as the United States re-opens its borders to international travelers on November 8.

Next, on December 4, La Compagnie will debut its newest route — a twice-weekly flight between Newark and Tel Aviv, which stops briefly in Paris. Though that route was announced this summer, pandemic-related delays have pushed back its launch. But since international travel is resuming in both the United States and Israel in the upcoming months, it’s finally time for the new route to take off.

“The recent announcement from the U.S. government gives us better visibility on the resumption of activity,” La Compagnie president Christian Vernet said in a statement released to Travel + Leisure. “The entire team at La Compagnie is prepared and ready to fully tackle this rich program that we have been keen to put in place for the past few months.” Come spring 2022, the airline will add two additional routes. It will fly direct from Newark to Milan four times a week starting April 13, 2022, and add a seasonal route from Newark to Nice three times a week from May 7, 2022, and September 27, 2022.

La Compagnie flies Airbus A321neo planes configured to include just 76 lie-flat seats in a two-two configuration. Passengers are treated to a seasonal French menu by chef Christophe Langrée. On red-eyes from New York to Europe, travelers are served a light snack and a full breakfast, including a croissant by Maison Kayser made specifically for the airline, while on the Europe to New York routes, guests enjoy a four-course lunch. The flights from Tel Aviv to Paris include a full breakfast. There’s a house Champagne, of course, as well as a selection of wines — and free Wi-Fi (and two checked bags) for all.

Promotional prices for both the Paris and Tel Aviv fall routes will start at $2,000 round-trip, and you can book your tickets here.

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These Are the 10 Happiest Countries in the World

Written by Gill Dewar on October 25, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

What makes a country happy? Is it access to quality health care, a high life expectancy, financial stability, freedom, social connection, or a combination of everything? And how do you go about ranking a quality that’s almost impossible to quantify? This is a challenge that the World Happiness Report has taken on over the past nine years, relying on a wide variety of data — most notably the Gallup World Poll — to determine how every country around the world ranks when it comes to happiness, or what the report calls “average national life evaluations.”

In addition to taking into account the usual data, the team this year reviewed the effects of COVID-19 on the quality of people’s lives, considering everything from mental health and social interaction to job security and the government’s response to the pandemic. Their findings spotlight the countries that not only offer their inhabitants a happy, high quality of life, but have also provided well-being to their citizens throughout the tumultuous COVID-19 era.

Finland

Finland may have cold, dark winters, but the northern lifestyle clearly suits its citizens who have helped put the country at the top of the World Happiness Report for the third consecutive year (they were at number five in 2017). With a score of 7.889, Finland has once again set the tone for other nations when it comes to factors like social support, a healthy life expectancy, freedom, perceptions of corruption, and dystopia.

As a country, Finland offers its inhabitants and visitors access to the water, vast wilderness with national parks and ski resorts, and the country’s iconic Lapland region — home to the Sami people, reindeer, and the northern lights.

This Nordic island nation is loved by travelers for its dramatic landscape filled with hot springs, volcanoes, geysers, and stunning coastal waterfalls. But while Iceland has been a popular destination among tourists in recent years, those who live here year-round enjoy a quality of life that puts them at number two in the World Happiness Report (moving up from number four in 2020).

Denmark

Bridging the gap between the Scandinavian countries of Norway and Sweden and mainland Europe is this water-rich nation with numerous islands, the iconic Nyhavn harbor, and the beautiful capital city of Copenhagen.

The country dropped from number two in 2020 to three in 2021, but it remains consistent in its place within the top five happiest countries in the world for many years running.

Switzerland

Breaking the stream of Nordic and Scandinavian countries is Switzerland, a small nation that’s tucked between France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. With a setting that’s smack dab in the middle of some of the world’s most beautiful mountains, Switzerland is home to quaint alpine villages, beautiful lakes, ski resorts, hiking trails, and a world-renowned watch and chocolate industry.

Among other factors, the country boasts a steady, high GDP, which offers its inhabitants financial security.

Netherlands

This European nation is found along the continent’s northwestern coast. A favorite with tourists, the country’s capital city of Amsterdam is known for its canals, bike-friendly streets, museums, and the house where Anne Frank hid during World War II. In addition to attracting an impressive number of visitors year after year, the country is home to some very happy locals, giving it a spot at number five on the 2021 World Happiness Report.

Sweden

Joining its fellow Scandinavian nations with a high happiness ranking is Sweden, a country that’s rich in coastal islands, glaciated mountains, and vast forests and lakes. While Sweden’s population is most dense in the capital of Stockholm and major cities of Gothenburg and Malmö, the country provides its citizens with access to nature, a high life expectancy, strong social support, and life freedom, among other qualities.

Germany

Germany climbed from number 17 in 2020 to seven in 2021, getting the country into the report’s coveted top 10 ranking. The relatively large European country shares borders with a handful of World Happiness Report notables, including Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

In addition to providing its people with a happy life, Germany is renowned for many things — most notably its art and nightlife-rich capital of Berlin, as well as the annual Oktoberfest in Munich.

Norway

Not to be left off this Scandinavian-dominated ranking, Norway comes in at number eight in 2021. The ranking marks a slight slip from its number five placement in 2020 and number three ranking in 2019, but it confirms the country’s stellar overall showing on the World Happiness Report. The coastal nation, which borders Sweden, is known as the land of the Vikings, with a landscape that includes fjords, mountains, and giant glaciers.

New Zealand

New Zealand’s number nine ranking is only more impressive when you consider that it’s the only non-European nation to make it onto the 2021 World Happiness Report’s top 10 list. The island country in Oceania (right off the coast of Australia) is made up of two main swaths of land: the North Island and the South Island, and more than 700 smaller islands. The country slid slightly from number eight in 2020 to its current place at number nine, but it remains a strong contender in the field of happiness year after year, thanks to its strong social support system and low feelings of dystopia (among other factors).

Austria

Just making it onto the 2021 World Happiness Report’s top 10 ranking is Austria, a landlocked European nation known for its beautiful mountains, great skiing, and the artistic, musical city of Vienna (also the nation’s capital). In addition to a beautiful landscape, sports, and art, Austria continues to rank well when it comes to factors that make a country happy, including generosity, GDP, and life expectancy.

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Europe’s Christmas Markets Are Coming Back

Written by Gill Dewar on October 25, 2021. Posted in Activity, Destination news.

October 25, 2021

We’re inching closer and closer to the holiday season, which means it’s time to start shopping for presents for the ones you love most. And there’s no better place to do just that than at Europe’s famed Christmas markets.

All across Europe, the start of the holiday season is signaled by the arrival of Christmas markets. Cities transform into winter wonderlands with string lights illuminating every cobblestone street and finely decorated trees standing on every corner. Spiced, savory notes waft through the air, while cozy wooden chalets filled to the brims with festive finds and mouthwatering delights populate snow-dusted town squares. It’s a sight straight from the pages of a storybook, and a tradition that dates back as far as the late Middle Ages.

While many beloved markets chose not to open in 2020, numerous historic European markets are back this holiday season with safety measures in place to ensure guests can enjoy them while practicing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Be sure to check out each markets’ website to learn about its safety protocols before attending. Some festivals even have online marketplaces which allow you to support the local artisans and craftsmen without having to be at the festival in person.

Whether it’s the zesty mulled wine in Prague, the hand-carved musical instruments in Madrid, or a visit from Santa in Tallinn, Estonia, these markets offer one-of-a-kind experiences that are sure to put you in a festive spirit. Read on to discover more magic from the 24 most charming Christmas markets in Europe.

Helsinki Christmas Market, Finland

The Helsinki Christmas Market welcomes over 300,000 people each year to discover the over 120 chalets and attractions decorating the city’s Senate Square. You’ll, of course, find the traditional market stalls and hot mulled wine at every corner, but the market also appeals to a more modern crowd with countless vegan options and even a wood-heated sauna. After picking up a few handmade wooden lanterns, take a twirl on the old-time carousel near the towering Christmas tree.

Poznan Christmas Market, Poland

One of the oldest cities in Poland, Poznan has been dazzling guests every holiday season for centuries. The town’s renaissance Old Market Square transforms into a wintry escape with snowflakes, winter delicacies, and handmade trinkets. Merchants sell a variety of carefully crafted toys and decorations, but it’s the vendors selling delectable pierogies, smoked cheeses, and warm goulash that really stand out. The International Ice Sculpture Festival happens each year around the same time as the market making the heart of Poznan truly a Christmas wonderland.

Bath Christmas Market, United Kingdom

Darling wooden chalets with golden lights overhead line the cobblestone streets of Bath each winter as a part of the city’s renowned market. Known for its wide range of handcrafted housewares and personalized presents, the market also makes it easy for people to learn about and support local charities by allowing organizations to take chalets for free. Be sure to stop at The Lodge on Stall Street for a piping-hot cup of mulled cider.

Vilnius Christmas Market, Lithuania

Design aficionados, the Vilnius Christmas Market is the one for you. Year after year, the Lithuanian city is regarded as having one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in all of Europe. Not only that, the dazzling fairy light displays seen throughout the Christmas market almost always coincide with the breathtaking tree display at the center of the Old Town. Stop into the chalets and igloos for delightful honey cakes, gingerbread, and teas.

Funchal Christmas Market, Madeira

One may not expect a subtropical island to be a Christmas haven, but Madeira proves to be the exception. Its main capital, Funchal, hosts a market filled with rare flowers, delicious Portuguese entrees, and plenty of Christmas spirit. You won’t get enough of the wine-marinated grilled meats and local Madeira punch while there. There are also performances every night from traditional Christmas carolers to folklore groups.

The Christmas Markets of Budapest, Hungary

Budapest hosts not one but two magical Christmas markets within walking distance of each other. At Vorosmarty Square, you’ll find the oldest Christmas market at the center of the capital with countless food vendors and craftspeople offering traditional Hungarian goods. While a bit smaller, the market outside of the St. Stephen’s Basilica also has hundreds of stalls lining the square, as well as a skating rink and weekend folk dance shows.

Sibiu Christmas Market, Romania

You may never find a town with as much joyous Christmas spirit as the ancient Transylvanian city of Sibiu. The colorful market takes place in the heart of the city at Piata Mare, which just so happens to be surrounded by jaw-dropping displays of Baroque architecture. The merchants sell a wonderful range of jewelry, handcrafted ornaments, and delectable treats, but keep your eyes out for the stalls with one-of-a-kind leather goods. Oh, did we mention there’s also an ice rink?

Tivoli Gardens; Copenhagen, Denmark

A year-round favorite of locals and tourists, the whimsical park in Copenhagen turns into a winter wonderland with extravagant light displays and countless stalls selling sweet items like honey cake. As you walk through exploring the market, you’re sure to be greeted by traditional bands playing festive songs at various points.

Cologne Christmas Market, Germany

Wooden stalls begin popping up all throughout Cologne at the end of November, marking the official start of the Christmas season for the residents of the classic German city. The most impressive of these markets happens beneath the city’s iconic Gothic-style cathedral with hundreds of sparkling fairy lights decorating red-topped gables. Each year, the market grows to include more and more attractions like the “Christmas Avenue,” an LGBTQ+ market featuring live performances.

Basel Weihnachtsmarkt, Switzerland

The quaint town of Basel glows each holiday season from thousands of twinkling lights lining two squares—Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz—and spotlighting rustic wooden chalets. The market officially starts each year with the lighting of a towering Christmas tree filled with Johann Wanner ornaments at the center of Münsterplatz. Kids will also love exploring the fairytale forest and decorating their own gingerbread houses.

Weihnachtsmarkt Santa Croce; Florence, Italy

At the beginning of December, the piazza outside the Basilica di Santa Croce transforms into a festive German-style market filled with tasty treats and gifts from around the world. For nearly 500 years, the market at Piazza Santa Croce has served as one of Florence’s most treasured traditions with its 50 stalls of artisanal treasures. Be on the lookout for stalls selling the market’s must-try item: chimney cake covered in cinnamon and chocolate.

Strasbourg Christmas Market, France

Twinkling fairy lights illuminating narrow alleyways, a magnificently dressed tree at the city’s center, and nearly 300 wooden chalets lining every square make Strasbourg the Christmas capital of France. One of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, the end-of-year festivities have embraced the traditions and flavors of an Alsatian Christmas since 1570.

Guests can explore stalls for hand-blown glass ornaments and carved wooden toys and enjoy spicy gingerbread cookies and crisp Alsatian wine. The market also hosts a Sharing Village that allows people to donate to local nonprofits and charities.

Old Town and Wenceslas Square; Prague, Czech Republic

With stalls nestled between soaring examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, the markets at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square feel as though you are exploring a bit Prague’s history while celebrating the holidays with themed performances and handmade trinkets. A mere walk away from each other, visitors can stay warm while exploring both of the festive venues with delectable Czech treats such as trdelník, a spit cake rolled in cinnamon sugar, and citrusy mulled wine.

Bratislava Christmas Market, Slovakia

Draped in thousands of fairy lights with hundreds of chalets selling wooden toys and a gleaming ice rink in the center of town, the Slovakian capital is the ideal wonderland to take your children during Christmas time. The ceremonial lighting of the magnificent tree at Main Squares kicks off the season and the opening of the markets. An added bonus: Bratislava also has an official Christmas tram that makes it easy to travel between the different squares.

Frankfurt Christmas Market; Birmingham, United Kingdom

An ode to the traditional German Christmas market, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market boasts over 120 stalls selling unique presents such as delicate crystal lamps, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and, of course, winter wines and beers. Holiday-lovers can enjoy buttery pretzels and mouth-watering schnitzels as they listen to the festival’s singing moose, Chris, serenade the masses on the corner of Waterloo Street.

Tallinn Christmas Market, Estonia

With blankets of snow covering the cobble streets, a clear starry sky, and a heavenly aroma of gingerbread permeating throughout Town Hall Square, the Advent market in Tallinn looks and feels as though you just walked onto the set of a Christmas movie. It was at this market in 1441 that the first-ever Christmas tree was displayed in Europe. While the towering masterpiece remains one of the market’s highlights, families can also look forward to meeting Santa, who often pays a visit in his reindeer-pulled sleigh.

Vienna Christmas Dream Market, Austria

The first recorded winter market in Vienna dates back to the Middle Ages, when Albrecht I of Habsburg allowed citizens of Austria’s capital to hold a December event in 1298. Centuries later, Vienna hosts an impressive 20 official Advent Markets, but none are quite as charming as the Vienna Christmas Dream. The market, which takes place in front of City Hall, has over 150 stalls selling roasted chestnuts and all the Christmas decorations imaginable. Children can even learn how to make Christmas cookies and candles on the ground level of City Hall and take a ride on an actual reindeer.

Kraków Christmas Market, Poland

The iconic Cloth Hall, magnificent St. Mary’s Basilica, and storied medieval streets prove to be the perfect backdrop for a bustling Christmas market in Kraków’s Old Town. Local vendors offer a fun array of goods and gifts from hand-crafted Bolesławiec pottery and sweet boiled candies to fresh pine wreathes. But one of the main attractions of the market is the honored Kraków Christmas Crib Contest, where decorated re-creations of nativity cribs and Baroque churches are paraded around the square for judging. The winners are shown in the Historical Museum of Kraków.

Salzburg Christmas Market, Austria

The origins of the Salzburg Christmas Market date back to the late 15th century, when locals would gather at Cathedral Square to buy simple goods for their holiday celebrations. Today, the famous Advent market has over 95 stalls with the sweet smell of flaky apple strudels flooding the square, traditional wind music ringing from high above, and sparkling lights highlighting the entire city. Singers and Christmas-music-lovers alike can even partake in a daily sing-along.

Plaza Mayor Christmas Market; Madrid, Spain

At the heart of Madrid, the Plaza Mayor stands as a reminder of Spain’s royal past and is the site of one of the country’s most celebrated traditions: its acclaimed Christmas market. Unique collections of hand-painted and decorated nativity figurines and musical instruments flood the nearly 100 stalls across the square.

Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt earned the nickname “The Little Town of Wood and Cloth” from its 180 wooden booths with red-and-white-striped cloth roofs that flood Hauptmarkt Square during the holidays. While the market offers a large selection of gingerbread, mulled wine, and traditional decorations, the true stars of the show are the “prune people.” Made from dried prunes, the well-loved figurines have been staples of the market for decades and are viewed as good-luck charms during the holidays.

Winter Wonders; Brussels, Belgium

Much more than just a market, Winter Wonders puts the shine on Brussels as one of the premier destinations to celebrate Christmas. From ice skating and a ride on a Ferris wheel to a marvelous light-and-sound show, guest can get lost in holiday fun at the festival that stretches across Grand-Place. The heart of the wonderland is the 240 chalets at the center that serve classic Belgian beers and waffles, handmade trinkets, and decadent chocolates.

Trento Christmas Market, Italy

Set at the foot of the snow-dusted Brenta Dolomites, the quaint Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti of Trento become a picturesque “Città del Natale,” or Christmas Town, with sparkling trees, thousands of golden lights, and 90 wooden huts. Vendors sell sheep’s cheese, sweet panettone, wood-carved nativity scenes, and glass ornaments across the two squares. With its commitment to environmental sustainability, the Trento Christmas market only utilizes clean energy and uses local products and eco-certified paper bags.

Advent in Zagreb, Croatia

Regarded as one of the best Christmas market destinations, the Advent in Zagreb puts the global spotlight on the Croatian capital. The fountain that doubles as a light display and towering Christmas tree at Jelacic Square acts as the festival’s centerpiece and a cozy meeting place for guests.

Candles and lanterns cast a glow onto neighboring streets lined with well-dressed trees and lead to an ice rink, ice sculptures, pop-up bars, street-food stands, and music stages. The Advent even holds a gastronomic event devoted to “fooling around,” where people can enjoy various mulled wines and gooey štrukle all while dancing in the street.

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Venice goes high tech to control visitors

Written by Gill Dewar on October 25, 2021. Posted in Destination news.

October 25, 2021

In August, Venice announced upcoming entry fees for most visitors and the immediate banning of cruise ships. Now, the City of Canals has confirmed that around 2022-2023, a pre-booking reservation system will be enforced and CCTV cameras will be installed throughout the city.

Using 468 CCTV cameras, optical sensors, and a mobile phone-tracing system, city officials will start tracking all tourists who enter the city. They can tell residents from visitors, where people are coming from, where they are heading, and how fast they are moving, Reuters confirms.

Every 15 minutes, authorities will get a snapshot of how crowded the city is, along with information about how many gondolas are on the Canal Grande, whether boats are speeding, and if the waters are rising to dangerous levels.

In addition, airport-like turnstiles are currently being tested to control the flow of people. If the numbers become overwhelming, these will stop new visitors from getting in.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro told Sky News: “I expect protests, lawsuits, everything… but I have a duty to make this city liveable for those who inhabit it and also these who want to visit.”

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new hotel will open in Iceland in November – The Reykjavik EDITION Hotel

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 22, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Hotel.

October 22, 2021 – Opening in preview on November 9, 2021.

The first true global luxury lifestyle hotel brand, EDITION is an unexpected and refreshing collection of individualized, customized, one-of-a-kind hotels. Showcasing the best of dining and entertainment, services and amenities, each EDITION property is completely unique, designed to give guests a curated taste of the locale. Conceived by Ian Schrager in a partnership with Marriott International, EDITION combines the personal, intimate, individualized experience that Ian Schrager is known for with the global reach, operational expertise and scale of Marriott.

The Reykjavik EDITION brings the first 5-star modern luxury experience to one of the world’s most sustainable capitals. Located in the historical, scenic heart of downtown Reykjavik by Old Harbor port, the hotel is a 45-minute car ride from the airport and just steps away from the Laugavegur Street, the city’s vibrant shopping district, and the Harpa Concert and Conference Center. The hotel is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the wonders of the region, with the renowned Blue Lagoon within driving distance and the Northern Lights visible in the city during the winter solstice.

The hotel boasts a variety of distinctive food, beverage and entertainment outlets including alfresco dining to enjoy the panoramic views of the waterfront and the city. The Reykjavik EDITION’s sophisticated bedrooms and suites offer spectacular views of the harbor, Mt. Esja and the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier.

A destination within a destination, the hotel will match the city’s fun-loving reputation with lively spaces to socialize, work and relax, all under one roof.

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SAS presents winter traffic program

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 22, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Airline.

October 22, 2021 – As demand for travel increases, SAS continues to open up new destinations and more frequent flights. SAS will fly more than 150 routes to 90 destinations during winter 2021-2022.

SAS is also increasing the number of flights between the Scandinavian capitals and to other important destinations in its network to further improve connectivity as travel increases. This includes more flights to the UK from the three Scandinavian capitals – to London, where SAS flies three daily round trips from each capital, and to Manchester.

To meet the growing demand for business and leisure trips, SAS is also increasing the number of flights to other major European cities such as Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Helsinki, Munich and Paris.

The SAS winter program offers skiers attractive timetables to a total of nine winter destinations – Sälen/Trysil and Östersund in Sweden, Salzburg and Innsbruck in Austria, Milan and Venice in Italy, Munich in Germany and Geneva and Zurich in Switzerland.

This winter, SAS will resume several routes from Denmark and Copenhagen to eastern and central Europe to cities such as Stuttgart, Tallinn, Poznan, and Wroclaw.

In Norway, the demand for domestic travel is rising and SAS is therefore increasing the number of flights to Bergen, Stavanger, Bardufoss and Haugesund, as well in Western Norway. SAS is also resuming direct flights between Trondheim and Tromsø and between Oslo and Manchester.

SAS is introducing new routes from Sweden for its winter program. The new routes that are now opening are Stockholm-Kyiv, Stockholm-Tenerife, and Gothenburg-Gran Canaria. The route from Stockholm to Madeira is also resuming.

Full list of SAS destinations for winter 2021-2022:

Copenhagen	Oslo	Stockholm	Bergen
Aalborg	Aalborg	Aarhus	Ålesund
Aarhus	Ålesund	Alicante	Alicante
Aberdeen	Aarhus	Amsterdam	Copenhagen
Alicante	Aberdeen	Antalya	Oslo
Amsterdam	Alicante	Athens	Stavanger
Antalya	Alta	Barcelona	Stockholm
Athens	Amsterdam	Beirut	Trondheim
Barcelona	Antalya	Bergen
Beirut	Barcelona	Berlin	Stavanger
Bergen	Bardufoss	Billund	Aberdeen
Berlin	Bergen	Brussels	Alicante
Billund	Berlin	Chicago	Bergen
Birmingham	Billund	Copenhagen	Copenhagen
Bologna	Bodø	Dublin	London
Boston	Brussels	Dusseldorf	Oslo
Brussels	Copenhagen	Edinburgh	Trondheim
Chania	Dublin	Faro
Chicago	Dusseldorf	Frankfurt	Trondheim
Dublin	Evenes	Funchal	Ålesund
Dusseldorf	Faro	Geneva	Bergen
Faro	Frankfurt	Gothenburg	Bodø
Faroe Islands	Gdansk	Gran Canaria	Copenhagen
Frankfurt	Geneva	Hamburg	Oslo
Gdansk	Gran Canaria	Helsingborg	Stavanger
Geneva	Hamburg	Helsinki	Stockholm
Gothenburg	Haugesund	Innsbruck	Tromsø
Gran Canaria	Helsinki	Kalmar
Hamburg	Kyiv	Kyiv	Gothenburg
Hanover	Kirkenes	Kiruna	Alicante
Helsinki	Kristiansand	Krakow	Copenhagen
Krakow	Kristiansund	Larnaca	Faro
Larnaca	Lakselv	London	Gran Canaria
London	London	Luleå	Malaga
Los Angeles	Longyearbyen	Malaga	Palma de Mallorca
Malaga	Malaga	Malmö	Stockholm
Manchester	Manchester	Malta
Miami	Miami	Manchester
Milan	Milan	Miami
Munich	Molde	Milan
New York	Munich	Munich
Nice	New York	New York
Oslo	Nice	Nice
Palanga	Palanga	Oslo
Palma de Mallorca	Paris	Östersund
Paris	Reykjavik	Palma de Mallorca
Poznan	Stavanger	Paris
Reykjavik	Stockholm	Prague
Rome	Tromsø	Rome
Sälen/Trysil	Trondheim	Ronneby
Salzburg	Zurich	Seville
San Francisco		Skellefteå
Shanghai		St. Petersburg
Stavanger		Stavanger
Stockholm		Sundsvall
Stuttgart		Tallinn
Tallinn		Tampere
Tenerife		Tenerife
Tokyo		Thessaloniki
Tromsø		Tromsø
Trondheim		Trondheim
Turin		Turku
Warsaw		Umeå
Washington D.C.		Vaasa
Venice		Vilnius
Vilnius		Visby
Wroclaw		Zurich
Zurich

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British Airways offers access to more destinations across Africa

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 22, 2021. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

October 22, 2021 – British Airways’ customers will be able to fly to more destinations across Africa, thanks to a new codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways.

Customers flying to Nairobi with British Airways will be able to seamlessly connect onto 20 destinations across East and Central Africa, including Douala, Zanzibar, Lusaka, Mombasa, Addis Ababa and Entebbe, as well as offering customers more options to get to popular holiday hotspot, Mauritius and Seychelles.

In the reciprocal agreement, customers flying with Kenya Airways to London, will now be able to connect onto 26 destinations across the UK and Europe that British Airways operates to, including Glasgow, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

British Airways currently offers four flights a week from London Heathrow to Nairobi, operated by a four class Boeing 777 aircraft, which offers cabins from World Traveller (economy) right up to First (First class)

Christopher Fordyce, British Airways’ Head of Alliances, said: “After a difficult 20 months with global travel restrictions, it’s fantastic to see travel between the UK and Africa resuming. We are really pleased to be able to offer our customers access to even more destinations across the region thanks to our new codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways, making that bucket list trip even easier to plan.”

Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways said: “We are delighted to secure this strategic codeshare agreement with British Airways to provide our travellers with a seamless journey to and from Europe and Africa. The agreement will increase choices for thousands of passengers and will allow for smooth connectivity to a significant number of new destinations – particularly throughout Africa and Europe. By harnessing our complementary strengths, this agreement will also provide benefits to aid the recovery of international travel and meet the increasing demand.”

British Airways’ Executive Club members will be able to earn Avios and tier points when flying on eligible codeshare routes operated by Kenya Airways.

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WIZZ air announces new route from Wroclaw to Canary Islands

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 22, 2021. Posted in Airline, Destination news.

October 22, 2021 – Wizz Air, the fastest growing airline in Europe, announces today that it will offer a new exciting route from Poland to the Canary Islands. Starting 22nd December, WIZZ will offer weekly flights from Wroclaw to Lanzarote. Seats for the new route are already available on wizzair.com or on the airline’s app for fares as low as PLN 159/34.99 EUR *

Lanzarote is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean. The island offers amazingly diverse sceneries. The heritage of the volcanic eruptions is a spectacular scene of form and beauty. Next to unexpected landscapes made of volcanic caves, lakes of lava and crates, you can find beaches of golden sand and clear water. In 2015 Lanzarote become the first destination in the world to receive Biosphere Responsible Tourism certificate. The mild climate makes Lanzarote perfect destination for all year round holidays.

Wizz Air has introduced a new era of sanitized travel across its network, with enhanced hygiene measures to ensure the health and safety of passengers and crew. Click here to view Wizz Air’s new health and safety video.

To help passengers and crew travel safely and worry-free, Wizz Air has implemented additional hygiene measures to support physical distancing during boarding and enhanced cleanliness on board. As part of the measures to protect the health of customers and crew, customers should check-in and make any purchases online, such as paying for additional bags, to reduce non-essential interaction at the airport. In an attempt to contain the spread of possible infection, passengers are kindly asked to adhere to the new physical distancing rules both during boarding and disembarkation.

By adding WIZZ Flex to a booking, passengers can rest assured that if circumstances change, or they simply wish to travel on a different date, or to a different destination, they can rebook on any WIZZ flight of their choice. Providing that extra layer of protection for passenger bookings, is a peace of mind during these uncertain times.

Wizz Air is continuously recruiting Polish speaker crew members to its bases where the airline is offering growing number of jobs. Those interested can apply on Wizz Air’s career site.

DESTINATION	DAYS	LOWEST FARE*	STARTS
WROCLAW – LANZAROTE	Wednsday	159 PLN / 34.99 EUR		22 December 2021

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Royal Caribbean introduces ultimate world tour to all seven continents

Written by Traveltalksteam on October 22, 2021. Posted in Cruise, Destination news.

October 22, 2021 – Adventurers seeking to travel far and wide can now set off on a world tour of their own. Royal Caribbean International is raising the bar for world cruises with the debut of the inaugural Ultimate World Cruise, an epic 274-night adventure that visits all seven continents, more than 150 destinations in 65 countries and 11 great wonders of the world. This rich, immersive experience on Serenade of the Seas is the longest and most comprehensive world cruise out there, sailing roundtrip from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023 and through Sept. 10, 2024. Bookings for the full Ultimate World Cruise can be made by phone starting today, with an exclusive one-week window through Oct. 26 for Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society Diamond status members and above.

Travelers will sail to 57 destinations new to the cruise line and exclusive to the cruise itself. Highlights include Casablanca, Morocco; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and Shimizu, Japan – the gateway to Mount Fuji. Guests can delve deep into many of the world’s breathtaking wonders, from Peru’s Machu Picchu to the Taj Mahal in India, and experience distinct cultures and picturesque shores at every corner of the world all in one spectacular adventure – only on Royal Caribbean.

“This is the world cruise of world cruises,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International “Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travelers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.”

Guests ready to traverse the world can book the full Ultimate World Cruise today or choose from any of the four expeditions that will offer a wide range of destinations as soon as December 2021 – the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe:

Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition
Dec. 10, 2023 – Feb. 11, 2024 – Three continents, 36 destinations, four wonders
The once-in-a-lifetime journey begins in Miami, the cruise capital of the world, and sets course for postcard-perfect Caribbean destinations – like the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) – before heading to glacier-studded Antarctica and around Cape Horn. Travelers can take in four of the world’s stunning wonders along the way in Central and South America, including Chichen Itza in Cozumel, Mexico; the largest art deco sculpture in the world, Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro – where they’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve – and the largest waterfall system on the planet, Iguazu Falls near Buenos Aires, Argentina. One of the most iconic symbols of ancient Inca civilization and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu, awaits in Peru, while sunshine and glamour will welcome guests in Los Angeles.

Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition
Feb. 11 – May 9, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations, three wonders
Guests will venture miles from the ordinary in Oceania, Asia and beyond on the cruise’s next showstopping leg. They can discover the beauty and adventure throughout the Hawaiian Islands’ world-renowned mountainous landscapes and black sand beaches before sailing south to Moorea and Tahiti, French Polynesia, for sapphire blue skies and crystal-clear waters. The thrills continue with an exploration of New Zealand, before a deep-dive into Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the only living thing on the planet that’s visible from space. Pristine natural beauty in Bali, Indonesia, is soon followed by two of the most iconic manmade world wonders, the Great Wall of China and India’s Taj Mahal, and gems of the South Pacific – from Vietnam to Malaysia. Rounding out the expedition are endless possibilities in Japan, with unparalleled culture in Tokyo, street food in Osaka and the tropical beaches of Okinawa.

Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition
May 9 – July 10, 2024 – Three continents, 44 destinations, four wonders
This expedition begins in glamorous Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and brings many of history’s greatest mysteries, myths and legends to life. Adventurers can uncover ancient sites and more world wonders from the times of emperors and pharaohs, like Jordan’s lost city of Petra, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, Turkey, and the Colosseum in Rome. There are also less-traveled places to explore, such as Greece’s Olympia, once a sanctuary site to honor Zeus and the location of the first Olympic games. The journey only continues to even more destinations known for their storied history — like Split, Croatia, and Cannes and Provence in France.

Capitals of Culture
July 10 – Sept. 10, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations
The final leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an immersive, cultural experience that begins in the Mediterranean and heads north. At travelers’ fingertips is the opportunity to discover Barcelona’s brilliant architecture, including Antoni Gaudi’s famed Sagrada Familia and whimsical Park Guell, and savor new flavors across continents — such as an indulgent lunch in a Parisian bistro and a dinner of tagine and mint tea in Morocco. Museums, theaters and galleries line the streets of St. Petersburg, Russia, while larger-than-life fjords await in Norway. Guests can reflect on their epic voyage in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland before visiting New York on their way back to Miami.

Globetrotters will explore the world in style on board Serenade, thanks to Royal Caribbean’s award-winning experiences and amenities. And adventurers can stay close to the action with the ship’s acres of glass, which offer panoramic views, as they cruise from one destination, continent and world wonder to the next. From start to finish, guests who book the full Ultimate World Cruise can expect a seamless, world-class travel experience that includes business class airfare, premium transportation as well as an evening of festivities and accommodations at a five-star hotel before setting sail. Plus, Crown & Anchor Society Platinum status members and above will receive a bonus Seven New World Wonders shore excursion package in addition to other perks, including a Deluxe Beverage package, VOOM Wi-Fi, laundry service and more.

Bookings for the entire Ultimate World Cruise open today for Diamond and above Crown & Anchor Society members. Guests interested in booking can call Royal Caribbean’s dedicated line for the Ultimate World Cruise at 800-423-2100 (US toll free) or their travel advisor.

About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveller. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

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Houseboat set to launch in Okavango Delta

Written by Gill Dewar on October 22, 2021. Posted in Cruise, Activity, Destination news.

October 22, 2021

The Okavango Spirit, a houseboat that will give visitors a new way to view the abundant game and wildlife of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, is due to be launched in April 2022 by Natural Selection.

The houseboat will spend its nights moored along the banks of the Okavango River in an area that is recognised as being among the quietest and most peaceful in the Delta, home to numerous hippos and crocodiles.

Okavango Spirit will offer seven en-suite cabins (four doubles and three twins), each with a private viewing deck. The houseboat can accommodate 14 guests and is ideal for families with children aged six and older. The upper deck has a dining area, small lounge, bar, and sundeck.

The houseboat operates year-round and offers two- and three-night stays. Guests will be met by their guide at Shakawe airstrip in northern Botswana, a one-hour charter flight from Maun International Airport, and are then taken on the 20-minute drive to the houseboat.

Each day, guests will have the opportunity to board smaller game-viewing boats to enjoy activities in the area, including bird watching, boat safaris, and a visit to Tsodilo Hills.

Tsodilo Hills is a World Heritage Site 50km southwest of Shakawe, home to more than 4 000 San Bushman paintings. Several walking trails provide routes around the painting sites.

Guests can also cross the border into Namibia for a morning game drive in Bwabwata National Park on day three of the three-night itinerary.

It is recommended that guests pair their Okavango Spirit booking, which starts at US$7 700 for exclusive use of the boat for the first seven guests, with a stay at one of the other Okavango Delta camps nearby, also owned by Natural Selection. These include Hyena Pan Camp, Sable Alley, Skybeds (only open April-October), The Jackal & Hide, and Tuludi Camp – all located in Khwai Private Reserve – and Mapula Lodge.

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S.S. Sphinx now sailing on the Nile

Written by Gill Dewar on October 22, 2021. Posted in Cruise, Destination news.

October 22, 2021

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has released images newest ship, the S.S. Sphinx, as it begins sailing on the Nile in Egypt.

Gourmet venues onboard include a private dining room and an al fresco experience on the upper deck.

The vessel also features a swimming pool, massage room and 42 suites.

The menus reflect the destination guests sail through, with options including Egyptian beef liver, fatteh, sweet corn soup, mulukhiya Egyptian bread, hawawshi and more.

Guests can also pair their meals onboard with locally sourced Egyptian wines including Omar Khayyam and Shahrazade.

“As Egypt continues to be a top trending travel destination, we are overjoyed to set sail along the famed Nile River and provide an unmatched look at the destination aboard our striking new Super Ship, the S.S. Sphinx.

“We’re excited for our guests to experience the ship as it fully embodies what they love most when sailing with us, exquisite design and experiences they won’t find anywhere else,” said Ellen Bettridge, chief executive of Uniworld.

“Over the past few years, our team poured their heart into sourcing the design aspects, spending weeks at a time searching the souks and bazaars to find local artisans and family-owned furniture businesses to collaborate with and bring the true spirit of Egypt to life onboard.

“Everything from the artwork to the ceilings to the ship’s bow was thought out and sourced by the local community

This floating boutique hotel features the signature touches the company’s ships are known for – more suites, more dining areas with space for social distancing, and more luxurious finishes, while maintaining their high crew to guest ratio.

Additionally, all staterooms and suites onboard have French balconies.

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Kenya leads World Travel Awards winners in Africa and Indian Ocean

Written by Gill Dewar on October 22, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Activity, Airline.

October 22, 2021

World Travel Awards – the leading authority that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has unveiled its Africa and Indian Ocean 2021 winners.

In the Africa categories, Kenya enjoyed a strong showing, with its thriving capital Nairobi named ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’, Kenyatta International Convention Centre collecting ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’ and Kenya Tourist Board winning ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Board’.

Cape Town was recognised as ‘Africa’s Leading City Destination’ and its majestic Table Mountain won ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ for the third year in succession.

Tanzania – with its national parks, wildlife and palm-fringed beaches – was voted ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’.

In the Indian Ocean, Maldives cemented its reputation as the definitive secluded sanctuary to win ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination’, ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination’.

Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation was named ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board’.

Meanwhile the lush forests and palm-fringed beaches of Seychelles helped the islands scoop ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination’.

Mystical Madagascar was named ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination’, while Reunion Island was heralded ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Nature Destination’.

In the hospitality sector, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club took ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’, while Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, South Africa picked up ‘Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel’.

In a fiercely-contested category, Vakkaru Maldives was named ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort’, while Velaa Private Island, Maldives won ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Private Island Resort’.

In the newcomer categories, Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre, Johannesburg was voted ‘Africa’s Leading New Hotel’ with ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading New Resort’ going to ‘Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas’.

In the aviation sector, Kenya Airways won both ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class’, Cape Town International Airport took ‘Africa’s Leading Airport’, while Air Seychelles collected ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline’.

The results follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands.

Votes were cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.

Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said: “Our winners represent the very best of travel and hospitality in Africa and the Indian Ocean and my congratulations to each of them.

“They are all playing starring roles in spearheading the travel and tourism recovery.”

Country-level winners include Sandfontein Lodge & Nature Reserve (Namibia’s Leading Safari Lodge’); Xigera Safari Lodge (‘Botswana’s Leading Luxury Safari Lodge’); and Morukuru Beach Lodge (‘South Africa’s Leading Beach Hotel’).

More Information

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognize and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

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Singapore Airline Just Unveiled an Exclusive New In-flight Wellness Program — With Help From a Top Spa Resort

Written by Gill Dewar on October 21, 2021. Posted in Airline, Amazing Facts, Destination news.

October 21, 2021 –

When guests enter Golden Door, the San Marcos, California spa resort known worldwide for its “life-changing” wellness programming, the first scene they’ll encounter is a long wooden bridge under a canopy of leaves that runs straight and then makes a sharp left turn.

Guests are told that when they turn that corner, they’re leaving the stressors of the outside world behind.

Now, Singapore Airlines is working with Golden Door’s experts in mental and physical health to give travelers that same feeling as they board a plane and turn down the aisle to settle in for a long-haul flight.

The new Singapore Airlines partnership with Golden Door, announced Tuesday morning, includes new menus, in-flight exercises, and sleep education, and will launch on Los Angeles-to-Singapore (SQ37) flights in January before expanding to nonstop flights to Singapore from San Francisco, New York JFK, and Seattle.

But how do you take the magic cultivated across 600 acres of Southern California avocado and citrus groves, hiking trails, Japanese-inspired gardens, and biodynamic farmland, and translate it to a 50-square-foot first class suite 36,000 feet in the air?

The answer is multifaceted and requires experimentation between chefs, nutritionists, and personal trainers — but at the end of the day, it comes down to one simple concept: teaching passengers how to pause.

“You have the right to pause,” Kathy Van Ness, general manager and COO of Golden Door, said. “And that right will help you live longer.” Guests at Golden Door are there to take time out of their busy lives to care for their bodies and minds. And on a 17-hour-plus flight, travelers are afforded a similar opportunity to use a time out in their favor.

“We build our programs around the world’s longest flights… to have that time to dig into the content that Golden Door is creating,” Betty Wong, SIA’s divisional vice president of in-flight services and design, said.

Passengers in premium cabins will have access to an e-library filled with simple exercises to increase circulation and flexibility, and expert learnings on experience-based sleep techniques before, during, and after their flights.

Of course, what all of this means to travelers will vary. Some will nosh on orange-braised baby beet salad, stretch and meditate along to the fitness videos, and pore over articles on secrets to better sleep. Others will turn on a rom-com and order their fill of Champagne. Many will fall somewhere in between. “It’s flexibility and options,” Wong said. “Everyone is different and their needs are different.” As someone who experienced Singapore’s previous wellness program with Canyon Ranch on the inaugural world’s longest flight in 2018 and followed the itinerary to its fullest potential (with a side of Champagne; I’m only human), I know firsthand the benefits of turning a long flight into a mini-wellness retreat. About 19 hours after leaving Newark, I had the energy to look a 12-hour time difference square in the eye and take myself straight to a business dinner at a buzzing hawker centre, followed by an early morning of exploring the city.

And as someone who already had a chance to try the upcoming menu from Golden Door executive chef Greg Frey and Singapore Airlines director of food and beverage Anthony McNeil, I also know that whatever each individual’s in-flight MO may be, they’re at the very least going to enjoy the food.

The menu, which includes many of the same dishes Frey serves his guests at Golden Door, has been adapted by McNeil to ensure every dish can be properly stored and pleasantly presented on an airplane. After months of video calls from across the world, the pair was able to team up in person inside the Golden Door kitchen in late September, along with the catering chefs who will bring the meals to life once the program launches.

McNeil said coming to California helped him “to understand the philosophy, see the surroundings, and to really be able to curate a more accurate picture of what the Golden Door experience is.”

While Frey grows his own ingredients in his fragrant on-site gardens, Singapore Airlines’ innovative use of aeroponic farming should leave little to be desired in the vegetable department. Using detoxifying combinations and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as turmeric, verbena, mint, and olive oil, the new wellness dishes are designed to satisfy but also pack in nutrients, helping ease the body into a long journey and new time zone.

Sample dishes include citrus grilled shrimp salad with honey-glazed mushrooms, blackberries, sourdough croutons, and balsamic ginger dressing as an appetizer; portobello meatballs and risotto with heirloom tomato sauce and wilted greens (a personal favorite) as a main course; oatmeal with goji berries, blueberries, quinoa, almonds, and honey drizzle for breakfast; and vegan coconut ice cream with mango for dessert.

At Golden Door, dinner is the main event that gets all 40 guests — mothers and daughters, CEOs and city dwellers, often times movie stars and media moguls — to gather together each day. On flights to Singapore, especially amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the social scene won’t be the same. Van Ness and her team are hopeful, however, that the feeling of rejuvenation upon departure will be.

“Our goal,” she said, “is to affect every single person inside that plane in a positive way.”

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This $5-billion Moon-themed Resort Is Coming to Las Vegas — Complete With an ‘Active Lunar Colony’ and Spaceship Nightclub

Written by Gill Dewar on October 21, 2021. Posted in Destination news, Activity, Amazing Facts, Hotel.

October 21, 2021

Moon Resorts Las Vegas is one of four lunar-themed properties planned to open around the world.

Space tourism is slowly becoming a reality with billionaires making seemingly regular visits to the stars and the world’s first space hotel planned to make its debut in 2027. Despite the promising progress, it may take a while before space tourism is available at a more accessible price point.

So what’s the next best thing in the meantime? Perhaps this new moon-shaped hotel coming to the Las Vegas Strip.

Canadian-based company Moon World Resorts Inc. has announced plans for a $5 billion, 5.5-million-square-foot hotel whose signature feature will be a replica of the moon standing at 735 feet tall and 650 feet wide.

The replica will only be 1/75,000 the size of the moon, but that’s large enough to accommodate 4,000 guest rooms and suites. Plans for Moon Resorts Las Vegas also include a 75,000-square-foot spa, 50,000-square-feet of food and beverage offerings, 75,000-square-feet of retail, and 150,00-square-feet of clubs and lounges.

For entertainment, guests can look forward to a 2,500-seat theater, a planetarium, a 5,000-seat event center, a 10,000-seat arena, and, of course, a casino. Adding to the moon-theme will also be a nightclub that will be positioned directly under a “spaceship” and will beam lights down on guests, the Daily Mail reported.

However, the main highlight of the property will be the “active lunar colony.” The colony, which will be in the upper half of the sphere, will “precisely mimic those [lunar colonies] now under serious active planning by Nasa, ESA, and many others.” And for $500, visitors can spend 90 minutes exploring the 10-acre space, using a “moon buggy” to pass over the craters.

Even just accessing this main attraction will be an adventure, with guests riding a rollercoaster-like “moon shuttle” that circles the exterior of the hotel suites on its way up to the lunar colony.

“People want something unique, something different, something ‘Wow,'” Michael Henderson, co-founder of Moon World Resorts, Inc., told The New York Post. “Space flights cost $200,000 to $250,000 — so the masses just can’t participate. With Moon [World Resorts], for $500, they can walk on an authentic lunar surface and enjoy exploring a lunar colony in a spectacular way.”

Moon Resorts Las Vegas will take about four years to build and is one of four lunar-themed properties planned to open around the world in 2026 or 2027. Beyond this Las Vegas property, others are planned for the Middle East, China, and Spain.

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