A Village in Cyprus Is Now Home to This 16-Foot-Tall Potato Statue

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The Belfast Tourist Board recommends that visitors to the Northern Ireland city should try to see “the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience,” the century-old Belfast Cathedral, and The Big Fish, a 32-foot long ceramic statue of a salmon. 

When officials in Xylofagou, a village in Cyprus, were trying to figure out what they could do to commemorate their most famous crop, they thought about Belfast’s Big Fish. But instead of a tiled mosaic covered with stories about their city — like that oversized salmon — Xylofagou ended up with, uh, a giant fiberglass potato on a stick. 

The newly unveiled 16-foot-tall replica of the ‘spunta’ potato variety cost the village €8,000 ($9,300) to design, build, and install. “The Big Potato” has also been roundly mocked on social media for its unfortunate resemblance to, uh, a very personal body part. (No giggling, please!)

“Xylofagou has a long legacy of potato growing and used to be the main potato grower in Cyprus. This helped the village grow into the 10,000-strong community it is today,” community leader George Tasou told the Cyprus Mail. He also said that he’s “not bothered” by the social media snickering about its shape, because the sculpture has gotten some much-needed publicity for Xylophagou. 

Tasou said that the Big Potato will soon be accompanied by more decorative elements and bench seating for people who want to be photographed near the giant spud. There is also a plan to add a “kiosk offering potatoes cooked in many different ways,” and the village may eventually build a potato museum that would show potato-growing tools and pictures of the different varieties of potatoes that are grown in the region. Next year, Xylophagou also wants to set a new Guinness World Record for frying the most French fries at one time; their goal is to cook around 1,760 pounds worth. 

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Loyalty schemes entice flyers

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As more countries open up their borders, and air travel becomes more accessible, some airlines are ramping up their frequent-flyer programmes to entice their clients back on board.

Jeffrey Harrison, Marketing Manager SA of Lufthansa Group, says air traffic and the travel industry have been affected on an unprecedented scale and, with it, all travellers are affected.

blank“We are doing our best to adapt our services and offers to the circumstances. For the most loyal members who may not have been able to earn the necessary points lately to renew their status, Miles & More offers a range of promotions and goodwill measures to its frequent flyers.”

Lufthansa has extended its Miles & More status renewal to all members, says Harrison. “If you didn’t or don’t manage to renew your status in 2020 and 2021, we will renew your status for one year until February 2023. If you achieve your status renewal by the end of 2021 as normal, your status will, of course, remain valid until February 2024. We’ll help you to do so this year with further promotions to reward your flight activities with additional HON Circle miles, and the validity of your status will be adjusted automatically until the beginning of February 2022.”

Relaunched SAA is offering a Voyager double miles promotion and extension of the validity of Voyager miles.

The airline will extend the validity of Voyager miles that are due to expire on March 31, 2022 until March 31, 2023. Simon Newton-Smith, SAA’s Interim Executive: Commercial, says the airline is looking at incentives based on Voyager miles. “We are looking to make the Voyager mile programme more flexible, and are trying to find ways to be more creative.”

Delta Air Lines CEO, Ed Bastian, in a recent letter to SkyMiles members, outlined actions, resources and policies the airline is putting in place to address challenges customers have been facing as they return to travel. Medallion Members who are currently earning status by travelling in 2021 will receive elevated benefits for the 2022 Medallion year. Delta is also extending the ability for award travel on Delta to count toward tier status until December 31, 2022. All SkyMiles members will continue to earn at an accelerated rate on most tickets until December 31, 2021.

“After an unprecedented year, we are thrilled to see so many of our loyal members back in the skies and reuniting with loved ones.”

Members of British Airways Executive Club, whose point collection renewal date is between January and March 2022, will receive another year of their current status. BA’s press office confirmed that no member would lose their tier status, regardless of how many tier points they had earned. The airline has also applied a 25% reduction in the thresholds to achieve various tiers until June 2022: 225 tier points for bronze, 450 for silver and 1 125 for gold.

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The Stratford hotel in London does things differently

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October 19, 2021 – The Stratford Hotel is committed to a responsible way of living. By growing vegetables at a local organic fam and using ethically sourced fabrics, the hotel nurtures the future of East London and local lives – they’re cultivating an authentic community.

The Stratford is where it all starts. GROW is their commitment to a socially responsible way of living that nurtures the future of E20 and local lives. It is why they grow their vegetables at an organic famr 40 minutes away from London. It is why their unifroms and the bedlinen are made from ethically sourced, organic cotton. Their packaging is 100% recyclable and the toiletries are toxins free REN

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Brussels Airport to offer 130 destinations this winter

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October 19, 2021 – The 52 airlines that operate from Brussels Airport will serve a network of 130 European and intercontinental destinations, including several new destinations.

4 new destinations, 6 new routes

In addition to the traditionally popular destinations such as Madrid, Barcelona and Geneva, several new destinations are added to the offer. TUI fly will add Havana (Cuba) to its catalogue, while Transavia will fly to the Austrian ski resort Innsbruck. Air Belgium, which has started to operate from Brussels Airport a few days ago, has been flying between Brussels and Mauritius twice a week since 15 October. And from 15 December, the Belgian airline will connect Brussels Airport to Curaçao via Punta Cana, which is also served by TUI fly.

With several new routes departing from Brussels Airport, the capacity to certain destinations will increase: Corendon Airlines will now serve Antalya (Turkey), Las Palmas, Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Hurghada (Egypt). Brussels Airlines will also fly to Kiev (Ukraine).

Resumed flights and increased frequencies

Many airlines had to suspend flights to certain destinations during the Covid crisis. With the arrival of the winter season and the lifting of travel restrictions, several destinations are returning to Brussels Airport’s offer, such as Bangkok (Thai Airways International), Egypt (TUI fly, Brussels Airlines and Corendon Airlines), the Cape Verde Islands (TUI Fly) and Pisa (Ryanair).

Other airlines are upping the frequency to some intercontinental destinations. Air Canada will now operate a daily service to Montreal. Emirates will carry passengers from Brussels Airport to Dubai 10 times a week. And ANA will increase its service to Tokyo to two flights a week.

A great choice of destinations for all tastes!

 

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Residence Inn by Marriott Playa del Carmen has officially opened its doors

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October 19, 2021 – Residence Inn by Marriott Playa del Carmen has officially opened its doors, with a prime location on the Federal Highway Cancun, Chetumal, and close proximity to world-renowned beaches and breathtaking views. With a global presence of over 860 hotels in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Central America, Residence Inn is the world leader of the longer stay lodging segment, arriving for the first time in Playa del Carmen.

The hotel also marks the arrival of the third Residence Inn in Mexico, debuting at a time when guests are looking for alternative lodging options to a traditional hotel stay for longer stays. Residence Inn Playa del Carmen is the ideal destination for executives and leisure travelers who are in the city for both business and leisure with more room to spread out, for family and even pets.

Located in the Playacar complex, Residence Inn Playa del Carmen offers 149 pet-friendly spacious suites combining comfort and style with fully equipped kitchens complete with a refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, dishwasher, residential-size appliances, dishes and cookware. Guests can settle into their home away from home with separate areas for living and sleeping paired with personalized service and amenities including a complimentary American breakfast for all guests.

“Cancun and Playa del Carmen continue to be top destination choices for national and international travelers visiting Mexico. The region has become an aviation hub attracting top-of-the-line tourism and hospitality investments, a key driver in the growth of the region. Previously, there were no longer-stay hotel options in the area, so our new hotel comes just at the right time,” said Arturo Cruz, Sales Director of Residence Inn by Marriott Playa del Carmen. “Conveniently located 58 kilometers from the Cancun Airport, our guests have the option of enjoying the beaches, dining in a relaxed setting, and soaking in the comfort of our expansive suites so they can feel right at home.”

The hotel offers additional amenities including complimentary grocery delivery service, The Market open 24 hours for gab-and-go options, a self-service laundry room, mobile app, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, and complimentary high-speed WiFi.

Residence Inn Playa del Carmen offers 54.27 square meters of event and meeting space filled with natural light and built-in multimedia technology.

For more information about Residence Inn Playa del Carmen visit: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cunrp-residence-inn-playa-del-carmen

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Iberia offers 70 weekly flights to the United States

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October 19. 2021 – Iberia now flies to New York, Miami, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles

The airline has launched an offer to travel to these destinations from 111 euros each way.

Iberia is betting on reactivating connections and, for the winter season that begins on October 31, it has scheduled 70 weekly flights between Spain and the United States, to the same destinations it operated before. from the start of the pandemic throughout the year.

Specifically, the airline will offer 10 weekly flights to New York and another 10 to Miami in each direction; Chicago will have five flights a week, and Boston and Los Angeles with three other weekly frequencies. The offer is completed with four weekly flights to San Juan de Puerto Rico, a destination that is also part of the joint business agreement for routes between Europe and the North Atlantic that Iberia maintains together with American Airlines, British Airways and Finnair.

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WIZZ air announces major expansion of its operations in Ukraine

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October 19, 2021 -MORE THAN DOUBLING CAPACITY TO OFFER THE MOST SEATS OF ANY AIRLINE FROM THE UKRAINE

Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and a leading low-cost airline in Ukraine, announces today its major expansion in the Ukrainian market, with a doubling of capacity.  This expansion comes as a result of Ukraine signing the Open Skies agreement with the EU yesterday, on 12 October 2021.

The airline announces allocation of 5 new modern, state-of-the-art to its base at Kyiv International Airport. The new Airbus 321 aircraft will join the fleet from the beginning of summer season. With this investment, Wizz Air is more than doubling the airline’s capacity at Kyiv International Airport offering passengers 12 new routes from Kyiv to the long-awaited destinations, such as Paris Beauvais, Brussels-Charleroi, Eindhoven, Nice, Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Malaga, Porto, Palma De Mallorca, Chania-Crete, and Basel Mulhouse Freiburg.

Furthermore, Wizz Air also announces the allocation of 2 new Airbus 321 aircraft at its Lviv base starting from the summer season as well. The new aircraft will support operations of 9  new routes to Paris Beauvais, Madrid, Eindhoven, Barcelona, Brussels-Charleroi, Nice, Treviso, Athens, and Thessaloniki.

With these new allocations, Wizz Air more than doubles its capacity in the Ukraine, and increases its fleet to 8 aircraft in Kyiv International Airport and to 3 aircraft in Lviv International Airport.  In addition, the airline will also invest to bring more travel opportunities for passengers traveling from Odesa and Kharkiv, as the airline is adding new routes from Odesa to London Luton, Pardubice, Athens, and from Kharkiv to Thessaloniki and Pardubice. Moreover, Wizz Air expands the frequency of 25 routes already operated from the Ukraine.  .

Seats for all routes are already available on wizzair.com or on the airline’s app for fares as low as UAH 809 / EUR 24.99*

This large-scale expansion of WIZZ operations in Ukraine will enable the airline to achieve 120% growth in summer season 2022. This will make Wizz Air the largest airline providing direct seats from the Ukraine.  The newly allocated capacity of over 1,4 million  seats per year will further contribute to the Ukrainian aviation market and to the creation of over 288 new direct jobs with Wizz Air further  supporting 1050 additional local jobs in associated industries .

Wizz Air started operations in Ukraine in 2008 and since then the airline has carried over 11 million passengers in Ukraine. By basing new aircraft at its Kyiv and Lviv bases and commencing new services, Wizz Air further underlines its commitment to Ukrainian market,  bringing truly affordable air travel services to even more travellers. With today’s announcement, WIZZ brings more all-time favourite European destinations even closer to passengers from Ukraine, offering in total 117 routes to 21 countries from 6 Ukrainian airports.

Speaking at the press conference in Kyiv, Robert Carey, President of Wizz Air Group said: “Today marks a major expansion of Wizz Air in the Ukraine and brings great news for Ukrainian travellers, as well as those who wish to visit the country. Thanks to the new EU Open Skies agreement, we are delighted to announce that we will more than double our capacity to the Ukraine, with the addition of 5 new aircraft to our base in Kyiv and 2 new aircraft in Lviv. These additional aircraft will allow us to launch  26 new routes from Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and Kharkov and increase frequencies on 25 existing routes from the Ukraine. In total, Wizz Air will operate 117 routes to 22 countries from the Ukraine, including 11 total based aircraft.  Committed to the Ukrainian market, more based aircraft and more low fare routes mean more jobs, and more support to ramp up tourism in Ukraine.  In addition to giving more Ukrainians the chance to travel thanks to our low fares, this investment will further stimulate the local economy, and the aviation and tourism sectors. 

We look forward to welcoming more passengers on board our modern aircraft with great service.”

Denys Kostrzhevsky, Head of the Board of Directors of the “Kyiv” International Airport, added:Wizz Air has been our strategic partner for many years. Today’s news is another testament to our strong relationship. We are glad together with Ukrainian citizens that from now on they will have even more opportunities to travel from IEV. And we will continue to care about the best and more comfortable service for our passengers.

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

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, that they will be able to rebook on any WIZZ flight of their choice. This provides an  extra layer of protection and peace of mind for passenger bookings during these uncertain times.

WIZZ AIR’S NEWEST ROUTES FROM UKRAINE

DESTINATION

DAYS

LOWEST FARE*    

STARTS

KYIV – PARIS BEAUVAIS

Monday, Friday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

17 December 2021

KYIV – BRUSSELS-CHARLEROI

Wednesday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

19 December 2021

KYIV- EINDHOVEN

Tuesday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

18 December 2021

KYIV – NICE

Tuesday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

3 May 2022

KYIV-BARCELONA

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

From 1 August 2022 –

Daily

969 UAH / 29.99 EUR

27 March 2022

KYIV – MADRID

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

From 1 July 2022 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

969 UAH / 29.99 EUR

3 May 2022

KYIV-ALICANTE

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

2 July 2022

KYIV – MALAGA

Monday, Friday

From 3 july 2022 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

969 UAH / 29.99 EUR

2 May 2022

KYIV – PORTO

Monday, Friday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

1 July 2022

KYIV – PALMA DE MALLORCA

Monday, Friday

969 UAH / 29.99 EUR

1 August 2022

KYIV – CHANIA-CRETE

Tuesday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

2 August 2022

KYIV – BASEL MULHOUSE FREIBURG

Monday, Friday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

1 August 2022

LVIV – PARIS BEAUVAIS

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

28 March 2022

LVIV – MADRID

Thursday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

27 March 2022

LVIV – EINDHOVEN

Thursday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

27 March 2022

LVIV – BARCELONA

Monday, Friday

From 1 June 2022 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

28 March 2022

LVIV – BRUSSELS-CHARLEROI

Wednesday, Friday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

1 June 2022

LVIV – NICE

Wednesday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

1 June 2022

LVIV – TREVISO

Thursday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

2 June 2022

LVIV – ATHENS

Tuesday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

4 June 2022

LVIV – THESSALONIKI

Thursday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

2 June 2022

ODESA – LONDON LUTON

Thursday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

27 March 2022

ODESA – PARDUBICE

Tuesday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

2 July 2022

ODESA – ATHENS

Tuesday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

2 July 2022

KHARKIV – THESSALONIKI

Tuesday, Saturday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

29 March 2022

KHARKIV – PARDUBICE

Thursday, Sunday

809 UAH / 24.99 EUR

2 June 2022

         


FREQUENCY INCREASES

DESTINATION

Frequency increase

KHARKIV-TALLINN

2 → 3

KYIV-ATHENS

3 → 4

KYIV-BILLUND

3 → 4

KYIV-BOLOGNA

2 → 3

KYIV-BRATISLAVA

4 → 5

KYIV-BUDAPEST

4 → 7

KYIV-ROME FIUMICINO

3 → 5

KYIV-HAMBURG

3 → 4

KYIV-LARNACA

3 → 5

KYIV-LISBON

2 → 3

KYIV-MILAN MALPENSA

3 → 4

KYIV-NAPLES

2 → 3

KYIV-NURENBERG

2 → 3

KYIV-PARDUBICE

3 → 4

KYIV-POZNAN

2 → 3

KYIV-THESSALONIKI

2 → 4

KYIV-TALLINN

5 → 7

KYIV-TREVISO

2 → 3

KYIV-VIENNA

4 → 7

LVIV-BERLIN

3 → 4

LVIV-ROME CIAMPINO

2 → 3

LVIV-MEMMINGEN

2 → 3

LVIV-LARNACA

2 → 3

LVIV-NAPLES

2 → 3

LVIV-PARDUBICE

3 → 4

* One-way price, including administration fee. One carry-on bag (max: 40x30x20cm) is included. Trolley bag and each piece of checked-in baggage is subject to additional fees. The price applies only to bookings made on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app. Number of seats at indicated prices are limited.

** ACI suggests creation of 750 on-site jobs for every 1 million carried passengers per year

 

5 NEW AIRCRAFT BASED IN KYIV, 2 NEW AIRCRAFT BASED IN LVIV

26 NEW ROUTES FROM KYIV, LVIV, ODESA AND KHARKIV

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Radisson Hotel Group becomes world’s first hotel group to offer carbon negative meetings

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October 18, 2021 – Radisson Hotel Group becomes world’s first hotel group to offer carbon negative meetings

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to be the world’s first hotel group to make all meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative. For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment.

For meetings booked between 18 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and taking place before 31st March 2022, Carbon Negative. Planet Positive will set a new sustainability standard in the global hospitality industry. The program allows clients to host meetings in a sustainable way by offsetting double the CO2 emissions from meetings and events free of charge to the client, making meetings that take place during this period at participating hotels carbon negative.

Carbon Negative. Planet Positive reinforces the Group’s 100% Carbon Neutral meetings offering, in place across the Group’s 1,600 hotels worldwide since 2019. The initiative forms part of the Group’s wider Responsible Business program which targets reducing the Group’s carbon footprint by 30%, and which aims to set science-based targets. Since the launch of the 100% Carbon Neutral Meetings program, the Group has offset over 30,300 tons of CO2 at no cost to its clients, which is the equivalent to removing more than 6,500 fuel driven cars1 off the road.

Carbon Negative, Planet Positive meetings complement the Group’s Hybrid Meetings solutions which launched in 2020 and offer owners and guests the flexibility and space optimization they require to better meet the rapid lifestyle changes of today’s travelers. Hybrid Meetings are available across more than 100 hotels in EMEA and contribute to a lighter scope 3 footprint for the client.

“The upcoming COP26 conference will see world leaders come together to discuss climate change which needs all our attention. At Radisson Hotel Group, we are constantly reviewing how we as a global business can influence positive climate action, and how we can encourage the hospitality industry to push the boundaries on green meetings and events. We are proud to be pioneering this initiative and trust that meeting organizers around the globe recognize the positive impact they can have on the environment as face-to-face meetings increase,” says Eric de Neef, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Branding & Commercial Officer.

“Carbon Negative. Planet Positive allows you to make your meetings carbon negative and your impact planet positive. With the return of business travel, now is the time to have a positive impact. For Radisson Hotel Group, it is important that we offset carbon emissions according to the highest quality standards and in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is why we select offsetting projects that are not only good for the environment, but also socially relevant. This initiative plays a key role in helping us achieve our Responsible Business targets to protect people, planet, and community,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications.

For each meeting, the carbon footprint is calculated using the HCMI methodology2 and then offset through projects which are Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) recognized. These projects combat climate change and contribute to sustainable development in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and include: a clean cooking and safe water program in Kenya, wind farm projects in Turkey, India, and the US to generate green electricity, a forest protection program in Peru to reduce deforestation sustainably, and a biogas project in rural China. In addition, members of Radisson’s Radisson Rewards loyalty program can also choose to redeem their loyalty points to offset their stay.

Carbon Negative. Planet Positive. will be available from October 18, 2021 to January 31, 2022, for meetings and events taking place between October 18, 2021, and March 31, 2022. For more information, please visit:
https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/meeting-conference-hotels/offers/carbon-negative-meetings?nocache

 

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This Five-star Paris Hotel Is a Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Lover’s Dream

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Le Bristol Paris, part of the Oetker Collection, wants to give its guests a true taste of the finer things in life. And that includes bringing the best cheeses in the world to their brand-new, in-house fromage cellar.
 
In 2019, the luxury hotel in Paris unveiled the first iteration of its Les Ateliers du Bristol workshops with widely acclaimed chef Éric Fréchon’s artisanal flour mill and bakery. The following year, Le Bristol brought a chocolate factory into the mix with head pastry chef Julien Alvarez, followed quickly by an updated wine cellar. And now, the hotel is ready to unveil its latest on-site craftsman offering: a cheese-aging cellar.
 
“First came the living bread crafted with freshly milled heritage wheat in the on-site bakery, then the magnificent handmade delights of the chocolate factory and the exclusive wine cellar. Now, Les Ateliers du Bristol is introducing the fourth expertise to its refined offering with the addition of the in-house cheese cellar,” a spokesperson for the hotel shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure.
 
According to the spokesperson, the new fromagerie is the realization of a shared vision between Le Bristol’s Fréchon and award-winning cheesemaker Marie-Anne Cantin. The atelier features an aging cellar, home to a seasonal selection of cheeses, some of which are prepared at Le Bristol’s kitchens. All the cheese is left to develop and mature in the cool, dark cellar, lined in wood and maintained with the perfect balance of humidity so you can come to experience the ideal bite.
 
Visitors to the hotel are welcome to visit the cheese cellar for a taste of rare selections of Khorasan bread, also baked on the premises, paired with a rich comte or a smooth chevre, all aged in the on-site cellar.
 
“Never one to miss out on an opportunity to express his creativity, chef Fréchon will enrich the selection of cheeses from time to time with his own recipes, including a salted butter camembert marinated in calvados and enrobed in breadcrumbs,” the spokesperson added.
 
Cheeses from the in-house cheese cellar are served at the hotel’s restaurants including Epicure, 114 Faubourg, and Café Antonia. So, if you’re enthralled by the notion of cheese, chocolate, and wine all aged in house — with bread baked on the premises — it’s time to book a stay for an unforgettable Parisian adventure.
 
 
 

 

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Why Venice is waging a new battle in war on cruise ships

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The arrival of the first cruise ship to dock in Venice in 18 months has triggered a fresh wave of arguments between campaigners and the city authorities.

The Italian government announced in March that large vessels, including cruise ships and shipping containers, would be banned from Venice, in response to “concerns from residents over pollution and underwater erosion of the city’s foundations”, the BBC reports. 

So the arrival of the 92,000-tonne MSC Orchestra in the so-called City of Water earlier this month “caught many by surprise” and “reawakened old divisions” in a war of words that “has pitted the economy against the environment”, says The Guardian.

The huge liner sailed into the lagoon on 3 June to pick up passengers for a cruise to Greece before departing two days later. The ship “was given a victorious send-off by port workers”, who “filled about two dozen vessels that sailed alongside it”, The Guardian reports. But “it was also escorted away by a flotilla of small boats with anti-cruise ship campaigners on board”, the paper continues.

For the 5,000 people employed at Venice’s cruise port, the arrival of MSC Orchestra “was a symbol of hope for the future after more than 18 months without work” as a result of travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. But for the anti-ship demonstrators, the “visit was a reminder of a period they were hoping had been banished to the past”. Overtourism has long been an issue of massive concern for many Venetians. A 2019 push for a referendum on greater autonomy for the floating city centred around a fear of “mass tourism, depopulation and urban decay”,as The Local reported at the time. 

Campaigners argue that as well as fuelling these problems, the ships’ presence in the lagoon is also “negatively changing the ecosystem, and damaging the notoriously fragile city with the movement of water they cause”, CNN says. 

Along with this reported environmental damage, campaigners also point to an accident in 2019, when a 13-deck cruise liner operated by the same company that owns the MSC Orchestra crashed into a wharf and tourist boat, injuring four people. In the wake of the collision, thousands of protesters hit the streets to demand a ban on larger vessels.

However, for the Venetians whose jobs depended on the 32,000 cruise ship passengers who disembarked in the city daily pre-pandemic, the ships are a vital part of the economy. 

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Former Prison Island Gets a Makeover As Costa Rica’s Newest National Park

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October 18, 2021 – Hiking, history, and howler monkeys are waiting at Costa Rica’s 30th national park.

Once the home of a wildlife refuge and a notoriously brutal prison, Costa Rica’s San Lucas Island now welcomes visitors to discover its new identity as the country’s 30th national park.

Costa Rica

Located off the Pacific coast of the Gulf of Nicoya, San Lucas Island National Park is made up of both land and coastal areas that cover 1.8 square miles. With new purpose comes new features, so visitors can expect to find freshly minted hiking trails, toilets, 24-hour surveillance, and systems for electricity and water.

As reported by Lonely Planet, the wildlife that can be found on the island includes howler monkeys, spiders, snakes, deer, and pheasants. While in San Lucas, visitors can also explore the former prison buildings, which are now considered cultural heritage sites. Over 50 guides have been trained to help guests understand the history of the island and its former prison founded by the dictator Tomás Miguel Guardia Gutiérrez.

“San Lucas Island is part of Costa Rica’s history and heritage, so we are very pleased to reopen it as the country’s 30th national park,” Gustavo Segura Sancho, Costa Rica’s tourism minister, told Lonely Planet. “It will greatly surprise visitors looking for quieter spots when on holiday.”

San Lucas Island National Park can be reached via a 40-minute boat ride from the city of Puntarenas, located 60 miles from San José. It is the second national park in the region of Puntarenas, following Coco Island National Park. According to Lonely Planet, the new park was created in hopes of encouraging visitors to discover the country’s hidden gems, while also developing sustainable tourism opportunities and contributing to the socioeconomic development of the area.

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Zlatibor Mountain Serbia – exciting activities

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October 18, 2021 – Welcome to Zlatibor Mountain

Situated at an elevation of just over 1,000 metres, Zlatibor is a climatic resort, characterized by a cool alpine climate, clean air, long periods of sunshine during the summer and a heavy snow cover in winter. Tourist facilities include modern hotels, holiday centers and cottages, sports grounds and skiing tracks.
 
 
Thanks to the geographic configuration and favorable microclimate, which includes temperate wind intensity, Zlatibor is one of the most suitable paragliding locations in Serbia.
 
 
On 14 January 2021, the longest panoramic gondola lift in the world became operational. It connects the center of Zlatibor with the Tornik peak, via the Ribnica Lake. It is 8.95 km (5.56 mi) long, has 55 gondolas with 10 seats each and is designed to transport 600 passengers in one hour.
 
 
 
Zlatibor as conference destination
 
One of the most popular conference halls in Zlatibor region is The Koledo Congress Center. With its 500 seats is located near the main entrance to the Mona hotel, and it is connected to the hotel lobby bar and restaurant. If necessary, this multifunctional room can be divided into 2 or 3 independent units, which can be designed according to the needs of all types of events.

The congress center ceiling height is 5 m, which makes it ideal for holding all types of conferences, seminars and celebrations. The room is equipped with the state-of-the-art technology, air conditioning, sound system, lighting, and optical internet access.

For the purpose of organizing large gatherings, the congress area offers the possibility of setting up an exhibition area in the foyers of the congress center, at the front desk and in the summer garden.

Plenty of sunshine at the Koledo Congress Centre guarantees pleasant and comfortable work.
 
Cycling Experience in Belgrade
 
 
If you’re passing through Belgrade and you want to take most out of your time here, we recommend you Belgrade Experience on bike. Belgrade is a city unlike other. As we take you deep into Belgrade – you will feel as if you’re biking through multiple cities. The different architectural styles, historical remnants of Austrian, Roman and Ottoman Empire each tell their own version of what Belgrade was in their time.

We will take you through a time traveling journey, retell how it is that a city that was conquered over forty times is still standing today before your eyes.

Ride pass the rivers Danube and Sava and see impressive buildings of the socialist era of Yugoslavia, the old village of Zemun, the green and beautiful island of Ada with its beach and most importantly the key highlights of Belgrade’s center.
 

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Kempinski Hotels and Universal Beijing Resort open two extraordinary new hotels

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October 18, 2021 – Kempinski Hotels, together with the widely anticipated Universal Beijing Resort, featuring immersive experiences inspired by some of the popular culture’s most compelling stories and characters, is debuting two extraordinary hotels: The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and NUO Resort Hotel – Universal Beijing Resort, operated by Key International Hotels Management Co., Ltd. (‘Key International’) – a joint venture between Beijing Tourism Group (‘BTG’) and Kempinski Hotels.

“This is a very significant step in our company’s history, and we couldn’t be more excited to be associated with Universal Beijing Resort in this new venture,” says Bernold Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer, Kempinski Group and Chairman of the Management Board, Kempinski AG. “More than ever, guests are looking for unique and captivating experiences during their travels. With the two new hotels, we are able to provide an engaging and memorable stay with the highest-quality standards combined with the timeless European elegance Kempinski has been known for to all our guests and theme park visitors.”

Michael Henssler, Chief Operating Officer Asia of Kempinski Hotels and General Manager of Key International added “With Key International, Kempinski and BTG enjoy a strong partnership and rich history together, as pioneers in luxury hospitality in China. We have achieved tremendous success during the past two decades. The opening of the Universal Beijing Resort was a truly labour of passion and dedication and marks the next phase of the joint venture to continue selectively expanding in the region.”

“We are proud to welcome guests for a stay at those two extraordinary hotels for a perfect complement for the theme park experience,” said Dorian Rommel, Managing Director of Universal Beijing Resort Hotel Management Branch. “We’re confident that the two hotels will embrace a new level of theme park hospitality that is beyond expectation, along with one-of-a-kind guest experiences and services, as well as create an ideal destination for an urban staycation.”

Situated at the entrance to the Universal Studios Beijing theme park, the inaugural Universal-themed hotel The Universal Studios Grand Hotel brings the contemporary interpretation of the glitter of the Hollywood Golden Age. Designed in a classic Spanish style, The hotel features 800 rooms and three outstanding dining options, including one all-day dining, Universal Studios The Lotus Garden; Universal Studios Red Dragon Lounge offering refreshing great drinks and laid-back meals; as well as the Califonia favourite Peet’s Coffee. The Universal Studios Grand Hotel’s decor pays tribute to Universal Studios’s century-long contribution to the world of film and celebrates the glamour of the Golden Age itself.

NUO Resort Hotel – Universal Beijing Resort offers a luxurious and picturesque escape exemplifying the beauty of China’s ancient royal garden. The first-ever resort hotel from NUO, one of the country’s first homegrown luxury hotel brands, is inspired by the traditional Chinese cultural and artistic achievements and provides a mix of business with pleasure and art with technology, as well as sustainability. Located on the banks of the park’s waterway, the hotel features 400 rooms and suites, a spa, an indoor swimming pool and wellness facilities and multi-function meeting space Magnolia Room. The three distinctive dining outlets include the lively art deco Café Royal, featuring the Mediterranean favourites and Asian-inspired cuisine, whilst the signature Chinese restaurant, JIA, showcases authentic flavours of the world-renowned Cantonese cuisine, and The Lobby Lounge is dedicated to the appreciation of Chinese tea culture.

Universal Beijing Resort will feature Universal Studios Beijing, the largest Universal theme park at the time of opening, two exceptional hotels, The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and NUO Resort Hotel, alongside Universal CityWalk Beijing. Altogether, Universal Studios Beijing features seven highly themed and immersive lands that include several all-new attractions along with the selected Universal rides, shows and attractions from around the world – plus specially created experiences designed to reflect China’s cultural heritage. Also, Universal CityWalk Beijing serves as a one-stop entertainment complex, featuring various dining, shopping and entertainment offerings, allowing guests to enjoy their stay any way they choose. With iconic attractions, popular rides, stunning shows and unique hotels, Universal Beijing Resort offers rich experiences and high-quality services for guests of all ages.

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Delta to launch new Los Angeles, New York and Orlando flights to Panama

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October 18, 2021 – Delta to launch new Los Angeles, New York and Orlando flights to Panama

Delta will launch new nonstop flights to Panama City, Panama (PTY), from Los Angeles and Orlando on Dec. 18, and from New York-JFK on Dec. 20. Delta will also add a second Saturday flight from Atlanta on Dec. 18.

  • Launching new Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and Orlando (MCO) service to Panama City in December 2021, plus additional flight from Atlanta (ATL)
  • New flights and increased service grows Delta’s capacity to Panama by 80% since December 2019

Delta will launch new nonstop flights to Panama City, Panama (PTY), from Los Angeles and Orlando on Dec. 18, and from New York-JFK on Dec. 20. Delta will also add a second Saturday flight from Atlanta on Dec. 18.  

In total, Delta will offer 13 weekly flights between four U.S. cities and Panama this winter, the most we’ve operated to the country since launching flights in 1998.

“From its breathtaking beaches and vibrant culture to its competitive economy in Latin America, Panama is a highly sought destination for business and leisure travelers alike,” said Luciano Macagno, Delta’s Managing Director – Latin America, Caribbean and South Florida. “With our new direct flights from our L.A. and JFK hubs that offer significant U.S. connectivity, as well as the demand from the local Orlando community, we’re looking forward to introducing Delta’s signature hospitality and exceptional onboard experience to more customers planning their next trip.”

Customers transiting through LAX can connect to 48 U.S. cities, while JFK offers flights to 46 U.S. cities. At LAX, Delta is investing $1.86 billion to modernize and upgrade Terminals 2 and 3 and connect them to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The central head house is set to open in Q1 2022. Additionally, the Delta-funded JFK Terminal 4 redevelopment program will make JFK travel more convenient for customers by summer 2023 – with 10 new gates, an additional domestic baggage claim carousel and the consolidation of all of Delta’s JFK operations into Terminal 4.

New L.A. and Orlando service – Delta’s only international flight at MCO – will both operate once-weekly on the 199-seat Boeing 757 aircraft and the 180-seat Boeing 737-900, respectively. New JFK service will operate on the 160-seat Boeing 737-800 three times per week, increasing to four times in March 2022.

In addition to Main Cabin, all aircraft offer a spacious First Class cabin and extra legroom in Delta Comfort+. All customers will enjoy in-seat power outlets for their devices, Wi-Fi available for purchase and free mobile messaging, and personal seat-back entertainment screens featuring a wealth of premium content, including curated playlists and podcasts from Delta’s partnership with Spotify.

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U.S. borders reopen to international travelers Nov. 8

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October 18, 2021 – The White House on Friday will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated international visitors starting November 8, ending historic restrictions that had barred much of the world from entering the United States for as long as 21 months.

Now over 30 million visitors are expected to visit the country.

The US has been a popular tourist destination and that got severely impacted over the past 18 months. Besides tourism, the US is also frequently visited for business purposes, its conferences and specialized medical treatments.

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Accor’s reopening the Pullman brand in Singapore in 2022

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October 15, 2021 – The hotel group has partnered with New Park Property Pte Ltd to launch the Pullman Singapore Orchard, which will be rebranding of a property on Orchard Road.

The hotel will open in 2022 following a refurbishment and belong to a mixed-use development with commercial and retail outlets including the flagship Apple store.

The property’s 308 rooms will be refurbished with Pullman’s contemporary design ahead of reopening, and the group also promises the addition of “Pullman’s bold dining concepts”. The hotel also features a fitness club and outdoor pool with a bar.

The property is located a short walk from various shopping malls (Paragon, Takashimaya, Wisma Atria and ION Orchard) and minutes from the CBD, the Civic District, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Clarke Quay. Plus it has two MRT stations on its doorstep.

Source: Accor

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The Hudson in New York – a fabulous boat trip

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October 15, 2021 – THE HUDSON ON A CLEAR AFTERNOON

Imagine yourself cruising along the Hudson River towards New York Harbor in a beautiful 80-foot schooner. You’re lying back, enjoying the impressive Manhattan skyline, while enjoying a glass of champagne! This is truly a unique way to experience New York and an opportunity most people are not afforded.  We can assist with a sailing charter for you group for a simple afternoon cruise or perhaps a sunset sail.  The beautiful Schooner can accommodate up to 40 guests.

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Santa Cruz de la Sierra – a tropical adventure in Bolivia

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October 15, 2021 – Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the amazing tropical area of Bolivia, offers unlimited possibilities and fabulous hotels. Experience direct contact with nature, whilst visiting orchids and the Butterfly Park or the Jesuit Mission where Glaa Baroque concerts are preformed.

Be part of Bolivia country life and enjoy horse back riding, swimming, fishing and a delicious local parrillada (barbecue). Tropical sunsets and romantic music form the perfect frame for this exotic adventure

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The 10 Countries Americans Feel Safest About Visiting

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Zurich Unveils New Convention Facilities

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Zurich, known as Switzerland’s “Smart Meeting City,” has recently unveiled several new and renovated facilities, which further expand the offerings of the city’s meetings infrastructure, which has the ability to host all kinds of events, from sustainable “green” meetings to hybrid format meetings to full-scale conventions. 

The Circle Convention Center, a new destination at the Zurich Airport, is now open. The brand-new convention center is just “a stone’s throw” from the airport terminal buildings and offers event space covering more than 54,000 square feet, which makes it well suited for hosting conventions, events and meetings, in addition to gala dinners, trade fairs and product launches. A total of 550 guestrooms and suites at the Hyatt Regency Zurich and Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle can accommodate guests of large-scale events. Even the park has an infrastructure for outdoor events. Prepared for hybrid events, the convention center also offers a virtual TV studio with the latest technology.

Known for hosting smaller events, the foundation at the Arena Convention Expo (ACE) can now host large conventions. Thanks to a collaboration between the Hallenstadion, the largest covered event hall in Switzerland (more than 150,000 square feet), and its neighbour, the Messe Zurich, which offers seven halls spread over 323,000 square feet of space, this new expo space aims to provide clients with every service from a single source.

After four years of reconstruction, the Congress Center and Tonhalle Zurich is once again open for events. This is the first convention center in Switzerland where guests and event planners don’t have to think about their carbon dioxide footprint: The building itself, the catering concept and the center’s central location in the heart of the city by the lake (making it easily accessible by foot), make the implementation easy. And the centre will offset any surplus carbon impact.

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