Follow the footprints

WHEN dinosaurs walked the earth, they left big footprints wherever they trod. Physical evidence of this is prevalent around Isan in #Thailand, with massive #dinosaur footprints at the Phu Faek Forest Park in Kalasin. 

As the story goes, a family noticed strange footprints in the middle of a rock terrace back in November 1996. They later informed Thai geologists who came to survey the site. They discovered 21 footprints in total, belonging to carnivorous dinosaurs, believed to have lived in the area 140 million years ago. At present, only four footprints can be clearly accessed by the public.

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More in Dubai . . .

DUBAI is a place of incredible contrasts. Humble homes and dirt roads are juxtaposed with out of this world luxurious resorts and plush ocean view pads. But #Dubai has always been a place of extremes. A place where more is more. A whole lot more.

Luxury homes here all share certain things: abundant space, stunning design, and, of course, privacy. That’s certainly the case with the XXII Carat ultra-luxury villas that are just about to welcome their first ever occupants. Located right at the end of the Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent, this is where things get rather fancy. For today's new generation of well -heeled travelers, the bar for luxe hideaways has reached dizzying heights.

All the villas are furnished with high end finishing materials and equipment imported from France and Italy such as La Cornue, Baldi, La Cuisine Française, Devon&Devon, Schuco and Miele, to name just a few. Built using only the finest materials, XXII Carat is where all the determinants of uber luxury can be found.

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Up in the air . . .

IN May 2018, Air France-KLM will bring Europe closer to Brazil with the launch of new flights from Paris – Charles de Gaulle (operated by Joon!) and Amsterdam-Schiphol (operated by KLM). The new services will operate twice a week from Paris on Fridays and Sundays, and three times a week from Amsterdam on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays. 

www.airfranceklm.com

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Autumn equinoxes

MARCH has witnessed some of the best Northern Lights activity in recent years and, according to experts at The Aurora Zone, this is not coincidental. Scientific research strongly points to increased geomagnetic activity in the weeks around the spring and autumn equinoxes. On that basis, The Aurora Zone believes that the coming autumn could witness equally spectacular displays.

Increased Auroral activity is not the only reason to take a Northern Lights trip in autumn. Less cloud cover makes sightings easier, the burnished seasonal colours provide a stunning backdrop, temperate weather results in more comfortable Aurora hunting conditions and lakes and rivers, which have not yet frozen, often reflect the Aurora in their glassy surfaces for double the effect.

An example of such a trip is Wilderness Auroras during the Finnish Autumn, which features Menesjärvi in Finnish Lapland as its magical setting. Daytime activities provide ample opportunities to experience Finnish ‘ruska’, the time of year when the leaves turn to rust. Included are a visit to a reindeer farm, a guided nature walk and a trip to meet excitable huskies at a neighbouring farm.

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Ecuador adventure

ADVENTURE tour operator Galakiwi recently unveiled a new 7-day tour itinerary focused on mainland #Ecuador; in particular the Andes and Amazon regions.

Complementing their expansive range of Galapagos land tours, the new itinerary has already been put through the test in early 2018, receiving positive feedback from early travelers.

Working with a number of fellow Adventure Travel Trade Association members for lodging and activity services, Galakiwi has curated some special experiences throughout the country. #Riding horses “chagra” style near Cotopaxi National Park and “climbing” up waterfalls on the edge of the Amazon are two experiences that have already garnered high praise from the first travelers on the new 2018 Ecuador adventure.

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Lucky thirteen

THIRTEEN Australian golf courses are featured in the Golf Digest’s latest list of the greatest international golf courses, a combination of the influential publication’s combined ‘America's 100 Greatest’ and ‘World 100’ lists.

Royal Melbourne West was the highest ranked Australian course on the list, coming in at number five.

Ten of the courses named are members of Great #Golf Courses of #Australia, a collaborative partnership between Australia’s golf courses, Tourism Australia and State tourism boards.

According to the Australian Golf Industry Council, in 2016-17 golf tourism contributed $477 million to the Australian economy.

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An arresting museum to visit

WE live in a society where there is a strong fascination of crime, this is apparent by its prevalence in pop-culture. The subject of crime and serial killers is often the topic of books, TV shows and movies. Those who want to learn more about some of the most infamous killers in America should plan a visit to Alcatraz East Crime Museum. 

Visitors of Alcatraz East Crime Museum can expect to see many crime-related artifacts on display, and learn about ways to help prevent crime. Here are 5 infamous killers’ artifacts that are on display at the museum: 

1. Charles Manson Guitar & Beach Boys single “Never Learn Not to Love” – This guitar was recently added to the museum’s collect. It was taken into custody in Inyo County California, during a raid on the Barker Ranch when Charles Manson was also arrested. 

2. Ted Bundy’s 1968 Volkswagen Beetle – The Beetle that was integral in both of his murders and conviction, containing important DNA evidence, is on display for visitors to view. 

3. John Wayne Gacy’s clown suits- “Pogo” and “Patches” – The serial killer was arrested in 1978. He had confessed to killing 30 people. Despite him being a serial killer, he would dress up in clown suits to entertain children. 

4. Judy Buenoano’s last photograph and prison blanket – Convicted of murdering her husband and son, she was also suspected in several other deaths. 

5. Jeffrey Dahmer handcuffs– An American serial killer, he was convicted of the murder of 17 males, which included rape, dismemberment, and cannibalism. His handcuffs are on display at the museum for visitors to view.

  
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Nicaragua expects tourism to grow 10% over Easter

NICARAGUA is expecting a 10% year on year growth this Easter compared to the same period in 2017, according to new official statistics announced by the Nicaraguan Tourism Board (INTUR). 

87,894 people visited #Nicaragua during Easter Week in 2017, and 96,683 visitors are expected from 25-31 March 2018. International tourism left Nicaragua with revenues of some 700 million dollars in 2017, 9% during 2016, according to official figures. 

www.visitnicaragua.us

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Artichoke anyone?

AS the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival approaches, the Castroville community is excited to come together to support the local community with entertainment and artichoke education this summer. The festival will take place June 2-3, 2018 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and will continue the legacy of celebrating the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”

The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival began in 1959 and has since development become a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World”, dedicated to informing and exciting festival attendees about the unique qualities of artichokes including farming, harvest, and preparation to demonstrate how the artichoke industry has influenced the history of Monterey County. 

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Not just for grownups

WELLNESS and sustainability have always been integrated into every aspect of the guest experience at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. Now it’s time for the parents to step aside so the kids can gain useful life skills and knowledge too. Grow With #SixSenses is the group’s new framework for the kids programs which incorporate six dimensions of wellness into all activities for younger guests and the company’s approach to kids and #family wellness. 

Grow With Six Senses encourages younger guests to understand more about what’s going on inside them and in the world around them. The approach is to learn through natural play (after all, there is nothing less fun than when children are told, “this will be fun!”). It’s an adventure, and as they journey through each activity, they’ll get a new stamp for their personal Six Senses passport.

Programs vary from resort to resort, but introduce specifically designed physical activities, yoga and mindfulness, local culture, sustainability and social experiences. Activities at Six Senses Yao Noi include roselle harvesting and flying yoga, while at Six Senses Fiji, opening in April, kids can make their own snacks using a solar oven. Six Senses Laamu has a beautiful garden for salad foraging and offers junior Zumba and healthy cookie making.

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Celebrate the cultural heritage of Vietnam

HELD every other year since 2000, the Hue Festival is Vietnam's most ambitious cultural extravaganza. The festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Vietnam with ceremonies that illuminate the imperial splendors of #Vietnam, that trumpet the music of the country's most renowned pop musicians, that explore the charm of the country's traditional villages.

Artists from dozens of foreign countries will perform alongside traditional Vietnamese artists and include traditional musicians from Korea, lion dancers from Okinawa, folk dancers from Poland, contortionists from Mongolia, French rockers, Colombian drummers and a singer-songwriter from Israel among others.

About 250,000 visitors attended the 2016 Festival, increasing from the 192,500 who attended in 2014. Tickets range in price from 50,000 VND (US $2.50) to 2 million VND (US $100).





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Party for the Planet

DISNEY'S Animal Kingdom will mark its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, with more wild adventures than ever before.  Commemorating the milestone year, the 500-acre adventure park will offer animal encounters, family-friendly activities, specialty desserts and more during an expanded Party for the Planet celebration April 22-May 5.

Over the two-week “Party for the Planet” celebration, guests can attend conservation talks by animal-care experts and participate in enhanced interactions with some of the more than 2,000 animals that make their home at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited park.

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Mobile ticketing with Google Pay

THE Las Vegas Monorail Company announced the launch of virtual transit ticketing with the new Google Pay app for Android phones. The #Monorail now offers riders the ability to quickly and easily purchase fares online and use their phone at the fare gates for immediate transit access to everything along the #LasVegas Strip. 

It is the first transit system in the world to fully integrate their ticketing system with Google Pay using MIFARE contactless technology. With just a few clicks, Monorail customers can now purchase and save tickets using their credit and debit cards or PayPal account linked to Google Pay with the security of Google encryption. Once customers arrive at the Monorail station, they simply tap their phone on the fare gate and ride.

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Dual win for Swiss-Belhotel Seef

SWISS-BELHOTEL Seef was voted the winner of the ‘Best 4-Star Hotel’ and the ‘Best Hotel of the Year’ titles at the prestigious #Bahrain 2018 Food & Travel Awards held in the Kingdom last week. The award celebrates excellence in Bahrain’s hospitality industry and is only given to establishments that consistently deliver outstanding quality.

Located in Bahrain’s central business and commercial district only 20 minutes’ drive from Bahrain International Airport, Swiss-Belhotel Seef provides guests with superior facilities and standards of service. The hotel is fully equipped to meet the needs of modern business and leisure travellers

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Permission to fly

THOMAS COOK Airlines Balearics (TCAB) has yesterday evening been granted an AOC. This means that the new Spanish airline can formally operate as an airline. The AOC comes following months of preparatory work. The new Spanish airline will commence operations with five Airbus A320 aircraft during summer 2018.

The new airline, Thomas Cook Airlines #Balearics, is part of Thomas Cook Group Airlines’ growth plans, giving it a new base in its most popular destination from which it can provide flights to support its other airlines, according to seasonal demand.

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Ride with Rhinos

OL PEJETA Conservancy is a 90,000-acre (360 km2) not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Central #Kenya. The conservancy is now offering guests the opportunity to explore the 600 acre endangered species enclosure on #horseback. Confident riders can choose from a morning or afternoon 1 or 1.5 hour ride where you can get up close to some of the wildlife. Less experienced riders can opt for a 30-minute ride on the open plains close to the stables. 

Ol Pejeta was home to Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino who was recently put to sleep after age-related complications worsened significantly.The last 2 females, his daughter and grandaughter are still to be found at the conservancy.

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Paris, a green and eco-responsible destination

IN addition to its 460 public parks and gardens, #Paris has important ecological aspects that tourists can experience. Non-motorized and public modes of transport are favoured: the creation of bus lanes, the extension of the Paris tramway, the development of self-service bicycles and Autolib’, 16 highly-efficient metro lines — despite being over a century old.

The pedestrianization of the riverside expressways (Left Bank since 2013, Right Bank since September 2016) with the creation of the Parc Rives de Seine, and the redeveloped Place de la République also contribute to making the city greener and more dynamic. The Place de la Nation is soon to be redeveloped as well as the iconic Place de la Bastille, where the lower part of the Colonne de Juillet will be open to the public, from 2018. 

The Parisian hotel sector continues to be more committed to eco-responsible initiatives — more than 460 Parisian establishments have signed the Tourist Office’s Charter ‘For Sustainable Accommodation in Paris’, and the adoption of ecological labels continues to increase. 

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Up in the air: history made by Qantas

QANTAS' first Perth to London flight has taken off, marking the start of the only direct air link between #Australia and #Europe – and the fastest way of traveling between the two continents. 

The history-making QF9, carrying more than 200 passengers and 16 crew, pushed back just before 7pm on Saturday evening and will landed in London at 5am on Sunday. Operated by a Boeing 787-9, the flight reduces total travel time by eliminating stopovers and taking advantage of the most favourable winds on any given day without having to factor in a mid-point in the Middle East or Asia when choosing a flight path.

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Family fun at Brussels Expo

EXACTLY 60 years ago, some diminutive blue creatures appeared in the magazine “Spirou” drawn by Pierre Culliford known as Peyo. To celebrate this anniversary in fitting style, 2018 will be #Smurfs Year with, as the smurfing on the cake, the Smurf Experience, from 9 June at #Brussels Expo. 

The Smurf Experience is a unique opportunity to explore the magical universe of these little blue folks. Larger-than-life sets, spectacular effects and adventures create a unique experience to share with family and friends. 

An immersive, interactive, fun and educational exhibition where visitors enter through a giant comic strip and find themselves deep in the forest; they become smaller and smaller until they are the same size as a Smurf. Then they arrive in the legendary village where they learn about the life of the Smurfs through holograms and a 360° application. They then get to sip a magic elixir in King Smurf’s house and become “real Smurfs”.

After Brussels, “The Smurf Experience” will depart on a 5-year world tour.

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Four Seasons announces plans for luxury resort in Belize

SCHEDULED to open in 2021, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced plans for the development of Caye Chapel, a private island in #Belize featuring magnificent oceanfront estates, private residences and overwater bungalows. 

The 280-acre (113 hectare) island is outlined by 6 miles (9.7 kilometres) of white sand beaches and turquoise waters, and is located 16 miles (26 kilometres) from Belize City, either 30 minutes by boat or 10 minutes by flight. The island’s marina and airstrip can accommodate private boats and planes for easy access by owners and guests arriving from further afield. A destination in its own right, the island also acts as a convenient base to explore the nearby cultural and natural sites of mainland Belize and surrounding cayes.

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Best connected airport

HELSINKI Airport has been voted the Best Airport in Northern Europe by passengers in the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards. The results were announced at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Stockholm, Sweden on 21 March 2018.

#Helsinki Airport is the best connected airport in Northern Europe with 145 non-stop destinations all around the world by over 50 airlines. It is an important air traffic hub between Europe and Asia. In 2017, Helsinki Airport served 18.9 million passengers, which was 9.9% more than the year before. In 2018, the airport expects to reach the 20 million passengers milestone.

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Celebrate Ireland's Viking past this Easter

FROM the ancient Viking traces of Waterford city in Ireland’s Ancient East, to the foundations of medieval Dublin, #Ireland invites the world to celebrate its Viking past this Easter, with two wonderful events: the Viking Festival 2018, Waterford (31 March-April 2nd) and Dublin city’s Dublinia VikingFest 2018 (30 March-April 2nd).

Not sure how the #Vikings came to be part of this island’s legacy? Well, far from being just rampaging warriors, the Vikings also brought civilisation, founding many of Ireland’s towns and cities as time went on. It all started for Ireland in the late 8th Century, when the Vikings realised there were lands not far away that were richer in land, stock and provisions than their own. And so their journey overseas – and to Ireland – began.

These mighty Nordic warriors battled chieftains, forged alliances and settled into the history of Ireland’s rich heritage. And despite their terrifying arrival in Ireland, the Norsemen were settlers by inclination. The result, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Youghal, Arklow, Wicklow and Dublin all have Viking origins. Even place names give notice to their Nordic roots (Waterford ends with a variant of fjord).

The key event will be in both cities. Follow the Vikings, a live outdoor spectacle involving film, dance, live animation and battle reenactment takes place at both events. Save the dates for live action on Saturday 31 March at the historic Wood Quay amphitheatre in Dublin, and in Waterford’s Apple Market on Easter Monday 2 April.



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Smurfed in Belgium

SMURFS in the sky... On 24 March, Brussels Airlines will present its fifth iconic aircraft in the colours of Belgium and the #Smurfs our little blue friends will feature on the fuselage of a Brussels Airlines Airbus A320. 

SMURFS in the city!  . . . On 17 May, a Smurf fresco will be unveiled near the Central Station.

www.smurfexperience.com

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Sydney Airport wins Skytrax global airport award

SYDNEY Airport has been voted the top airport in the Australia/Pacific region by customers participating in one of the largest global customer satisfaction surveys. The airport was recognised at this week’s Skytrax World Airport Awards in Stockholm. Skytrax notes that its World Airport Awards assess customer service and facilities across 550 airports and are based on more than 13.7 million survey questionnaires completed by travellers of more than 100 nationalities.

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Only in LA . . .

THE Museum of Selfies (Glendale) – Open for a limited time in Los Angeles, The Museum of Selfies is an interactive museum that explores the history and cultural phenomenon of the selfie - an image of oneself taken by oneself - with historical roots dating back 40,000 years to the first depiction of human art. 

From cavemen drawings to a "Narcissist" installation to a vertigo-inducing rooftop selfie illusion, the museum touches on a variety of points in human history that examines the intention of the selfie and what it means to the artist and its viewers. The interactive exhibit will allow visitors to create art of their own through the lens of history, art, and immersive vignettes. 

The exhibition will be open for a limited run from April 1 – May 31, 2018. 

www.themuseumofselfies.com

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Up in the air . . .

IN the 2018/19 winter flight schedule, Lufthansa will be offering the connections from Frankfurt to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) as two separate flights. 

Until now, the only connection from Frankfurt to Addis Ababa involved a time-consuming stop-over in Jeddah. 

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Record numbers blow into the windy city in 2017

VISITORS to the city of #Chicago in 2017 reached 55.2 million – a new record and 2.5 percent increase over the previous year. The increase of 1.4 million reaches the Mayor’s ambitious goal of 55 million visitors annually – two years early.

2017 marked another major increase in leisure visitors to the city as Chicago hotels reported an overall annual increase of 6.3 percent. This increase of the leisure segment was particularly strong in the key summer months as hotels reported an increase of 7.4 percent during the four-month period June through September – more than double the growth of the previous summer. Overall, Chicago hotel demand in terms of rooms occupied grew 3.3 percent in 2017.

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Dine out down under the stars

AUSTRALIA'S first under-the-stars dining experience, the iconic Sounds of Silence, celebrated an incredible 25 years of operation this year, with a gala celebration held on 21 March 2018. Upon opening its ‘doors’ in 1993, guests from all over the world immediately embraced the concept of dining in the middle of the Australian desert with magnificent views of #Uluru and nothing but the vast expanse of the night sky above and the experience has wowed guests every night since. 

With the magic of sunset over Uluru combined with the drama of being surrounded in red dunes and, as night falls, the majesty of the night sky with thousands of stars, many of which are not able to be viewed elsewhere in the world, it is an unforgettable evening. With such a winning formula, the #experience has remained largely unchanged throughout the last 25 years – guests still arrive to the lyrical sound of the Didgeridoo and enjoy sparkling wine and canapes while viewing sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta, a star talk during dinner brings the night sky to life and telescopes are available for closer viewing. 

www.ayersrockresort.com.au/experiences/detail/sounds-of-silence   


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Float down the aisle

WHY walk down the aisle when you can float? In its latest upgrade following completion of a two-year renovation, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay has launched new ocean-view water weddings including Bali’s longest overwater aisle, measuring 57 metres, or 187 feet.

The floating venues – launched as part of a new Ultimate Water Wedding Experience – maximise the Resort’s unrivalled views and exotic ambience. Located in a quiet corner of Jimbaran Bay, the all-villa beach retreat blends traditional Balinese architecture with chic sophistication and 14 hectares (35 acres) of tropical gardens cascading down to the turquoise ocean.

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On the water . . .

WITH coral reefs facing increasing challenges from global warming, overfishing and ocean acidification, eight countries formed the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in 1995. As conditions continue to decline, more than 60 countries as well as the United Nations have joined the initiative and named 2018 the Year of the Reef.

A recently released report on the chemicals in sunscreens and their impact on coral reefs worldwide, documenting damage, calling for further research and promoting a “precautionary approach” to dealing with the issue. Chemicals found in sunscreens, particularly oxybenzone and related compounds, have reached potentially lethal levels for the most vulnerable juvenile coral larva in the world’s most popular dive locations.

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Dinosaur adventure off the beaten track

PHU WIANG National Park is like many other dinosaur-related travel sites around #Thailand. It is weird, wonderful and wacky, located well and truly off-the-beaten track, or the so-called ‘tourist trail’, and is hundreds of miles away from Bangkok, in Thailand’s Northeast region of Isan. 

All around Isan, visitors are most likely to find huge #dinosaur statues towering over a park, at a zoo or alongside a temple. Dinosaurs eve decorate the tops of some public lamp posts as a shout out to the region’s big lizardry claim to fame. 

Khon Kaen province is famous for dinosaurs, and this yarn is all about travelling to the heart of dinosaur country in the Phu Wiang mountains where several important paleontological discoveries were made, including two previously unknown species: ‘Phuwiangosaurus Sirindhornae’, a 15-metre (49 feet) long sauropod named after Thailand’s beloved Princess, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and ‘Siamotyrannus Isanensis’, an ancestor of Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) named after Thailand and Isan.

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On the rails . . .

VIRGIN Trains has named one of its trains after one of Scotland’s most famous cultural icons in celebration of its role in serving #Glasgow.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Express will depart Scotland’s biggest city today (Monday, March 19) in support of Mackintosh 150, a year-long programme of events throughout 2018 celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Glasgow’s renowned artist, architect and designer.

The 390008 Pendolino train is adorned with Mackintosh’s trademark moustache on the front and his name displayed in his own lettering on plaques on either side.

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Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars to join Disneyland Paris

ANNOUNCED recently were plans for a 2 billion euro, multi-year expansion for Disneyland Paris. The new development will include a transformation of the Walt Disney Studios Park, adding three new areas that are based on Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars, along with multiple new attractions and live entertainment experiences.

The expansion plan is one of the most ambitious development projects at Disneyland Paris since its opening in 1992 and underscores the Company’s commitment to the long-term success of the resort as Disney’s brand beacon in Europe.

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G'day mate

TOURISM Australia has launched a new campaign in the UK introducing some of the 24 million friendly Australian locals who are all potential mates just waiting to share their inside knowledge with British visitors.

The campaign features engaging videos and user-generated content on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as well as Australia.com alongside a media partnership with The Telegraph.

Some of the #24MillionMates introduced so far include: Ben from South Australia; Brian from Western Australia; Janine from Victoria; Penny from New South Wales; Marcus from the Northern Territory; and Madison from Queensland.

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Tunisia continues its comeback

#TUNISIA continues its comeback, recording strong growth at the world’s leading tourism group TUI, in particular from the German-speaking markets and France. Moreover, the country is among the destinations with the highest customer satisfaction levels. TUI Blue, TUI Group’s new lifestyle hotel brand, has now opened its first hotel in #Djerba and provides authentic holiday experiences in the island.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
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Water way to relax

HOTEL barge cruising specialist European Waterways announced the completion of its recent upgrade and refurbishing program across the company's fleet as it prepares to launch its 2018 season.

Hotel Barging is a boutique, unique experience which offers an immersive, all inclusive "gentle voyage of discovery" that focuses upon the culture, history, fine wine and gourmet cuisine of the region. 

With a 6 to 20 person capacity and 1:2 crew to guest ratio, European Waterways are able to provide an impeccable level of on board service and can transport their guests on the intimate inland waterways that are inaccessible to larger vessels. This fascinating network of smaller canals allows for flexibility, spontaneity and ample opportunity to hop off and explore the beautiful surroundings via bicycle or on foot. 

In addition to this there are daily chauffeured excursions "off the beaten track" to a wide variety of enthralling locations, from exquisite wine tastings to private tours of stately homes. With over 40 years' experience and a fleet that spans nine countries it is the largest luxury hotel #barging company in #Europe.

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