Lanzhou City on the big screen

A video exhibiting the charming culture of Lanzhou City will be broadcast on the mega screen of the "Crossroads of the World" -- New York Times Square. The video is produced by the News Office of Lanzhou City Government, and is titled "Golden Lanzhou, the City of the Yellow River". 

#LanzhouCity is proud to share the city's image and culture with the world at this very special time, when the People's Republic of China celebrates its 70th anniversary and embarks on its path to pursue new achievements and communicate more with the world for peace and hope. Following its nation's footsteps, Lanzhou City is trying its best to protect Oriental culture as well as develop itself.


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For the Culture Vulture

CULTURE Attractions of Australia will provide a single point of contact for travellers, trade partners and media to access premium, behind-the-scenes cultural experiences in iconic locations. 

As a collective, its strength lies in the diversity and iconic nature of the sites and collections represented, as well as the direct connection they hold with the people and cultures of #Australia. 

The founding members of Cultural Attractions of Australia are Adelaide Oval, Arts Centre Melbourne, Australian War Memorial, WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle Prison, Melbourne Cricket Ground, MONA, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Opera Australia, Parliament House, Port Arthur Historic Site, Qantas Founders Museum Longreach, Sovereign Hill and Sydney Opera House. 

Each of these institutions has developed one or more rare, premium experiences, ensuring unrivalled access and attention for their guests who can expect the unexpected.  

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History Creates Tourism

WORLD Tourism Day 2019 will be celebrated on September 27 and Cambodia and Djibouti have won the honor to be global examples in the tourism and cultural world for 2019, according to a string of key decisions for tourism and culture future in 2019 taken by the global tourism institutions.

Phnom Penh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia and Djibouti city, the capital of The Republic of Djibouti were selected as the official model cities for World Tourism Day celebrations and official hosts of global tourism events.

Both Djibouti and Phnom Penh where in previous years selected as World`s Capital of Culture and Tourism and globally recognized as centers of heritage, tourism and culture.

The  theme was decided to be History and Tourism: A symbiotic relationship!, destined not only to enliven tourism during 2019, but also to emphasize that tourism is inextricably linked with historical legacy.

History is the main attraction that is creating tourism demand and visitors expectation is linked with the existence of historical and cultural heritage.



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Return to Islamabad

BRITISH Airways has today announced that it will fly from Heathrow to Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, from June 2nd next year.  

It is the first time the carrier has flown to #Pakistan in more than a decade.  The airline stopped flying to the country after the Marriott hotel in the capital, #Islamabad, was bombed in 2008, killing more than 50 people.

It is a hub for culture with a rich heritage and has an impressive collection of museums, markets, mosques and hiking trails, as well as restaurants which serve a variety of cuisines from local Pakistani dishes to food from around the world.

The airline has a long history of flying to the city and offered its first scheduled flights between London and the Pakistani capital in 1976.  Islamabad is one of four long-haul routes being launched by British Airways in 2019, its centenary year.


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Illuminating The Palm Beaches

THE Palm Beaches is a collection of 39 cities and towns stretching from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta, with 47 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches and sophisticated art and culture. The destination has more than 200 cultural organizations that produce 42,000 events, exhibitions and performances annually.

This holiday season, travelers looking to ditch the cold for a sunny, culture-filled getaway are headed to Florida's Cultural Capital to experience an incredible selection of cultural programming for all ages and interests. A sampling of holiday happenings in the Palm Beaches includes:

Handel's Messiah – The Benjamin School (Palm Beach Gardens)
On Friday, December 14, celebrate the holidays with Masterworks Chorus of The Palm Beaches' presentation of G.F. Handel's Messiah. Tickets are $25/person; $10/students.

Garden of Lights – Mounts Botanical Garden (West Palm Beach)
Through Sunday, December 30, visitors of Mounts Botanical Garden can gaze in awe as thousands of lights illuminate garden areas, with live dance performances and musical presentations will be held on select nights. The garden is open daily from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and tickets are available online or at the gate.

Photos with Santa – Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society (West Palm Beach)
Jolly old Saint Nick takes time out of his busy schedule to spend quality time with visitors at the zoo through Saturday, December 22.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical – Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (West Palm Beach)  The 'Most Famous Reindeer of All' comes to life on Sunday, December 23 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Families can enjoy all of their favorite characters as the beloved classic soars onto the stage for two performances on Sunday. Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase online and at the venue.

A Very Jewish Concert on Christmas Day – Adolph and Rose Levis Jewish Community Center (Boca Raton) Led by Aaron Kula and featuring the sounds of Klezmer, Yiddish, Israeli and Chassidic music from Second Avenue and beyond, the renowned Klezmer Company Orchestra will perform on Tuesday, December 25 at 3 p.m.


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Surprising and Inspiring Travel

THE publication of National Geographic Traveler magazines annual Best Trips issue, reveals its 28 must-see destinations and travel experiences for 2019. Together, Traveler editors and National Geographic Explorers have selected their top places to travel across four categories: Cities, Nature, Culture, and Adventure.

The year's Best Trips list is relevant, surprising and inspiring, highlighting a globe-spanning mix of destinations from the Peruvian Amazon to Kansas City, Missouri.

National Geographic's Best Trips destinations for 2019 are:

CITIES

Dakar, Senegal
Salvador, Brazil
Kansas City, Missouri
Toronto, Canada
Matera, Italy
Perth, Australia
Mexico City, Mexico

NATURE

Peruvian Amazon
Montenegro
Belize
Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique
South Walton County, Florida
Fanjingshan, China
Tahiti, French Polynesia

CULTURE

Cairo, Egypt
Hoang Lien Son, Vietnam
Galway, Ireland
Bauhaus Trail, Germany
Oakland, California
Vervey, Switzerland
Dordogne, France

ADVENTURE

Greenland
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico
Isla de los Estados, Argentina
Macedonia
Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Caño Cristales River, Colombia
Oman

The December/January 2019 issue of Traveler magazine, is now available on newsstands and online at NatGeoTravel.com/BestTrips2019.


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Must visit, Moscow

EVERY year the number of tourists visiting Moscow grows significantly. In 2017 21.6 millions of tourists visited #Moscow, by the end of 2018 the growth of the tourist flow is expected to increase by at least 10%. 

Moscow is the biggest cultural center of the world. Every year more than 500 recreational and cultural events take place and there are more than 270 functioning museums and 170 functioning theaters in the city. One third of the Moscow territory is covered by park areas. In 2017 a new park “Zaradye” was opened in the very center of the capital, it was included by the “Times” magazine in the list of the best places in the world 2018.

Today there are 1586 classified accommodation facilities in Moscow from hotels to hostels. The transport infrastructure is widely developed and there is Wi-Fi in public places. The city pays considerable attention to safety measures – there are more than 184 000 surveillance cameras around the city.

There is even a special service PASSCITY in Moscow, which lets you visit museums, restaurants, sport centers and use the public transport for free.

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Cruise to the city of Three-Frontiers

CONSTRUCTION of the new La Jangada catamaran began In April 2018. The 12 and 13-day adventure itineraries expect to be operational by April 2019 and will cruise through Brazil, Peru and Colombia. 

 La Jangada, which means The Raft in Portugese will have 12 luxurious and spacious cabins on board, each with a private bathroom and large windows that look out on to the river. This cruise is the only luxury tourist catamaran operating in the Amazon region. 

Cruise from Manaus, Brazil to Tefe, Brazil or from Manaus, Brazil to Leticia, Colombia. Leticia is also known as the city of Three-Frontiers, as it borders Brazil, Peru and Colombia.

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A small country with a huge heart

A small country with a huge past, Cambodia, a popular holiday destination among travellers from the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK, has seen growth double through the years offering tour operators the opportunity to market their own specially crafted vacation packages. Vietnamese Private Tours offers its own tours and trip deals in 2019 taking advantage of the growing number of travellers to the region.

Its rich history is challenging, enchanting and ever present. Voted the world‘s friendliest nation, the Cambodian people smile their way throughout the day. Its blossoming art scene and funky bars and restaurants contrast nicely with its ancient temples and colonial decay plus its throbbing cities and island beaches are the perfect place to relax and play.

#Cambodia is warm to hot year round with a rainy season between June and October. Don’t be too put off by the term ‘rainy’ though. It’s actually a great time of the year to visit. The temperature is a little cooler and the land lush green. Most of the downpours are in the afternoon or at night and they only last for a couple hours or so making them easy to plan around.

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European Capital of Smart Tourism nominees

A new EU initiative aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, foster innovative, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices. The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity, by European cities as tourism destinations.

The following cities have been shortlisted as finalists in the competition for the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2019 are:

Brussels (Belgium), Helsinki (Finland), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Lyon (France), Málaga (Spain), Nantes (France), Palma (Spain), Poznań (Poland), Tallinn (Estonia), and Valencia (Spain).


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Puerto Vallerta's center now a protected area

PUERTO Vallarta's Historic Centeris now a protected Cultural Heritage of the Mexican State of Jalisco. The declaration was made by the state's Department of Culture on July 21 via the official journal of Jalisco and makes the center of the city a protected area, with all the rights and privileges of a heritage protected by state and federal laws.

The recognition includes the area from the beginning of the Malecon - where the oldest hotel in Puerto Vallarta, the hotel Rosita, stands - and continues to the cobblestoned Romantic Zone and up to the historic Conchas Chinas neighborhoods. Each area is of special historical significance to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and Mexico, as well as the essence of the port city, which is in the midst of celebrating its centennial.


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Picture Credit: By Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada - Facade of Hotel Rosita with Pelicans - Puerto Vallarta - Jalisco - Mexico, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64119845

San Antonio celebrates like no other

WHEN it comes to Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, there's no place in the United States that observes this traditionally Mexican holiday quite like San Antonio. This year, as the city celebrates its Tricentennial anniversary, there will be more than 20 unique events from October 20 through November 3 -- more than any other city in Texas, and likely any other city in the country. 

Mexican roots run deep in San Antonio (which is a previous colonial capital of New Spain and state capital of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas). The city is a three-hour drive from the U.S.-Mexico border, and more than 60 percent of the city's population is of Mexican descent. This cultural heritage is evident through San Antonio'sunwavering celebratory spirit -- the city hosts a seemingly endless roster of festivals and events each year, including the 10-day-long Fiesta San Antonio in April -- and also is distinctly felt when it comes to Día de Los Muertos.

This year's events run the gamut, from small gatherings with traditional altars and face painting to multiple-day festivals featuring live music, stilt walkers, Mexican cuisine and festive parades. In addition to official celebrations, restaurants and cafes across San Antonio will showcase altars, customary décor and fresh-baked pan de muerto, a popular type of sweet bread that is also used as an offering to loved ones who have passed. This collective spirit offers an unforgettable way to experience the city, as well as to gain insight into this unique, historic holiday which views death with lightness and humor rather than fear. Most events are family friendly, allowing children to learn about the rich traditions of the holiday, helping it continue for generations to come.


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Joburg makes TripAdvisors list of Top 10 Destinations in Africa

JOHANNESBURG has made TripAdvisor’s top ten list in the Travelers’ Choice Awards for Best Destinations in Africa.

Joburg’s 2018 TripAdvisor citation reads as follows: “#Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounters and visits to historical sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy dinner at a hip café or five-star restaurant. And if you’re a shopper, bring an extra, empty suitcase. With malls, open air markets and places that blend the two, you’ll find plenty of unique souvenirs.”


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Picture Credit: By Dylan Harbour - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16658161

Most annoying travel habits

WITH the summer holiday season in full swing, Agoda, one of the fastest growing online travel agents (OTA), has been asking travelers what they think are the most annoying travel habits. 

Noisy travelers (57%), travelers glued to their devices (47%), and those insensitive to cultural nuances (46%) topped the most annoying habits of fellow travelers according to Agoda's global 'Annoying Travel Habits' survey. Mass tour groups and selfie-takers, cited by 36% and 21% respectively, completed the top five irritants.




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Barcelona by bicycle

A surprising electric bike journey will bring you through famous sites and hidden treasures of the Old Town, the Fishermen Port and the Montjuic Hill to discover the strong relationship between #Barcelona and the Sea.

The tour, offered by BikeSquare in collaboration with E-bike Rent Barcelona, will bring you through the Gothic city centre, to admire the Roman ruins of the ancient Barcino, then to the charming medieval district of El Born, where you can enjoy the marvellous Santa Maria del Mar Church (the “Cathedral of the Sea”), the narrow streets and the cosy atmosphere.  Here you'll have a chance to taste the famous pintxos, the typical tapas of the Basque Country, famous for its exceptional gastronomy and wine.

Then a ride along the Port Vell to escape the crowds at Montjuic Hill, while exploring the Olympic stadium and the Olympic Swimming pool, enjoying spectacular views of the whole city.  On the way down stop in front of one of the most emblematic symbols of Barcelona, the Columbus Statue and then cross the “Rambla del Mar” bridge and on the other side a Turkish Goleta will be waiting. 

ebike.bikesquare.eu/en/barcelona



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Picture Credit: By Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org 52837569

Number One city in Mexico is . . .

SAN Miguel de Allende, Mexico has been named the #1 top city, overall, for the second year in a row in the 2018 “Travel + Leisure” World’s Best Awards, which honor the top travel destinations and companies around the globe as rated by the magazine’s readers. The World’s Best Awards appear in the August 2018 issue of “Travel + Leisure,” on sale July 27 and online at this link: https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best. The city was also named #1 in #Mexico.

The World Heritage site city is one of only three cities that have taken the top honors two years in a row. In the past, Kyoto and Sydney also have been ranked #1 twice sequentially.  San Miguel de Allende is known as the “Heart of Mexico” thanks to not only a central location, but also its rich history and continuous embrace of Mexican culture. Mexico’s independence movement was born in San Miguel de Allende and, in the 1960s, it became one of the country’s top colonial-era destinations when its perfect natural lighting, architecture and greenery began attracting foreign expats.

Today, San Miguel de Allende boasts more than 80 hotels - two of them Virtuoso members and one a Design Hotel, plus 30 boutique properties - around 70 international or Mexican restaurants, three golf courses, and several spas and art galleries.

The best way to see San Miguel de Allende is walking its streets and getting lost in its cobbled alleyways. Visitors will find a wonderland of colorful homes, stately mansions, balconies, doors and people. In the city’s surroundings, visitors can enjoy the natural heritage of the destination by bathing in hot springs, strolling vineyards, riding in hot-air balloons or getting their adrenaline pumping with an ATV ride.

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Picture Credit: supernova.gdl.mx 16871926@N00/17108128289 Bicentenario en San Miguel via photopin

Can I help you?

FOLLOWING the successful Chinese Shopping Assistant Project in Terminal 2 and the excellent results of the pilot project for Arabian guests in 2017, Munich Airport is ready to offer the “Arabic Shopping Assistant Service” again this summer from July 16 until September 2, 2018. 

For the first time this special service will also be available to Japanese passengers. Japanese passengers in Terminal 2 can request the help of a personal shopping assistant. The assistants, who are native speakers, will be available daily from 1:00 PM to 8:30 PM to help overcome the cultural and language barriers between passengers and sales staff. This service, which is free of charge for passengers, is intended to create a pleasant and convenient shopping experience. 

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Egypt sees increase in foreign visitors

RENOWNED for its rich culture and history dating back 4,000 years of Pharaoh and Pyramids, #Egypt also has a lot more to offer - a paradise on earth and magic of Egypt Western Desert.  According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the country has received at least 730,000 tourists in February 2018, achieving a 35 percent increase compared to the same month last year.

Egypt Western Desert Tours has seen an increase of foreign visitors group tours for eco-tourism from the UK, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe along with new markets from Asia; South Korea, China, and Malaysia. 

According to the latest Oxford Business Group (OBG)’s, the positive outlook for Egypt’s tourism was backed by the increase in visitors by 54% in 2017 to 8.3 millionGroup travel jumped 66.5%, indicating resurgent interest from package tour operators, and the January-February period saw a 39% year-over-year increase in the number of tourists from the UK - another traditional source of arrivals.


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Ireland by car

ONE of the industry’s first global car rental companies Auto Europe, reveals the top 5 destinations in #Ireland for North American tourists exploring by car.

Killarney - A storied stop along the scenic Ring of Kerry Tour, Killarney offers travelers a chance to experience authentic Ireland. The city and surrounding country are the complete embodiment of mythical Ireland: a Celtic kingdom of misty mountains and snowcapped summits complete with a vibrant nightlife scene and customary Irish flair.

Nestled along the Wild Atlantic Way, Galway is the perfect destination to start a tour of Ireland’s west coast and see world-famous natural attractions as well as the country’s most significant historic sites. While in town, be sure to walk the Salmon Weir Bridge to watch the fishermen haul in their daily catch.

Referred to as the ‘real capital of Ireland’ by the locals, Cork is home to some of the best seafood restaurants, pubs, and breweries. Of course, no trip to Cork would be complete without a quick trip to the famous Blarney Stone, just one of the 7 best historic places in Ireland within driving distance.

Shannon’s close proximity to many of Ireland’s most significant attractions makes the city a hot spot for travelers. Visitors can easily visit the stunning Cliff’s of Moher which are only an hour’s drive from the city and King John’s Castle, just a quick jaunt from Shannon, all in one day.

The Historic City of Dublin is a UNESCO world heritage site – meaning that in addition to the fantastic pubs, restaurants, and museums available in the city, the city itself is a landmark of historic interest. It’s also home to the Guinness Storehouse making it the perfect place to start a beer tour of Ireland.


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More than cocktails and a sun lounger

TODAY'S travelers want to bring home more than tan lines and souvenirs. They aspire to achieve personal enrichment through life-changing experiences that create a shift in perspectives—of the world and the self. Enter transformational travel, the key to meaningful interactions, immersive encounters and genuine communion with nature and culture.

Set between Nicaragua and Panama, #CostaRica offers visitors an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climates -- meaning a trip to this Central American country is anything but run-of-the-mill. The country proudly shelters approximately five percent of the known biodiversity in the world and has become a global leader in sustainable practices. Visitors to Costa Rica enjoy a highly organized tourism infrastructure offering a broad terrain of activities and accommodations.

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