More options for British Airways passengers travelling to and from Moscow

BRITISH Airways has launched a flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO). Now, British Airways flights are even more convenient for passengers who live in Russia wish to get to the center of Moscow as quickly as possible on arrival.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is located 29 km northwest of central Moscow. British Airways' timetable gives fliers the option of taking an early morning, mid-morning or overnight flight from Terminal 5 to the Russian capital. The new Sheremetyevo flight will be operated by an Airbus 321.

British Airways has major plans. The company is already investing £4.5 billion to improve service and flight quality for customers. This includes the installation of the latest generation in-flight Wi-Fi as well as power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline is also investing £600 million specifically in Club World (long-haul business class), including outstanding catering at an altitude of 11,500 meters, and providing the best conditions for sleeping onboard the airline's planes.
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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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Explore the Russian Far East

ACCOMMODATING just 200 guests, Crystal Endeavor, the world’s largest, most spacious purpose-built polar class expedition yacht, will set sail from Tokyo in August 2020 on a journey encompassing the far east of Russia and Japan to mark her maiden voyage. 

The territory Crystal Endeavor will cover during this 17-day voyage is dramatic and far from the beaten path – from the rarely explored Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands (places favoured by whales, otters, seals, bears and foxes) to the glorious hot springs in the Valley of Geysers, to the natural paradise along Japan’s northern shores and the volcanic peaks of Mt Rishiri.

Crystal Endeavor itineraries will go on sale Thursday, 23 August 2018.


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Until we meet again Moscow

 SHEREMETYEVO International Airport has bid farewell to the players and fans of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. For the past month, Sheremetyevo International Airport witnessed about 33 800 takeoff and landing operations and 4.7 million passengers. The growth was due to the growing demand for air travel during summer holiday season as well as football fans from all over the world, who visited #Moscow and took part in the most anticipated sporting event of the year.

The new Terminal B and the tunnel connecting Sheremtyevo-1 and Sheremetyevo-2 were constructed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and are part of the Long-Term Development Plan. This plan ensures that Sheremetyevo will increase its capacity to 80 million passengers per year by 2026, making it one of the top 10 largest passenger hubs in the world. The success of the World Cup demonstrates that the Long-Term Development Plan is on pace to meet that target.

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Score a break from the madness

ARE you among those who would rather catch the flu than watch a game of football? No need to go to such drastic measures come June 14 when the 2018 World Cup kicks off in Russia. Agoda has some suggestions on where to escape the football madness.

Head to the South Pacific island of Palau where abundant marine life, volcanos and epic waterfalls are the main attractions. Palau also wins bonus points for not having national football team. Check out the Palau Royal Resort for beach views and vibes.

You'll likely meet more surfing fiends than football fans in Baler, also known as the 'birthplace of surfing in the Philippines'. Home to sandy beaches and epic waves, plus scenic winding mountain roads and hiking excursions, this island won't get a 'red card' from you. Bright and breezy Costa Pacifica Resort on Sabang Beach is the ideal base camp.

The North West Cape in Western Australia is home to the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef, where you'll encounter exotic wildlife that don't care about 'games of two halves'. Sal Salis, an exclusive safari camp surrounded by only bush and beach, makes an ideal base camp for exploring the area.

Renowned for its cricket, rather than football, enjoy the gentle pace and laidback streets of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There'll be no penalties for shopping on this trip. Fort Square Boutique Villa, which is conveniently located in Galle's city center, is worth a visit.

Your own private island - Pangkor Laut Resort is made up of 140 villas and 8 estates on privately-owned 300-acre island, offering complete privacy amidst gorgeous ocean views.

For a truly 'off the grid' experience, head to the Raja Ampat, where the lack of internet and Wi-Fi mean you will easily lose track what day it is, let alone whether the football is still on. At the Waiwo Dive Resort, you can kick back and relax with massages and yoga classes.


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Where Old meets New

THE Tokyo Metropolitan Government is holding a campaign to promote Tokyo's charms overseas and also in a broad scope in Russia using the logo and slogan "Tokyo Tokyo Old meets New." 

The key messages -- "Unparalleled Excitement" and "Your Next Kick" -- have appeared at airports and on trains as well as various media outlets such as newspapers and magazines since June 1, 2018, as part of this full-scale promotional campaign. 

Along with promoting Tokyo's charms effectively to travelers around the world, it is spreading the image of #Tokyo as a tourist #destination worldwide.

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Pop-Up BASE Dubai in Mosow

DUBAI'S leading home-grown superclub, BASE Dubai has revolutionized the Middle East's nightlife scene. This June, it will bring its incredible event line-up and luxury service to Moscow, Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The exclusive pop-up is the first dedicated nightclub to open specifically for the sporting event and promises to become a world-class late-night spot for the rich and famous.

Bringing state of the art production from Dubai to Moscow, BASE combines cutting-edge entertainment, art & live performances to create extravagant events. The opulent pop-up will launch on June 14 with American R&B star, Jason Derulo. Scheduled to open the official ceremony with his single 'Colors', written specifically for the tournament, Derulo will kick-start the BASE Moscow line-up with an intimate live performance.

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500,000 FAN ID cards issued ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

DEVELOPED by the Russian Federation especially for the 2018 FIFA World Cup FAN ID is a personalized spectator's card. Issued free of charge once for all of the tournament matches, every spectator who has purchased a match ticket must get a FAN ID. In combination with a match ticket, a FAN ID will ensure fast and convenient access to the stadium and also entitles spectators to free travel on additional trains connecting the 2018 FIFA World Cup host cities and on public transportation of the host cities on match days.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can enter Russia visa-free with a FAN ID during the period starting 10 days before the date of the first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and ending on the date of the last match. Therefore, entry into Russia with a FAN ID is possible starting from 4 June through 15 July 2018. The FAN ID holders must leave the country no later than 25 July 2018.

Fill in an application form at http://www.fan-id.ru/ or register at one of the FAN ID Distribution Centers located in Russia.

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Up in the air . . .

FINNAIR is to add 100 plus weekly flights for 2018/19 European Winter. Finnair will continue to grow its operations during the 2018/19 European Winter season with additional capacity on existing routes in Lapland, Russia and the Baltic countries. 

Finnair General Manager – Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said Finnair would serve both Kittilä and Ivalo, in Finnish Lapland, with additional daily non-stop flights over the European Winter. Mr Stone said schedules for flights to Lapland airports were being aligned for more convenient connections and increased options for customers.

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Qatar Airways continues expansion in Europe and Russia

QATAR Airways has announced that it will increase daily frequencies to the Scandinavian capitals of Stockholm and Oslo, alongside the Italian cities of Milan and Rome. Due to an increase in demand to key European destinations, especially from the Asia Pacific region, flights to Rome, Milan and Stockholm will increase to 17 per week from Doha’s Hamad International Airport, while flights to Oslo are set to increase from seven to 10 frequencies per week.

The award-winning airline has also announced that double daily flights to the Russian capital Moscow will increase to three times daily from 14 December, just five days before Qatar Airways’ inaugural daily flight to the Russian city of St. Petersburg. 

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Whats hot for 2018 from Abercrombie & Kent

WANT to know what’s hot in the world of travel? Just ask the experts at Abercrombie & Kent who have put together their Hot List for 2018. It’s the definitive go-to inventory for discerning travellers who want to stay ahead of the game and rack up new experiences. Whether it’s a wildlife-focused adventure, an off the beaten track discovery, cultural engagement or a must-see natural phenomenon, there’s a journey to suit.

Argentina Home of the tango and engrained with a deep-seated Latin vibe, Argentina is richly romantic and hauntingly beautiful. Its landscapes are vast and its beef world famous. The gaucho culture is an integral part of the estancia experience and the cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires, is European sophistication with more than a dash of Latin zeal.

Bedouin camping in Morocco Channel your inner Lawrence of Arabia when bedding down in A&K’s unique Bedouin camp which is set up exclusively for guests in the Erg Chebbi sand dunes near Erfoud on the edge of the Sahara.

Georgia It’s a little known fact that Georgia was one of the first countries to adopt Christianity and, as a result, this former Soviet Republic boasts some magnificent Orthodox churches in the most unexpected locations, many of them dating from the 10th and 11th centuries.

Helena Bay, New Zealand Three kilometres of pristine coastline, four private beaches and your choice of secluded coves, that’s what awaits at Helena Bay, New Zealand’s newest addition to the luxury lodge scene.

Istrian Peninsula Shared by Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, the Istrian Peninsula is a stunning coastal area in the northern Adriatic littered with medieval walled cities, Roman monuments and atmospheric tavernas.

Norway With year-round appeal, Norway is one of those magical destinations with endless natural attractions and a rich heritage. It is achingly beautiful in any season and in summer and spring, one of the best things to do is take a drive along the Atlantic Road, one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes. Oslo is jam-packed with museums and galleries as well as great restaurants dishing up fine Nordic cuisine.

Portugal Thanks to its incredible diversity and the hospitality of its people and their lifestyle, Portugal is entirely entrancing. It has a rich design heritage, ancient walled towns and mountaintop palaces, it also has magical Mediterranean landscapes, delicious food, earthy wines and is one of Europe’s sunniest spots.

Rwanda One of the most outstanding wildlife experiences open to adventurous travellers is gorilla tracking and Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans is one of the best places to do it. Once on the brink of extinction, the mountain gorillas of Rwanda have increased in number thanks to the conservation work begun by Dian Fossey. 

Sri Lanka With a raft of new hotel openings, Sri Lanka is hotter than ever. Its compact size belies the wealth of its fascinating ruins and it lays claim to no less than seven World Heritage sites dotted throughout the country.

West Africa Properly off the beaten track, the West African countries of Ghana, Togo and Benin are steeped in mystery. Voodoo is still practiced widely and attending a trance dance conducted by a village witch doctor is one of the most memorable experiences a traveller can have there. Voodoo markets are full of magic charms and ancestor worship is commonplace. Ghana’s art scene is flourishing too with its flamboyant fantasy coffins exhibited in museums the world over and a thriving textile industry producing the brightly coloured wax printed fabrics widely admired in European fashion houses.



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On the runway . . .

ST. PETERSBURG is the jewel in the Russian ‘crown’, and home to the country’s incredible art collections, legendary Hermitage Museum, and internationally-recognised historic buildings. With its elegant canals and rich Imperial history to explore, St. Petersburg is sure to be an unmissable destination for both visitors and business travellers alike, thanks to its dynamic and growing economy. 

Qatar Airways is pleased to announce it will launch flights to the cultural capital of #Russia, St. Petersburg, later this year, doubling the Russian routes operated by the five-star carrier. The new daily service, which starts on December 19, will operate between Doha and St. Petersburg with an Airbus A320, offering 12 flatbed seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class.

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Accessible trains in Russia

THE Federal Passenger Company, a subsidiary of OJSC Russian Railways, has equipped more than 1,400 carriages on 47 branded and international and 7 express trains with removable gangways.

The removable gangways are very strong and have been installed to improve passenger safety and convenience when boarding train from the platform.

These gangways will allow passengers carrying a lot of luggage, families with children, elderly travellers and low mobility passengers on wheelchairs to board and leave the train without difficulty and overcome easily the gap between the train and the platform.

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Mobile App for Kremlin Museums

THE #Moscow Kremlin Museums have produced a multimedia application for smartphones and tablets – 'Moscow Kremlin Museums. Armoury Chamber'. It provides the latest news about the events of the Kremlin Museums and full information on the Armoury Chamber, i.e. the map of the museum, automatic navigation through the halls, audio guide, information about its halls and exhibits, games with museum content and in-museum quests. The Armoury Chamber provides Wi-Fi, so it is possible to download the app directly at the museum.

The option Exposition Guide allows using the app as a guide. The app automatically identifies the location of the visitor and illuminates the nearest showcases with blue. One could also discover general information about the each hall by clicking the 'i' symbol. There is both textual and audio content in the app, so it can be used as an audio guide.

The free app is available in English and Russian for both iOS and Android users.

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Moscow City Pass

THE Russia CityPass is full of new museums, easier to use  and with two different destinations, the capital of Russian Federation Moscow and the cultural capital of Russia – Saint Petersburg.

The Moscow CityPass card provides its holder with one-time free admission to 42 museums (including the Moscow Kremlin and Tretyakov Gallery), Moscow City Sightseeing double decker bus tours (24- hour valid ticket), river cruise on yachts of flotilla "Radisson Royal" and free taxi ride with Get-Taxi. Moreover, Moscow Pass provides discounts in more than 20 restaurants, 9 tours and bicycle and car rental services, hotels and other useful and interesting tourist services in Moscow.

The Moscow CityPass package contains the Moscow Guidebook in three languages (Russian, English and Chinese) with useful information about the Russian capital, its key tourist areas, attractions and useful tips for tourists, coupons for discounts and other benefits.

It also includes a specially designed tourist map of the city center with the Moscow Kremlin map and other tourist attractions, and Moscow Metro map.

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Loch Ewe 75

AN exciting new event, the Loch Ewe World War II Festival, is being launched in Poolewe in Wester Ross, #Scotland this week, to show-case the intrepid Russian Arctic Convoys that braved the North Atlantic passage to Russia in extreme weather and war-time conditions. Once described by Sir Winston Churchill as the "the worst journey in the world" they brought support to our ally in what was a vital strategic war effort.

A two-day extravaganza of military and naval re-enactments in Loch Ewe and Aultbea will be complemented with a movie night, Highland Swing band, D-Day Darlings singers to reminisce along with some serious vintage glamour and military style.

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Cruise resolutions for the New Year

A #CRUISE holiday gives holidaymakers the chance to visit far-flung places and ‘off-the-beaten-track’ destinations, and is the ideal choice for a stress-free getaway, where food, accommodation and entertainment are all included.

Fred. Olsen highlights five exciting and unusual destinations to spark guests’ imaginations in 2017/18:

1. Nordfjord, Norway

The tranquil and enchanting Nordfjord offers breath-taking scenery in every direction, including the chance to pass the magnificent Hornelen, Europe’s highest sea cliff.

2. Prins Christiansund, Greenland

Dramatic icebergs and glistening glaciers; crossing the glass-like waters of Prins Christiansund is not to be missed!

3. Akureyri, Iceland

Magnificent scenery, Iceland is a ‘must’. Fred. Olsen offers an impressive whale-watching adventure from Akureyri – named on Lonely Planet’s ‘Best Places in Europe’ 2015 list – which is ideal for nature-lovers wanting to marvel at these fantastic creatures in their natural environment.

4. St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg is a ‘must-see’ destination in Eastern Europe. It is easy to fall in love with the beauty and elegance of the city, and visiting Peterhof Palace, the world-famous Fabergé Museum, and the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, will be top of your ‘to do’ list.



5. St. John’s, Antigua

Antigua is simply stunning, and for those looking for a relaxing holiday, with beautiful sandy beaches, a Caribbean cruise is definitely something to tick off the list. St. John’s has as many as 365 pretty beaches – one for each day of the year, so the locals say!

www.fredolsencruises.com

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Picture Credit: garciadiego769 flickr.com/photos/131739375@N04/22080858010 via photopin, Prayitno flickr.com/photos/34128007@N04/23792353632 St John's ~ Antigua via photopin.

Up in the air . . .

DANCERS from the internationally renowned Bolshoi Ballet and classical superstar Katherine Jenkins staged the world’s first ballet and musical performance in the air, to celebrate the launch of British Airways’ Dreamliner flights from London Heathrow to Moscow, Russia.

Lucky passengers on the inaugural flight of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner were taken to new heights with an incredible, surprise performance by Artemy Belyakov and Olga Marchenkova, stars from the legendary Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. 

The dancers were accompanied by one of Britain’s favourite singers, Welsh Mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins OBE, who gave a spine-tingling rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

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Picture Credit: Bellevue Fine Art Repro (Scott) flickr.com/photos/8616539@N08/29948583513 ecb-year end2016-8815 via photopin.com

Russia on the radar for bargain-seeking Brits

A STRONG pound against the ruble, cheap flights, and big sporting events have put #Russia back on the holiday map. 

On the Go Tours is offering a 20% discount on eight Russia group tours departing before August 31, and a 10% discount departing between August 31 and December 31 including four Christmas and New Year departures. The offers are available on all bookings made by the June 30.

With prices starting from £349 per person, the tours available range from four to 10 days. Tour highlights include the 15th century Pskov-Pechorsky Monastery in Pechory, a guided walk through the gardens of the Kremlin in Moscow, and an opportunity to visit The State Hermitage Museum, once the home of Russian tsars, in St Petersburg.

The company is also offering a two-for-one deal on its Vodka Shot and Route of the Romanovs itineraries that depart on August 16. Travellers will see the best of Russia in under a week on the Vodka Shot tour enjoying a guided tour of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, home to one of the world’s largest art collections, and visits to the Peter and Paul fortress and Peterhof gardens, often referred to as Russia’s Versailles, along with Moscow’s Red Square, Lenin’s Mausoleum and St Basil’s Cathedral. Alternatively, there’s the Route of the Romanovs itinerary which includes all of these attractions and an additional rail journey across the Ural Mountains to Yekaterinburg on the Trans-Siberian railway.

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Brush up your English, Russian airport staff told

#RUSSIA wants its customs and immigration staff at airports to brush up their English as part of a drive to boost the country’s tourist sector. It’s believed that foreign tourists find delays at airport immigration desks and the lack of English-language signs frustrating. 

Rimma Sachunova at the St. Petersburg Committee on Tourism Development says there is no excuse for customs staff to not know English. Ms Sachunova also said that efforts to include the English language in the city’s road and Metro signage were already underway.

‘We are working at ensuring that there is more signage in English in St. Petersburg. In fact, St. Petersburg is the only city in Russia that has English signage in all of its Metro stations,’ she said.

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