Radisson Blu to embrace the heart of Venice

NOMINATED as the European Capital of Culture in 2019, #Venice is home to the Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world; it draws more than 500,000 visitors to its bi-annual International Art Exhibition. Venice is also home to La Fenice theater and one of the oldest film festivals and carnivals.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has signed a long-term management agreement of a canal-side hotel in the inner part of Venice’s San Marco district, just steps from renowned Saint Mark’s Square. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Venice San Marco is expected to open by the end of 2019.

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Ryanair launches new Bristol 2017 schedules

RYANAIR'S Bristol summer 2017 schedule is attracting record bookings, with more frequencies to sun destinations for summer family holidays, including a new route to Zadar (2 x weekly).

With lower fares as #Ryanair passes on lower fuel costs, and an even better customer experience, as it continues to roll out its “Always Getting Better” improvements.

The new Bristol winter 2017 schedule includes a new route to Cologne, extra flights to Bucharest and Venice and 20 routes in total.

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Up in the air . . .

SINGAPORE AIRLINES is to begin a non-stop service between Singapore and Manchester, England, in October. The flights will run five times weekly and will continue on to Houston, Texas, which is currently served via Moscow. 

The airline’s services to Christchurch, New Zealand will increase to 10 times weekly between November and February 2017, while flights to Adelaide, Australia, will also increase to 10 times weekly from December 1 to January 31.

RYANAIR will change its Bristol to Venice Treviso to Venice Marco Polo Airport from September. Treviso is 19 miles from Venice, while Marco Polo is much closer at 4.6 miles.

MANCHESTER AIRPORT has opened an expanded Escape Lounge in Terminal Two. The airport has spent £1.9 million on the lounge which has increased in capacity by a third with room for up to 212 passengers.

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Where to go for clean air

HOLIDAYMAKERS concerned about air quality when travelling abroad might be interested in a report by Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) which compares pollution levels in some of the world's most popular destinations. 

The research compares 28 cities in 19 countries highlighting their current Air Quality Index (AQI) in October 2015. 

The index is based on pollutants that have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Visitors are advised that if they are travelling to countries where the AQI is higher than 151, strenuous exercises or activities should be avoided.

Holidaymakers heading to the Middle East and Asia should be more cautious about travelling to Dubai in the UAE and Beijing in China. According to the research, Dubai has an AQI of 222, which is considered 'very unhealthy', while Beijing’s score is 328, described as 'hazardous'.

Luckily for travellers visiting destinations in Europe such as Paris, Venice, and Madrid, all three cities showed an AQI of 46 or below, which is considered good, posing little or no risk. Amsterdam’s score was 66, and London’s was 77.

The city with the lowest level of pollution was Bangkok, which recorded a figure of 18, followed by Washington DC at 24 and San Francisco at 25. 

The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/airpollution.



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Picture Credit: href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69345640@N00/4405955226">Shanghai</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/84292292@N00/7017130433">Bangkok</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), 

Up in the air . . .

FLYBE is reported to have sought permission to operate regular commercial flights from RAF Northolt, the West London airfield usually reserved for government and military flights, and executive jets. The regional carrier has applied to Britain’s Ministry of Defence for clearance to fly twice a day to five cities.

EASYJET is stepping up services from Scotland next year by adding an eighth aircraft to its base at Edinburgh airport. New routes to Vienna and Venice will operate from the Scottish capital while Glasgow will gain a connection to Marseille.

BRISTOL is to become WOW Air's second UK departure point for flights to Iceland and North America. Tickets for flights beginning in May are now on sale from £39 to Reykjavik, Iceland, and £99 to the USA and Canada. Flights will depart Bristol Airport for the airline's hub in Reykjavik on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Passengers travelling through will then have a short stop-over before continuing on to one of the airline's North American destinations – Boston, Washington D.C., Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.

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They want to get away … alone

GOING on holiday alone – once considered an awkward by-product of being single in later life – is now an ambition for almost a third of middle-aged Brits seeking adventure … and time to themselves. 

A survey of 10,000 UK holidaymakers has revealed that almost a third of over-50s have taken a solo trip in the last year, with many of them planning to do so again. Of those who’ve never done it, 17 percent said they would like to try it.

Top reasons cited for flying solo include doing what you want whenever you want, eating and drinking without any judgement from anyone, and getting quality ‘me’ time.

A city break in Barcelona, with its mix of beaches, culture, and nightlife was revealed to be the favourite solo holiday destination, closely followed by exploring the canals in Venice and visiting New York City.
The research (by over-50s travel and insurance specialist Stay sure) looked into the reasons behind changing attitudes to solo travel. 

Almost a third of over-50s cited said that enjoying their own company was one of their top reasons for going away alone, followed by being single or widowed, while seven percent said their children were now adults and would no longer go on holiday with them. Almost a quarter felt that they did not want to rely on partners or friends to plan their holidays. Others said they enjoyed the sense of adventure in a solo trip.

Making new friends was also highlighted as a reason to book a trip for one, with 16 per cent considering a solo trip as a chance to meet new people. Some said they had made a new friendship when they were on holiday alone, and had subsequently planned a trip together afterwards.

The research also highlighted common concerns about travelling alone. Paying single supplements for hotel rooms top of the list of anxieties, followed by personal safety worries and anxiety about having to eat alone in restaurants.

Chris Rolland, Staysure CEO said: ‘Our customer research confirms that people in their 60s, 70s and 80s have the sense of adventure for things that may have seemed unexpected from this age group in previous generations. Brits are now choosing to leave their partners at home to expand their horizons by planning incredible solo trips and discovering a world of truly unique experiences, including new friendships and even romance. 

In light of this trend, it’s important that travel and insurance providers are able to offer an increasingly wide range of affordable options to help Brits fulfil their ambitions.’ 

Top destinations that people travelling alone would choose to travel

1. Barcelona
2. Venice
3. New York
4. Rome
5. Malta
6. Sydney
7. Algarve
8. Amsterdam
9. California
10. Dublin

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Picture Credit: "Barcelona (2418242475)" by Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands - BarcelonaUploaded by russavia. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barcelona_(2418242475).jpg#/media/File:Barcelona_(2418242475).jpg

From Italy with love … and 007

TO celebrate – or try to cash in on – the latest Bond movie, ‘Spectre’, #Citalia has compiled its list of holiday destinations featured in the #007 series over the decades since 1963. The travel company can recommend and arrange hotel accommodation in all of these locations.

Rome – Spectre (2015): The Eternal City plays a starring role in Bond’s new adventure. The cast and crew were spotted filming around the River Tiber, near the Colosseum, and around the streets of Vatican City.

Venice – From Russia with Love (1963); Moonraker (1979); and Casino Royale (2006): As with most who visit the floating city, Bond is not immune to its charms having spent time in Venice on three occasions. His first visit occurred in From Russia with Love back in 1963, where he wooed Tatiana Romanova on a gondola along the Grand Canal. He returned 16 years later in Moonraker, where he once again takes a gondola along the Grand Canal – although this time, he’s being chased by assassins in a speedboat. Bond’s last trip to Venice was in Casino Royale, when he and Vesper Lynd moor their yacht outside the Belmond Hotel Cipriani.

 Siena - Quantum of Solace (2008): #JamesBond travels to Siena at the start of Quantum of Solace, where he chases a member of the secretive Quantum organization over the rooftops and through the crowds at the Palio horse race in the Piazza del Campo. For a piece of the action, Citalia’s concierge team in Siena can arrange tickets to the Palio race.

Dolomites - For Your Eyes Only (1981): 007 heads to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites to track down a Belgian assassin. The action here features a chase scene involving a ski jump, a downhill ski slope, and a bobsleigh run. Bolzano is the perfect place to explore hiking and cycling trails and for soaking-up Alpine scenery. 

Lake Como - Casino Royale (2006): Lake Como makes two appearances in Casino Royale. The first is at the hospital where 007 recovers after being tortured, which was shot at Villa del Balbianello. The second time you’ll spot the lake is right at the end of the film, when Bond surprises the mysterious Mr White at his lakeside villa. This scene was shot at Villa la Gaeta, close to the resorts of San Siro and Menaggio on Lake Como’s western shore. For film location buffs, Citalia offers a pre-bookable tour of Villa del Balbianello, accessible via private boat, à la 007.

www.citalia.com

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Picture Credit: © David Kernek

easyJet switches airport to drive growth in Italy

EASYJET is to expand its bases in Italy – at Milan Malpensa and Naples – and open a new one in Venice from April‎ next year. 

The carrier plans to support the expansion by re-deploying aircraft and crew from Rome Fiumicino, criticizing the airport’s high fees and poor passenger service. The airline’s base at Rome Fiumicino will shut next April due to a ‘worsening performance’, blamed on airport passenger charges which have doubled in three years.

‘In addition, Rome Fiumicino provides a poor passenger experience which has led to low levels of punctuality and customer satisfaction,’ easyJet said.

The airline still expects to fly around two million passengers to and from Rome in 2016, but without having crew and aircraft based there. Instead, the airline is to deploy four aircraft in Venice, creating 150 jobs, and add three to the 18 already based at Milan Malpensa, providing 100 extra jobs for pilots and cabin crew. Naples will get a fourth aircraft from April, creating 35 jobs.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58613084@N02/5857518179">Airbus A319-111 G-EZBZ EasyJet, Bristol - Lulsgate - UK, June 19 2011.</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Weddings in the sun …

COUPLES-TO-BE have been inspired by George Clooney’s nuptials to opt for an overseas wedding, according to Kuoni.

The tour operator said it has seen a 20% increase in enquiries for Venice since Clooney married there last year.

And while the Maldives is still the run-away favourite destination for honeymoons, the company is finding more honeymooners are looking for adventurous destinations and experiences. 

Favourites include the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius, and Mexico.

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Picture Credit: "Bacino di San Marco in Venice 001" by Moonik - Own work. via Wikimedia Commons.

Humberside flights to luxury

HUMBERSIDE Airport is launching an exclusive season of flights for luxury weekend breaks to some of Europe’s most desirable city break destinations in May and June.

The airport will offer a choice of convenient, direct weekend flights to Nice, Barcelona, and Venice on a 50-seat jet.

Customers will have private check-in, complimentary car parking at the airport, a champagne breakfast, and a ‘private jet experience’ on the Embraer jet.

Paul Litten, Humberside Airport’s commercial director, said: ‘Two of the weekend departures to Nice and Barcelona have been specifically planned around both the Monaco and Spanish Grand Prix.’

The breaks can be booked as flight-only or packaged with accommodation through Humberside Airport Travel.

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Italy lights up for Xmas

 ITALIAN CITIES light up for the festive season, with Christmas markets combining Mediterranean flavours and German traditions.

Here are some of the best:

VERONA – The city hosts a Nuremberg Christmas market in the central Piazza dei Signori. The German–style market will have all the traditional huts serving specialities such as mulled wine, Stollen and Lebkuchen cakes, and bratwurst.

TRIESTE – In Trieste, you can feel the charm of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire empire in its Christmas market in Piazza Sant'Antonio and the surrounding streets. There’ll be Trieste food and wine, songs and music.

ROME – The Piazza Navona (Pictured above) is swamped by a bustling market, selling cribs, decorations and sweets.

VENICE – Christmas fairs in various piazzas. 

FLORENCE – Mercato Tedesco di Natale, Piazza Santa Croce. This market (pictured here) is inspired by the tradition of the German city of Heidelberg. Wooden huts and stalls selling Italian and German delicacies, decorations, and handicrafts.

NAPLES – Via S. Gregorio Armeno. The Christmas market in this narrow street is famous for its handcrafted nativity crib figurines, from the traditional to the most sophisticated, and for traditional Neopolitan food and cakes. 

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Picture Credit: From Top: 'Piazza Navona (Roma) - Mercato Natalizio 05' by Nicholas Gemini (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons; 'Piazza Santa Croce with german market' by Freepenguin (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

Travel matters..........

Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go. Truman Capote








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Picture credit: "San Marco" via Wikimedia Commons

Cruise ship ban in Venice

LARGE cruise ships will be banned from sailing into Venice’s city centre next year after the Italian government came to an agreement last week.

St Mark's Square, Venice By Peter Broster via Wikimedia Commons

Ships can currently pass within 1,000 feet of St Mark’s Square, but from next year vessels that are more than 96,000 tonnes will be banned from sailing in Saint Mark’s basin and the Giudecca Canal. Ships of more than 40,000 tonnes will also be limited to five a day.

Transport minister Maurizio Lupi said: ‘It seems to me to be a balanced solution which takes account of our duty to remove the skyscrapers of the sea from the canals of Venice, while safeguarding a world heritage city that is the envy of the world and protecting the city’s economy which is so linked to cruise tourism.’

More than 40 cruise ships from lines including Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises will be banned.

Larger ships will still be allowed to visit Venice from Marghera, where passengers would be transported on smaller vessels.

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The app for city tours

CITIES TALKING is a new way to discover your favourite cities … for less. Showcasing the best of Europe’s city culture, Cities Talking – which has been dubbed the “anti-tour guide” – has been designed to offer a solution to expensive, uninformative city tours, with the help of some famous voices.

Free to download, the app allows you to explore cities on your own schedule. Instead of regurgitating the same mundane facts on which many tour guides rely, the app uses an interactive GPS which targets your location and provides compelling facts designed to inspire, educate, amuse and entertain – whether it’s Christopher Biggins guiding you around the streets of London or comedian Gordon Kelly taking you on a tour of medieval Edinburgh.

Says Julie-Anne Uggla, founder of Cities Talking: ‘In Venice, we paid a premium for an excruciating tour of the city – it was so busy we couldn’t hear the tour guide speak, what we did hear was completely uninspiring and we couldn’t even stop for a water break in the baking heat. At that point, I thought surely there’s a cheaper, more exciting way to explore a city than this,  which is when Cities Talking was born!”.

Walks are currently available for ten cities: London, Edinburgh, Berlin, Amsterdam, Budapest, Florence, Paris, Venice, Bruges, and Prague.

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