| June 2005 |
|
Second Phase of Development underway at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
The
JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa has commenced an expansion program
with its second phase of development which is scheduled for completion by
March 15, 2006. |
A City Of Museums. Hong
Kong, China
Nearly a decade after Hong Kong reverted to Chinese ownership the city is
still thriving. At the time of handover many locals were worried that the
departure of the British authorities would lead to Chinese oppression, and
that ‘HK’ would become repressive and totalitarian. Despite some problems,
that hasn’t happened. The Chinese are quite happy to maintain Hong Kong and
Kowloon as a ‘Special Economic Zone’ – and life goes on rather as it did
before. |
Singapore Airlines to launch Bangkok - Tokyo service
From September 2005, Singapore Airlines will launch a six-times weekly
direct service between Bangkok and Tokyo. |
Indonesia Grants 14 Countries
Visa-On-Arrival Facility
Indonesia decided to
grant its visa-on-arrival facility to 14 countries in an effort to increase
foreign tourist arrivals which have been declining as the result of various
terror incidents in the country. |
Beaches and fairways
The twin seaside destinations of
Hua
Hin and
Cha-am,
keen to preserve their identity, try to strike a balance between rising
tourist traffic and the fallout therefrom |
Newly-engaged
Ashley and Cheryl in Marbella
Football ace Ashley Cole and his new fiancée Cheryl Tweedy have been
celebrating their engagement with a break in sun-drenched Marbella. The
glamorous couple jetted out to the Spanish resort just after going public
with their plans to become man and wife. |
Let there
be lights
SOMEWHERE out there across the black tide of the Mekong River is
Laos. Other than a full moon
rising, there's not much to see. "Be patient," says Poum, my guide, as we
watch and wait along with several thousand others on this river bank at
Nakhon Phanom in northeast Thailand. |
Italy: Ruins with a view
EN route to San Gimignano – Forster's fictional Monteriano – no matter from
which direction, there is time to study the cypress trees, shaped like
flames and with military posture. |
Chur: Alpine air with big-city buzz
So you want a vacation featuring culture, restaurants and night life, with
easy access to the great outdoors as well? |
Accor Announces Largest Ever
Expansion In Thailand And Vietnam
Accor recently announced its most significant expansion in Thailand and
Vietnam since it entered the region’s hotel market more than two decades
ago, with six new hotels and beach resorts added to its fast growing
regional network. |
Six Senses opening private Spa Suites
The Six Senses Spa experience is being redefined, with the creation of
innovative Spa Suites. The Spa suites are initially being introduced at
Soneva Fushi Resort and Soneva Gili Resort in the Maldives;
Evason Hideaway at Hua Hin –
Thailand; and Evason
Hideaway at Ana Mandara - Vietnam. |
Alternative treats abound at Philippine
spa
Coffee-water enemas and meals of raw vegetables may not sound very relaxing,
but for a revolutionary spa outside the Philippine capital, these are part
of a wider healing experience. |
Sam Roi Yot cave excursion
Phraya Nakhon Cave in
Sam Roi Yot National Park is a 450-metre trek from Laem Sala beach. The
limestone cave houses a pavilion where
King Rama V
stayed overnight during his visit to the South. Although the pavilion was
moved outside recently for renovation, the cave is still worth a visit. |
What's
New in Thailand
One of the Asian "tiger economies," Thailand is growing exponentially. Thais
are wealthier, and Thai infrastructure is expanding. |
Air France launches second daily
flight between Paris and Beijing
Air France has launched a second daily flight between
Paris and
Beijing.
The new flight is operated with Boeing B777-300 aircraft, with a seating
capacity of 310 and is equipped with the new Air France Travel Concept. |
Complimentary Wireless
Connectivity at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai
Every hotel, especially upper five star properties should now offer guests
Wireless internet connectivity throughout the hotel, but some use this
service to offset lost revenue streams such as long distance telephone calls
etc. This can fast become a costly expense for travellers who need to stay
connected while on the road. Not so at the
Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai which is now offering complimentary Wireless
connectivity throughout the entire property. |
A schoolgirl in Paris
Where better for a sophisticated young lady to spend her 11th birthday than
the French capital? Shopping, sightseeing, more shopping... even her mother,
Victoria Summerley, had a ball. |
Monte-Carlo’s Spa Festival at Chiva-Som from June 18-26, 2005
For the very first time,
Chiva-Som is going to welcome 'the Monte-Carlo Spa' to Hua Hin between
June 18th to June 26th, 2005. The Monte-Carlo festival will be bringing
Chiva-Som’s guests a taste of Monte-Carlo Mediterranean spa cuisine and an
experience of Marine and relaxation therapies of the Mediterranean Sea. |
Continental
Airlines launches daily nonstop services between New York and Stockholm
Continental Airlines is to begin daily nonstop flights from its New
York-area hub at Newark Liberty International Airport to Stockholm, Sweden
from 2 June 2005. |
Days of the Raj relived in Thailand
The English invent the most stupid of sports," says John. He should know,
he's English and we've been talking about cricket. We are sitting at the
poolside bar in the sumptuous Anantara Resort and Spa near the coastal town
of Hua Hin, three hours south of Bangkok. We have just spent the day
watching elephant polo. |
'Lufthansa Private Jet'
now also available at Frankfurt
Just two months after the launch of the "Lufthansa Private Jet" service,
Lufthansa is expanding its new high-end offering. From today, First Class
and Business Class passengers flying Lufthansa from Frankfurt to any
destination worldwide can now travel to Frankfurt by "Lufthansa Private
Jet". |
Princely pampering at a right royal Thai resort
Three hours' drive south of Bangkok - on a typically terrifying journey of
near-misses - is the town of Hua Hin, little more than a shop-lined wide
spot in the road for most tourists. |
