Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 185 of 191

MICE Asia Pacific Exhibition 2016 to be held in Singapore

(#wanderlusttips #Singapore #MICE) MICE Asia Pacific Exhibition, the only show in Asia solely focused on networking between buyers and sellers of the MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conference, Exhibitions) will be held in September 21-22, 2016, promising to draw thousands of event organisers, travel agents, hoteliers and other organizations.

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The last year event welcomed more than 2,000 attendees and hope to double sthe number this year. 2016 event will feature conferences, workshops, competition, networking and speakers’ presentations, which helps compaies to seize the chance of coorporation, taking partners and develop the business.

The burgeoning MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conference, Exhibitions) has been growing steadily over the past few couple of years and the Asia Pacific markets have seen rapid growth. According to the ICCA statistics report in 2014, there were over 2,400 meetings held in Asia Pacific & Middle East, which occupied 20% of worldwide meetings.MICE Asia Pacific Exhibition 2016 is the ideal opportunity for your organisation to get involved in Asia Pacific’s booming MICE industry.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

July promotion package at Novotel Suites Hanoi Hotel

(#wanderlusttips #Novotelsuiteshanoi) Family & Novotel is the latest promotion package of Novotel Suites Hanoi which features the best well-balanced dishes using natural and freshest ingredients to indulge the diner’s sense at Food Exchange International Buffet Restaurant.

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Accordingly, guests will enjoy 30% discount of lunch and dinner buffet from now to July 31, 2016. Children from 7 to 12 years old pay 50% of the listed price and children below 6 eat for free.

Opening in the first quarter of 2016 under the management of AccorHotels Group, the hotel is the first in Novotel Suites hospitality chain in Asia, which aims to bring the guest permanent classy accommodation for living and working.

The hotel, which locates in the west of Hanoi, showcases 151 spacious and ergonomic studio rooms and apartments with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms fully-furnished with kitchenette, free WIFI and international IPTV.

The hotel is also integrated with the restaurant, bars, outdoor heated swimming pool, steam, sauna, laundry and upscale meeting facilities.

http://www.accorhotels.com/9813

Novotel Suites Hanoi

Address: 5 Duy Tan Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Tel: (+84)435766666

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Housing in caves under the city of Nottingham

(#wanderlusttips #Nottingham) The sandstone rock, which shaped low hills to the north of the River Trent of Nottingham city some 230 million years ago, has unusual dual quality of strength and softness to be excavated and built into houses by the earliest inhabitants of this land, creating hundred of housed-caves under the ground.

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They found that it was easier and cheaper to create dwelling space by excavating into the foot of the sandstone cliffs along the edge of the Trent floodplain, than build houses above ground. Indeed, Nottingham was once known in the Brythonic language as Tigguo Cobauc, meaning “Place of Caves”, and was referred to as such by the Bishop of Sherborne Asser in the 9th century.

None of these early caves exist today. They have either collapsed are weathered away by erosion. But there are still hundreds of caves under the modern city of Nottingham, saying around 540 caves. The earliest of these caves are thought to date from the 12th century, and a small number of them were dug after 1850. These caves were used as houses, as cellars and as places of work by various inhabitants of the city. Candle makers, bakers and blacksmiths loved them because these tradesmen could build hot fires without worrying about their workshops setting on fire and without having to damp down or cover their fires each night as was required because of the curfew orders in place at the time.

Butchers and fishmongers also built their workplaces there because of the absence of flies and the cool temperature. Maltsters took advantage of the cool temperature of the caves to create malt from barley all throughout the year.

During the Industrial Revolution, large number of people came to Nottingham looking for work and landlords began housing families in caves, sometimes in pretty appalling conditions. Entire families slept and ate in a single room. Sanitation was poor and the caves became breeding grounds for cholera, tuberculosis and smallpox. It was one of the worst periods in the history of Nottingham. In 1845, the renting of caves and cellars for use by the poor as homes was made illegal, but the practice could not be entirely eradicated. People were still living in them until the first quarter of the 20th century. During the Second World War, the caves became air raid shelters.

Only a handful of the caves are in use today. The pub called “Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem” which is rumored to be one of the oldest pubs in the country is partly built into the cave system. Another set of caves function as indoor rifle range of the Nottingham Rifle Club.

A section of the cave network under the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre is now open as a tourist attraction.

Amusing Planet | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

The African Union launches all-Africa passport

(#wanderlusttips #Africa #Visa) In the circumstance of Britain’s vote to leave, the African Union is aiming to a closer integration with the plan of the common passport which allows visa-free access to all 54 member states.

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The electronic passports will be unveiled at the AU summit in Kigali, Rwanda, later this month, where they will be issued to heads of state and senior officials. The Union aims to distribute them to all African citizens by 2018, which is considered an ambicious plan.

“This flagship project has the specific aim of facilitating free movement of persons, goods and services around the continent – in order to foster intra-Africa trade, integration and socio-economic development,” the Union announced in a statement.

A recent report from the African Development Bank advised that easing entrance requirements would support economic growth, citing the case of Rwanda, which saw GDP and tourism revenues climb after abolishing visas.

Common passports have already been adopted for several regions, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Currently, just 13 African states are open to all African citizens without advance visas, with many placing severe restrictions on travel.

AU Director for Political Affairs Dr. Khabele Matlosa believes opening borders will have a profound effect for workers at the lower end of the scale. “We have a problem now that young people are risking their lives to cross the Sahara Desert or travel on boats to Europe,” says Matlosa. “If we open opportunities in Africa we reduce that risk.“

The Director has been studying the example of Europe, but believes a closer African Union will not be so threatened by concerns about immigration or loss of sovereignty.

However Matlosa acknowledges the target of providing all citizens with the passports by 2018 is ambitious, conceding that full coverage may not be achieved until several years later.

This concern about the timeline is shared with David Zounmenou, senior research fellow at the Institute for Security Studies, who believes that the timeframe is too short and 2020 would be a fine effort.

He also pointed out that not all countries have the same level of technology needed for the biometric system and to register their citizens.

Zounmenou adds that the closer union will face a complaint familiar to European counterparts — that of more powerful states overriding smaller members.

“Not every country will buy into it,” he says. “Visa revenue is an important source of income for some countries and removing it will affect the local economy unless there is compensation.”

But Zounmenou believes that common passports will support international trade within the continent, reducing the widespread dependence on Western goods, and offer new opportunities to many citizens.

“Many people ask ‘what are the practical benefits of being a member of the AU?'” he says. “This can be one of the most important social and economic responses, which allows business to flow, students to travel, and people to move from one corner of the continent to another.“

Critics have suggested open borders risk strengthening terror groups and organized crime, but Zounmenou disagrees.

“One key advantage is that we will have centralized records to show who is going where,” he says.

CNN | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Ascott signed management contract for 550-unit Citadines Blue Cove Danang

(Wanderlusttips #Ascott) CapitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has signed a management contract for 550-unit Citadines Blue Cove Danang, expanding its portfolio to more than 3,500 units in the country.

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Citadines Blue Cove Danang which is slated to open in 2018 within the landmark Son Tra peninsula offering picturesque views of Danang Bay is the Ascott’s largest property globally. This is the eighteenth property to be managed by Ascott in Vietnam and the second management contract awarded to Ascott by Hoa Binh Company, the first of which was for the 206-unit Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi which Ascott has been managing since 2008. Hoa Binh Company is collaborating with S.E.A Thuan Phuoc Company for Citadines Blue Cove Danang.

Mr Tony Soh, Ascott’s Chief Corporate Officer who oversees the company’s business and operations in Vietnam, said: “Bringing Ascott’s largest property globally to Vietnam demonstrates the importance and potential of the market, and this latest property has reinforced and strengthened Ascott’s position as the largest international serviced residence owner-operator in Vietnam. Within the first half of 2016 we have added more than 5,000 units in 27 properties, 23 of which are in Asia, while the remaining properties are in New York, London and Al Khobar, in Saudi Arabia. As we continue to work towards our target of 80,000 units globally by 2020, we will be looking to establish more strategic alliances and seek more opportunities for investments, management contracts and franchises.”

In Vietnam, Ascott currently operates three properties in Hanoi – Somerset Grand Hanoi, Somerset Hoa Binh and Somerset West Lake, one property in Hai Phong – Somerset Central TD Hai Phong City, and five properties in Ho Chi Minh City – Somerset Chancellor Court, Somerset Ho Chi Minh City, Somerset Vista Ho Chi Minh City, Vista Residences and Diamond Island Luxury Residences.

Ms Lew Yen Ping, Ascott’s Country General Manager for Vietnam, said: “We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Hoa Binh Company. Citadines Blue Cove Danang is also testament to our local partner’s confidence in Ascott as it will be Vietnam’s largest serviced apartment and our largest property globally with 550 units”.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Turkish Airlines inaugurated the first direct flight from Istabul to Hanoi

On June 27, 2016, the Europe’s best airline for five consecutive years ranked by Skytrax, Turkish Airlines has launched its first direct flight from its historic city of Istabul to Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City offering more convenient options to travellers and representing the next milestone of the airline’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific market.

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The weekly frequency on the route is scheduled to increase from 5 flights now on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday to 7 flights from October 31, 2016. It takes about 15 hours from Hanoi and 12 hours from Ho Chi Minh City.

Flights are operated using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft primarily used on international routes that seats 288 passengers and offers full modern in-flight entertainment and connectivity. Roundtrip fares from Vietnam to Istanbul start from US$865 including governmental taxes, airport fees and charges.

With this inauguration, Vietnamese travellers are offered an unparalleled travel option to explore the historic heritage of Istanbul – the largest and the only metropolis in the world that straddles Europe and Asia, as well as to reach major destinations in Europe on the airline’s frequent routes. The flag carrier is strategically expanding into Russia, Central Asia, Far East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North and South America.

Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance and currently operates the world’s most extensive route network of 241 international and 49 domestic destinations around the world including Vietnam.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

wanderlust-tips-tips-for-the-most-quietest-seats-on-the-plane

Tips for the quietest seats on the plane

As many passengers sent the inquiries to ask about the quietest on airplanes where they are not bothered by noise from the plane’s rumbling engines and disturbed air, New York-based low-cost airline JetBlue has set out to answer this.

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JetBlue pilot Christian P. said passengers should choose a seat towards the front of the plane. “There’s less noise when you’re sitting forward of the wings,” the JetBlue pilot explained. “On most planes, the engines are located under the wings. Sitting in the front of the wing is like being behind a speaker. All of the sounds of the engine and disturbed air are projected away from you. For a more peaceful ride find a seat in the front of the cabin.”

Another expert, Dai Whittingham, chair of the UK Flight Safety Committee, told that those who are bothered by the noise may want to opt for an aisle seat.

“As a basic principle, the seats forward of the engines tend to be quieter,” he said. “Aft of the wings there is also likely to be some additional aerodynamic noise from the wings themselves.”

“Window seats are noisier than aisle seats because you are closer to the skin of the aircraft – sound intensity decreases inversely proportional to the square of the distance from source”, added he.

His argument actually has been strengthened by an analysis which was carried out by H. Kurtulus Ozcan and Semih Nemlioglu, from Istanbul University, in 2006 to measure noise levels within the cabin of commercial planes.

Their study analyzed domestic flights on Airbus A321 aircraft and found that passengers in middle and aisle seats are exposed to noise that is four decibels quieter than what travelers in window seats are exposed to.

Sitting at the front of a plane, however, is a luxury on some aircraft and can be very costly on larger planes with premium cabins. For example, passengers flying on a British Airways Airbus A380 – the world’s largest passenger jet – would need to be in first or business class to be in front of the wings. And the price to get the seats is much higher than other seats.

For passengers flying with a budget airline, they will need to be in the first 14 rows on Ryanair’s fleet of Boeing 737s, or in the first six to eight rows on easyJet’s Airbus A319 or A320 aircraft.

How much quieter these seats really are may be up for debate, and some aircraft are quieter than others.

Manufacturers have made strides in reducing engine noise and making cabins quieter to improve passenger comfort.

For example, passengers who are used to flying within Europe on budget flights will notice a huge difference when they fly on an Airbus A380 – the world’s largest passenger jet and the aircraft that is considered the quietest in the skies today.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is substantially quieter than its competitors.

Whittingham said turboprop aircraft tend to be the noisiest due to the speed of the propeller tips.

Daily Mail | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Keepy-uppy on the 1,200m Trolltunga in Norway

(#wanderlusttips #Trolltungu) 30-year-old photographer Johannes Höhn from Cologne, Germany travelled with three friends on the five hour hike from Skjeggedal to reach the tourist hotspot of Trolltunga (or Troll’s tongue) in Odda show his support for German football team in Euro 2016.

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Stunning photos on the edge of the notorious Norwegian hiking spot may take your breathe away as it looks so dangerous.

“I had the idea of the shot and brought the football up there, but none of my friends have good football skills so I had to juggle on the rock,” said Höhn. “I was there for ten minutes and my friends were kind enough to push the buttons on my camera and make sure they got the right moment.”

He also revealed that he nearly lost the ball over edge about three times and when he looks at the pics, it still makes him nervous.

“As I was the one juggling, I was pumped with adrenaline during the performance and felt a bit dizzy afterwards” said he.

Trolltunga is one of the most spectacular scenic cliffs in Norway. Trolltunga is situated about 1,200 meters above sea level, hovering 700 metres above lake Ringedalsvatnet. The view is breathtaking.

The hike starts in Skjeggedal and goes through the high mountains, takes 10-12 hours (23 km in total to Trolltunga and return) and the ascent is about 900 meters. It is a long and hard hike. The hike is usually possible to do from mid-June, depending on when the snow melts in the mountains. Normally one can hike to Trolltunga until mid-September.

He added: ‘We set up one camera from the top was about 15 meters away from the rock and another further down, which required a steep climb and was pretty dangerous – but the outcome was worth it.

Daily Mail | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Sherwood Residence earns TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

(#wanderlusttips #Sherwoodresidence #Tripadvisor) Sherwood Residence has just announced that it has received a Certificate of Excellence, being recognized as one of the top performing accommodation on the World’s Largest Travel Site TripAdvisor.

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Sherwood Residence is a luxury serviced apartment on the edge of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City offering full-serviced 5-star accommodations with spacious and luxurious 2 and 3-bedroom apartment and penthouse units. Located on scenic Pasteur Street, Sherwood Residence provides convenient access to international schools, consulates, hospitals, and the Central Business District.

“I’d particularly like to send my gratitude to all our guests that provided their feedback which has helped us to maintain and even improve our quality of services and products. I’d also like to thank the hard-working team at Sherwood Residence who have strived every day to maintain our commitment to being the preferred destination for warm, inviting family accommodations at the heart of Saigon whether for short-term or long-term stays,” stated Janet Fitzner, General Manager of Sherwood Residence.

Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience.

“With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honors hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travelers,” said Heather Leisman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor. “This recognition helps travelers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travelers feel more confident in their booking decisions.”

Sherwood Residence

Địa chỉ: 127 Pasteur – District 3, HCMC
Tel: (+848) 3823 2288
Website: www.sherwoodresidence.com

Bay Hotel HCMC launched its promotion package

(#wanderlusttips #bayhotel) In celebration of the hotel opening, newly opened Bay Hotel Ho Chi Minh, the first and largest executive boutique hotel from Singapore in the city, introduces special room package to its guests.

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Catering to the needs of business and leisure travelers, the hotel is delighted to offer guests a special inclusive of daily buffet breakfast for two persons, unlimited free wifi access, unlimited free local phone calls, daily replenished minibar, 3 pieces of laundry daily per room, Complimentary 1 way transfer to Airport if booking is made directly with the hotel and with a minimum 3 nights stay.

Wheather you come for business or leisure, Bay Hotel is primed to lend a distinguished appeal and render an unparalleled service to ensure pleasant staying for guests who can enjoy the unsurpassed levels of service and flexibility.

Staff are well-trained to provide professional service and tailor unique experiences as well as their local knowledge to make HCMC home of happy stay.

Starting from 1.500.000 VND++ per room per night, this package is applicable till October 31, 2016. (Prices are subject to 5% service charge and 10%VAT).

Bay Hotel