Visiting Iceland Without a Car – Day Trip Ideas From the Capital
by bdpash on 18/05/18 at 1:29 pm
Unless you’ve been living under a rather large rock, there’s a fairly good chance you’re aware of just how attractive Iceland is right now. But with prohibitively increasing car rental costs and rare accommodation outside the capital, planning a road trip can be a daunting task. Fret not: I’ve compiled a list of places that are doable as day trips from Reykjavik.
Read more:http://www.travellers-content.co.uk/visiting-iceland-without-a-car-day-trip-ideas-from-the-capital/
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Hilton Myanmar appoints GM from Belgium
Hilton has announced the appointment of Veronique Sirault as Cluster General Manager of its hotels in Myanmar, effective 26 November 2018. With 17 years of experience under her belt, Veronique is a seasoned hospitality professional who will be responsible for the growth of Hilton’s three properties in Myanmar: Hilton Nay Pyi Taw, Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa and Hilton Mandalay.
“We are delighted to welcome Veronique Sirault to the Hilton team and to Myanmar. She’s an accomplished professional with a rich and remarkable journey in the travel & hospitality industry. We are excited to have her helming our operations and continued success in Myanmar,” said Paul Hutton, vice president, operations, South East Asia, Hilton.
Veronique will oversee the operations of the three Hilton hotels in the country, as well provide support and oversight to the Hilton Vocational Training Center in Nay Pyi Taw. Commenting on the appointment, she said, “Myanmar is a true gem of a destination in Southeast Asia. I’m looking forward to working with the local team here, contributing to talent development; and being part of the current and future growth of Hilton and our business partners in this enchanting country.”
Veronique’s hospitality experience took root in her home country, Belgium, in the food & beverage and rooms division. Her career has taken her across the globe, from Europe – where she was based in the United Kingdom and Germany – and to Asia where she’s worked across China and India. Before moving to Myanmar, Veronique spent nearly a decade in Thailand. She is fluent in four languages, including Thai.
Christmas Spirit Comes to Frankfurt Airport:
The days are growing shorter, the nights are becoming chillier, and there is a growing appetite for gingerbread and mulled wine – in other words, Christmas is just around the corner. Frankfurt Airport has caught the spirit, is turning on the lights and hanging up the tinsel just in time for the Christmas season.
Some 300 shops, restaurants and services will be pulling out the stops to ensure a unique experience for visitors during the run-up to Noël. Singing angels will be creating a festive mood in international departures. On the four Advent weekends in December, a calligrapher will be decorating Christmas tree ornaments in Terminal 1, Concourse B. There will also be winter fun and games: passengers can partake in digital snowball fights, or try their luck with the wheel of fortune – and perhaps win discounts for airport shops. Money-off coupons will also be distributed in shops in the international departure lounge and are additionally available online. Plus, there will be seasonal culinary specialties to be enjoyed in cafés and restaurants.
Shops and restaurants at Frankfurt Airport will be open throughout the holiday season: on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve until 6 p.m., on Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day from 9 a.m. Normal opening hours apply on Boxing Day (December 26).
It is not just the terminals that have recognized the fast-approaching reindeer.Frankfurt Airport Online Shop has embraced its digital Santa Claus with a variety of special offers and gift ideas – including traditional items, such as fragrances and jewelry, but also headphones, famous brands of liquor, and gastronomic treats. Passengers can reserve products online for later collection. Travelers resident in Germany can also arrange for the order to be delivered to their home as long as their destination is in an EU country.
Last-minute shoppers still looking for the perfect present on December 23 are well advised to make their way to the airport. Whereas stores in the city of Frankfurt will be closed on Sunday, the airport will be providing last-minute Christmas shopping, with seasonal offers and promotions amidst a festive atmosphere. Approximately half the shops are located in the pre-security areas of the terminals, and are therefore accessible to the general public.
In line with its declared vision: “Gute Reise! We make it happen,” the airport operator Fraport has placed the focus firmly on passengers and their personal needs. With this philosophy in mind, Fraport continues to develop new services and initiatives designed to improve the airport experience and enhance customer centricity at Germany’s most important aviation hub.
More information on the many and varied services available at Frankfurt Airport can be found at www.frankfurt-airport.com, in the Service Shop and via the airport’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channel
Hotel Opening: DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai Nanxiang
The DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai Nanxiang is now open. Located in the culturally historic 1,500-year-old town of Nanxiang, now an up-and-coming Central Business District (CBD) in Shanghai Jiading.
As the only international hotel in Nanxiang, the modern business hotel prides itself as an ideal destination for business travelers with extensive meeting and recreational facilities. DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai Nanxiang is owned by Junfeng International Group and managed by Hilton.
“With its strategic proximity to several industrial, automobile zones, and the Hongqiao transportation hub, this property is not only Jiading District’s first international hotel, but is also a strong addition to the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio, as it caters to the growing demands of the district’s many business travelers,” said Qian Jin, area president, Greater China and Mongolia, Hilton. “A rapidly developing center for commerce and a growing industrial hub, Nanxiang serves as a strategic location for Hilton as we continue to make significant investments to exceed the expectations of the region’s modern business and leisure travelers.”
Centara Hotels: Three new hotels in Laos
Centara Hotels & Resorts, r, announced it has signed management agreements for three new properties with a combined total of 216 keys, with Asia Investment, Development & Construction Sole Co., Ltd (AIDC), a well-established enterprise in Laos.
In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, Centara plans to open an upper upscale Centara Grand Luang Prabang and a midscale Centra by Centara property, both near the town centre. The third property will be under Centara’s new lifestyle brand, COSI, catering to the growing segment of connected, freedom-loving travellers. It will represent a unique offering in Vientiane, the Laotian capital.
The management agreement comes as Laos launches ambitious new plans to promote tourism. In recent years, the government of the Lao PDR has come to regard tourism as a priority sector for driving socio-economic development. It hopes to attract 5 million visitors in 2018 and increasing numbers in the years ahead with a Visit Laos campaign under the slogan “Simply Beautiful.” The country’s picturesque mountains, atmospheric towns, and humble friendliness are being discovered by Thai, Chinese and Western visitors. And it has one factor particularly in its favour: superb value. According to a new report from the Swiss-based World Economic Forum, Laos ranks 14th among 136 countries in price competitiveness.
“This partnership with AIDC is a great opportunity to expand our footprint into a distinctive country,” said Centara CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat. “Laos is on the list of more and more travellers to this region, and we want to serve them with the distinct and varied accommodation options to match the travel experience they are seeking.”
Luang Prabang is the well-preserved, old spiritual city at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers. Although well-served by direct flights to its airport and modern amenities, it lives up to its World Heritage status with beautiful temples and traditional riverside life. Bicycles outnumber cars. Delicious baguettes, croissants, cafés and French restaurants hint at the French colonial history in both Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
Pheutsapha Phoummasak, President of AIDC Laos said “We are excited to partner with Centara to bring their trusted brands to these great cities and further promote the tourism potential of Laos. Luang Prabang and Vientiane are very popular destinations for both Thai and international travelers thanks to their perfect blend of history, beautiful scenery and charming character”
The three new hotels are the latest evidence of Centara’s expansion strategy, which calls for doubling the number of properties under its management during the next five years. This latest development will see Centara’s hotel count in Laos reach four with Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse already well under development and scheduled to open in 2020.
Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur is now open
Hyatt and UEM Sunrise Berhad today announced the opening of the long-awaited Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, Mont’Kiara, marking the brand’s entry into the extended stay hotel segment in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region.
The Hyatt House hotel is strategically located in the exclusive, cosmopolitan community of Mont’Kiara, only minutes away from the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), the nation’s largest exhibition center.
With 298 guestrooms and fully equipped kitchen suites, the hotel currently stands as the largest Hyatt House hotel in the world, featuring a full three-meal restaurant, 3,200 square feet (300 square meters) of meeting space, a 24-hour workout room, infinity sky pool, and the TEN 37 Skypool Bar, which features a captivating view of the Kuala Lumpur city skyline. Be it the uprooted business traveler or the uncompromising tourist, Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, Mont’Kiara offers the best in modern essentials, and contemporary home comfort for all.
“Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, Mont’Kiara is located in a very desirable area, and we are looking forward to creating a positive travel experience for each and every guest,” said General Manager Mr. Bennett Peter. “The Hyatt House brand is everything the name represents — a welcoming and warm environment that encourages guests to live like residents. We want each and every guest who comes through our doors to feel that they can let their real-life routines roll on, even when they are on the road.”
Located in the heart of Mont’Kiara, an affluent suburb located three miles (five kilometers) from central Kuala Lumpur, Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, Mont’Kiara is surrounded by recreational options, including the best in premium international dining, retail, niche lifestyle stores, and vibrant nightlife.
