Month: June 2019

Routes and Travel Time

Thalys is a high-speed train service conveniently linking the European cities of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Brussels (Belgium), Cologne (Germany), Paris (France) and 15 other major leisure and business capitals.

On Board Services - There are 3 classes of service: Premium Fares, 1st class and 2nd Class

• All trains are Non-Smoking
• Refurbished interior and spacious seating
• Reclining seats with comfortable headrest and footrest
• Individual reading lights
• Spacious luggage storage, at eye-sight
• Ambient lighting, softer and natural

Family-focused activities, shore excursions, dining and staterooms make a cruise an ideal vacation. Select summer Alaska and Europe cruises up to half off and guests in the same stateroom sail free when booked by July 15.

Cruising has long been known as one of the best vacation values there is for families, extended multi-generational family groups and friends traveling together with their families. You can still enjoy a cruise this summer with Holland America Line’s “Who’s in Your Crew?” promotion featuring fares that are up to 50 percent off select Alaska and Europe cruise fares. Plus, third and fourth children or adults in the same stateroom sail free.

Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, is giving travelers yet another look at more stunningly designed guest suites on its two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships set to launch in June 2021 and May 2022, respectively. The Veranda, Panorama Veranda, and Penthouse suite categories are masterfully designed spaces by Adam D. Tihany, that will provide beautiful, relaxing accommodations on Seabourn Venture and her soon-to-be-named sister ship.

The entire all-suite collection on the two ships is defined by comfortable, thoughtfully crafted bespoke furniture, enticing tactile materials and unique details that capture timeless luxury travel in a contemporary and engaging environment designed to elevate every aspect of the Seabourn expedition experience.

“All of our spacious suites provide the expedition traveler with equal parts of adventure together with the best in luxury accommodation and service,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. “Seabourn’s suites are created to invite guests to linger longer as we take them to diverse and remote locales around the world.”

Elegant design elements such as parchment texture inspired wall panels and curvilinear arches reflect bygone maritime craftsmanship. Custom bedside panels recall luxury travel from another era yet are decidedly current with toggle switches, an analog clock and a fold away reading lamp, perfect for curling up with a custom Seabourn blanket. Guests are drawn into the space with organic shapes, materials like wood and stone, and intricately textured fabrics. Spacious bathrooms with separate shower and bathtub feature luxurious fittings. The ship’s art collection, curated to reflect that of a seasoned explorer, will extend beyond public areas into the ship’s all ocean front with private veranda suites as well.

Each suite will also have a built-in heated jacket wardrobe, where guests can grab a warm coat before heading out on a cool morning or hang their wet outdoor parkas and other gear to dry quickly once they return from adventures off the ship.

Specific details on each of the suite categories revealed include:

Veranda Suite: The most plentiful suite category found on Seabourn ships, the veranda suite has all the luxuries for guests to make this their home away from home. Veranda suites include a separate seating area with a coffee/dining table for two, which is ideal for in-suite dining at any time of day. A queen-sized or two twin beds, spacious walk-in closet with ample room for a traveler’s wardrobe, and sliding glass door leading to a private furnished veranda round out the accommodations.

Total space: 355 sq. ft. (33 sq. m.) including veranda of 78 sq. ft. (7 sq. m.)*

Veranda Spa Suite: These two suites, located on Deck 7, feature the same amenities as the Veranda Suite and include additional in-suite spa amenities and spa concierge service available in conjunction with Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, including a selection of blossoming teas and fresh juices, perfect for guests who enjoy healthy doses of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Total space: 355 sq. ft. (33 sq. m.) including veranda of 78 sq. ft. (7 sq. m.)

Veranda Suite

Panorama Veranda Suite: A new for Seabourn suite category featuring a semi-circular living area with comfortable seating and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows providing guests a spectacular perspective of the world outside including sweeping views from their suite. A queen-sized bed or twin beds are also oriented to face the windows, allowing guests to enjoy views of beautiful scenery and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.

The bathroom features a separate shower and large soaking tub placed next to a window, providing relaxing views to the private furnished veranda and scenic outdoor landscapes.

Total space: 417 sq. ft. (39 sq. m.) including veranda of 85 sq. ft. (8 sq. m.)

Panorama Veranda Suite

Penthouse Suite: Each of the Penthouse Suites, located on Deck 8, affords a sophisticated environment that includes a living area with dining table for two to enjoy in-suite dining at any time of day, high-definition TV, large windows that bring in plenty of natural light, a sliding glass door to the private furnished veranda, and makeup vanity. A separate bedroom that can be closed off from the rest of the suite has its own high-definition TV and is adjacent to a marble-lined bathroom with separate shower and bathtub. Penthouse Suites also come with a convenient Nespresso® machine with a variety of coffee choices.

otal space: 529 (49 sq. m.) including veranda of 96. (9 sq. m.)

Penthouse Suite

Penthouse Spa Suite: The Penthouse Spa suite, located on Deck 7, is the accommodation of choice for the traveler who would like to stay near the onboard spa & wellness facilities. This suite features the same amenities as the Penthouse Suite along with added in-suite spa amenities in conjunction with Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil for the guest with wellness in mind, including a selection of blossoming teas and fresh juices.

Total space: 637 sq. ft. (59 sq. m.) including veranda of 205 sq. ft. (19 sq. m.)

*Some veranda sizes vary.

Guests with disabilities will also find accessible suites available in both the Penthouse and Veranda categories.

The suites feature several pieces from the custom furniture collection created for the expedition ships by Tihany’s product design arm and developed by a leading European furniture manufacturer. The collection is highlighted by crafted details such as wood frames, exposed rivet details and bronze inlays.

For this latest project with Seabourn, Tihany will develop the design vision for public areas and all categories of luxurious guest suites, as well as a bespoke furniture collection. Additional renderings of these spaces can be found in the link here.

All suites on Seabourn Venture and her sister ship will include:

• A personal suite stewardess to ensure everything in your suite is always as you wish
• Private, ocean-front furnished verandas
• Twin or queen-sized bed with a luxurious custom-built mattress, fine cotton linens, fluffy all-season duvet and a choice of firm or soft pillows
• Ample storage and walk-in closets with plush terry robes, slippers and a personal safe
• An in-suite bar with a selection of beverages and requested complimentary wines or spirits
• Interactive entertainment with broadcast TV and hundreds of movie and music choices
• A bath with a full tub, separate shower and luxury products featuring an exclusive signature scent created for Seabourn by Molton Brown, London
• Complimentary PressReader® app bringing favorite newspapers and magazines to your phone or tablet
• Unique to Seabourn Venture, Swarovski® binoculars for guests to use during the voyage, widely regarded as some of the world’s best by expedition travelers, naturalists, and wildlife spotters. 

More details about public spaces and suites on the new expedition ships will continue to be revealed in the coming months. Itineraries for the first season of travel aboard Seabourn Venture are now open for booking on Seabourn’s website.

Seabourn continues to represent the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all 100% ocean front; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations, including marquee cities, more than 170 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways.

Source: www.seabourn.com

For the second year in a row Aeroflot has won three categories at the World Travel Awards Europe: Europe’s Leading Airline Brand, Europe’s Leading Airline – Business Class and Europe’s Leading Airline to Asia.

Known unofficially as the Oscars of the tourism industry, the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony took place on 8 June in Funchal, the capital of Portugal’s Madeira archipelago, known as the Pearl of the Atlantic.

The World Travel Awards honour leading representatives of the travel, hospitality and civil aviation industries.

Throughout the year, prizes are awarded on a regional, national and global level. Winners are determined via online voting, with hundreds of thousands of professionals and millions of travellers taking part. The main criteria for evaluation are product quality and level of service. 

The World Travel Awards for Europe’s Leading Airline Brand and Europe’s Leading Airline – Business Class once again confirm the position of Russia’s flag carrier as a leading global airline in terms of quality of service and the degree of comfort afforded by its business class.

 Recognition as Europe’s Leading Airline to Asia is confirmation of Aeroflot’s long-term leadership in the highly competitive Europe-Asia transit market.

Further development of services in this market is a key priority and one of the main growth drivers for Aeroflot, Russia’s leading airline.

Aeroflot’s leading positions in a number of the world’s regions are confirmed by various international accolades and ratings, including awards received this year. Aeroflot was named the world's strongest airline brand for the third year in a row by Brand Finance, the leading independent brand valuation consultancy.

APEX awarded Aeroflot for Best Seat Comfort in Europe.

In Asia, Aeroflot was named Best China-Europe Transit Airline at the Stars Awards held in Shanghai in January 2019. On top of that, this year Aeroflot was recognised as China’s Favourite International Airline for the third consecutive year.

Source:Aeroflot news

Holland America Line’s new EZpay makes it a breeze to budget for a dream cruise vacation and pay it off over time. EZpay spreads out the cruise balance into equal, interest-free monthly payments leading up to final payment. The plan gives guests the flexibility to pay for their cruise at their own pace, with the ability to opt out at any time without penalty.

Nearly all of Holland America Line’s worldwide itineraries are eligible for EZpay, as long as they are not within the final payment deadline. Following the payment of a cruise deposit, EZpay charges a supplied credit card once a month to pay for the cruise balance in full by the final payment deadline, and there are no additional fees.

Guests can choose the date of the monthly charge and a confirmation is sent following each payment. Extra funds also can be added to a payment, with the remaining balance recalculated into equal amounts.

To sign up for EZpay, guests can request it when booking a cruise with a travel advisor or a Holland America Line representative. EZpay may be requested at any time leading up to final payment.

Source: www.hollandamerica.com