UTracks welcomes landmark tourism deal

News of an historic tourism deal being signed over the weekend between Paris and London, has been welcomed by the team at UTracks, Australia's leading active European holiday specialist.

UTracks have been promoting experiences that link both sides of the English Channel for some years now.

Tackling Brexit head on, London and Paris have signed an historic deal, in which the two cities will be jointly promoted to attract more overseas visitors.

It marks the first time the two cities have cooperated to promote tourism and comes as UK begins the formal process of withdrawing from the European Union (EU).
 

South America's First Luxury Train

Interest in South American Rail Spikes with Continent's First Luxury Train

According to Rail Plus, interest in South American rail journeys have always enjoyed strong growth, but the impending launch of the Belmond Andean Explorer in May, the continent's very first luxury train, is taking interest levels to a whole new level.

With year-on-year sales doubling from 2015 to 2016 for the company's current South American train experiences, Commercial Director of Rail Plus, Ingrid Kocijan, says as May 2017 approaches, the overwhelming interest pouring in for the brand new journey will not be slowing down any time soon, with tickets already being sold through the company's Great Train Journeys portfolio.

"South America remains one of the more exotic parts of the world for many rail travellers as the journeys take them through some of the world's most rough and raw terrains, remote villages and unspoiled nature reserves," says Kocijan. "There is, of course, also the element of affordability when compared to other Great Rail Journeys around the world.

The brand new Belmond Andean Explorer offers travellers a stunning new experience between Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, and the glassy Lake Titicaca. With four itineraries to choose from - the 1D/1N
Spirit of the Andes which goes from Puno to Cusco; the 1D/1N Spirit of the Water, the returning Cusco-Puno journey; the 2D/2N Andean Plains and Islands of Discovery which departs Arequipa to Cusco via Puno; and the 2D2N Peruvian Highlands, the return journey from Cusco-Arequipa-Puno - rail enthusiasts can easily tailor their journey according to the direction they are travelling.

All three cabin categories (bunk, twin and double) featuring ensuite facilities and Peru's hand woven fabrics will ensure travellers the utmost comfort, while the two dining cars serving menus designed by chefs from
Cusco's Belmond Hotel Monasterio will spoil palates with the best of local seasonal flavours.

Prices for this brand new luxury Peruvian experience starts from AU$676 per couple and includes all meals and tours. The Belmond Andean Explorer is the fourth addition to Rail Plus' South American offering which includes the Andean Explorer, the Belmond Hiram Bingham and Vistadome.

Festival time in Macau

Creating yet another splash in Macao this year is the annual International Dragon Boat Festival and a series of action-packed races and events that will have onlookers on the edge of their seats.

With thousands of supporters converging on the shores of Nam Van Lake, the highly-charged festival – to be held on May 27, 28 and 30 – attracts teams from around the globe, including Australia, to compete for the coveted trophies.

However, despite the dragon boat festival's widespread appeal, it is only one of a number of exciting - and vibrant - festivals and events to fill the Macao calendar which, for 2017, includes:

· A- Ma Festival (April 19), where locals pay homage to Macao's most popular deity, the Goddess of Seafarers, from whom Macao is said to derive its name.

· 28th Macao Arts Festival (April 28 to May 31) Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, this year's festival carries the theme "Heterotopia" through texts, stories, images, music and imagery and makes up 25 shows and exhibitions, which, combined with the overall program, total more than 100 activities,

· 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest (September to October) Universally acclaimed as one of the best of its kind, the contest takes place on the shorefront of the Macau Tower each weekend from September to October with 16 teams from around the world competing.

· 17th Macau Food Festival (November 10-26) With the 338-metre-high Macau Tower as a backdrop, 120 local restaurants merge with 26 invited food and beverage merchants to put on this special food festival near Sai Van Lake.

· 64th Macau Grand Prix (November 16-19), a long-standing street motor racing event referred to as the proving ground of new legends. The Formula 3 challenge from the carnival is internationally recognised as the longest running event of its kind and most prestigious on the local calendar.

· Parade through Macao, Latin City (December 3) Marks the anniversary of Macao's Handover to China and highlights Macao's cultural features. Prepare for artists to present dazzlingly colourful performances, bringing the celebration to a vivid climax.

· 36th Macau International Marathon (December 3) Held on the same day as the parade, runners from around the world pound the streets of Macao. For those less physically inclined, there's a half marathon and mini event.

· Macao Light Festival (Dec 3-31) Like Sydney's Vivid, this festival brings to life small squares and major historic buildings through neon lights and colourful 3D mapping.

· International Film Festival and Awards (December) Macao will roll out the red carpet and reach for the stars at its second annual AFFAM, screening films from Asia and beyond in Europe and South America.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office: www.macaotourism.gov.mo

Uniworld Joie de Vivre set sails

The Boutique River Cruise Collection's First Super Ship to Sail the Seine River Embarks on Inaugural Journey through Northern France

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection's newest Super Ship, the S.S. Joie de Vivre, set sail yesterday on its maiden voyage along the historic Seine River. The inaugural events included a christening ceremony in Paris led by the ship's Godmother, Dame Joan Collins. Following the event, the S.S. Joie de Vivre embarked on its journey through Northern France along Uniworld's Paris & Normandy itinerary, with unique programming in celebration of the highly anticipated launch.

"We are delighted to welcome the S.S. Joie de Vivre to our impeccable fleet of floating boutique luxury hotels, as the first of Uniworld's Super Ships to sail the renowned Seine River," said Ellen Bettridge, President & CEO of Uniworld. "Our company has brought travellers to France for more than 70 years and we are thrilled to introduce a new, enticing way to experience the country. Godmother Dame Joan epitomises the same 'joy of living' philosophy embodied by the S.S. Joie de Vivre, and we are honoured to have had her christen the ship before its inaugural journey."

With a length of 125 metres, rather than the typical 135 metres, the S.S. Joie de Vivre can conveniently dock in the heart of Paris in the shadow of its most beloved landmark, the Eiffel Tower. The ship has two Royal Suites, eight Junior Suites, and 54 staterooms for a maximum capacity of 128 guests. Sailings on the S.S. Joie de Vivre in 2017 run from 2 April to 27 December.

The family-run design team from Uniworld's sister brand, Red Carnation Hotels, has bestowed their creative talents on the S.S. Joie de Vivre with bright, colourful and classic design and décor inspired by 20th Century Parisian influence from the Golden Twenties to the free-spirited Sixties, all blending seamlessly with modern conveniences. The ship features a design influenced by its destination and reminiscent of the finest super yachts across the globe, including highly-polished wood finishes throughout the vessel, each surrounded by luxurious fabrics and carpets in a minimalistic setting.

Farm-to-table cuisine and superb local wines are on display throughout the ship's culinary venues, including Restaurant Le Pigalle, Salon Toulouse, Le Bistrot. Le Cave des Vins is the S.S Joie de Vivre's hidden gem – an intimate venue for an exclusive hands-on dining experience. Guests select fresh ingredients and prepare a seven-course meal with the ship's onboard chefs, with French wine pairings from the sommelier.

Passengers are invited to relax and indulge their senses at Club L'Esprit, the onboard spa and wellness venue. Club L'Esprit offers a variety of massage therapies and beauty treatments, as well as a fitness centre. Yoga sessions and aquatic fitness classes are also offered daily and refreshing smoothies are served in the L'Esprit Bar.

A pool with a hydraulic floor transforms the space from day to night for guest entertainment. By night the venue becomes Claude's and offers an authentic French Supper Club experience, serving delicious delights from a tapas menu accompanied by curated cocktails with live music. For a few nights throughout the duration of the journey, Claude's presents classic French cinema under the stars.

The S.S. Joie De Vivre joins the Uniworld fleet which feature all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, as well as voyages in Russia, China, India, Egypt, Vietnam and Cambodia – a total of 22 rivers in 26 countries worldwide.

For more details or booking, please visit uniworld.com Follow the inaugural sailing on Uniworld's social media community at facebook.com/uniworldrivercruises, instagram.com/uniworldcruises or twitter.com/UniworldAUS using the hashtag #ExperienceJDV.

Silversea Silver Cloud new designs revealed

The ship's multi-million dollar refurbishment to set new standards in luxury expedition cruising

Silversea has released a selection of renderings showcasing the beautifully crafted Silver Cloud interiors ahead of her conversion into an ice-class expedition ship, which will take place between August and October this year. Silver Cloud, which launched the Silversea fleet in 1994, will offer the ultra-luxury distinctions of a classic Silversea ship combined with the strength and maneuverability required for expedition cruising.

The new renderings highlight the luxurious design of Silver Cloud's public spaces including La Terrazza, The Restaurant, Observation Lounge, Panorama Lounge, and Venetian Lounge. The extensive refurbishment will include the creation of the Observation lounge, new teak flooring, upholstery and lighting in La Terrazza and new carpet and upholstery in The Restaurant. Silver Cloud will also feature a new gym with Technogym equipment.

In addition to interior updates, the multi-million dollar refurbishment will strengthen Silver Cloud's hull enabling her to explore polar waters. Silver Cloud's transition to an ice-class vessel will bring expedition guests the luxury, style and comfort synonymous with Silversea's classic ships. A guest capacity of 260 in non-polar regions and just 200 in polar regions means that guests will enjoy the highest levels of personalised and attentive service on board. The limited capacity in polar regions also means that all guests can disembark at the same time to explore each region.

"As the first ship in our fleet, Silver Cloud has a special place in Silversea's history, and we're delighted to reveal further details of her refurbishment. We look forward to welcoming guests aboard to experienceSilver Cloud's luxurious interiors as well as her incredible itineraries later this year," said Barbara Muckermann, Chief Marketing Officer at Silversea Cruises.

When Silver Cloud was launched in 1994 by Antonio Lefebvre, it set a new standard in luxury cruising. His son, Manfredi Lefebvre became chairman of Silversea in 2001 and has since expanded the fleet from four to eight vessels with a ninth currently under construction. The expansion has included the introduction of expedition cruising with the launch of Silver Explorer in 2008.

Silver Cloud will also have a team of up to 19 dedicated experts on hand to ensure guests leave with the best experiences from their voyages, whether they are the sights, the sounds, the history or the stories. Daily presentations and lectures by experts in the state-of-the-art theatre will also be streamed live to all suites.

For a copy of the Silver Cloud brochure or for more information contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 (Australia) or 0800 701 427 (New Zealand), or visit www.silversea.com

MSC Cruises new generational mega ship MSC Meraviglia

MSC Cruises introduces flexible dining options – starting with MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside

MSC Cruises, the world's largest privately-owned cruise line, revealed their new innovative dining concepts – available on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside.

Designed to meet the needs of today's cruise guests, the MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside will introduce flexible dining options and packages. These can be booked at any time prior to embarkation and whilst on board, with the ability to change it at any time during their cruise. For Fantastica booked clients the flexi dining options gives them the chance to choose their dining time in the main restaurant and the opportunity throughout the cruise, to change this timing to suit their needs. Clients will be able to allocate a dining time to their Fantastica booking from 60 days prior to sailing through their Manage your Booking on the website or throughout their cruise onboard. For Bella cruisers the Classic cruise dining experience is still available, with a choice of two sittings each evening. This is popular with guests who prefer a dedicated table each night - with personalised service from the same waiter.

MSC Aurea clients continue to enjoy "My Choice Dining" in the main restaurant for complete freedom, whilst MSC Yacht Club guests enjoy their dedicated MSC Yacht Club restaurant with free-time dining, with the option of reserving a table in advance for ease.

Casual dining venues are available for all guests 20 hours-a-day. The MSC Cruises buffet has been enhanced with a range of international food experiences. MSC Seaside will feature two casual dining venues, one of which will feature family-friendly options and child-friendly seating.

Speciality restaurants gives guests opportunities to experience cuisines from around the world. MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside will feature restaurants with innovative 'open kitchens' to experience chefs at work. Selected restaurants on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside will also feature a Chef's Table deal
.
MSC Cruises will introduce a new Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant on board MSC Meraviglia to complement the ship's Kaito Sushi Bar. With a modern twist on Asian cuisine, guests can sit at cooking stations and watch chefs cooking at an open grill.

The Butcher's Cut, a new American Steakhouse restaurant concept, will celebrate the craft heritage of America. Guests can select steak from glass-fronted meat ageing fridges before chefs prepare fresh dishes in the open kitchen. The bold wine list features an appealing selection to complement the dishes. Cocktails are also inspired by American heritage, while guests can savour a wide range of craft beers.

MSC Seaside will also feature Ocean Cay a signature seafood restaurant. This will serve American-style fish dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Dishes will include Stone Crabs (a delicacy in the homeport of Miami), beautiful fresh Sea Bass (flown in from the Mediterranean) and homemade spaghetti alle vongole (with clams).

Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi will be a highlight on MSC Seaside. Three restaurants, created by the Japanese-American chef, will consist of: an à la carte restaurant serving gourmet Asian creations, a Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki Grill (each offering an authentic pan-Asian dining experience).

MSC Cruises is partnering with experts for dining experiences on new and existing ships. Roy Yamaguchi, world-renowned chef, is collaborating for the MSC Seaside. Chef Yamaguchi is involved in conceptualising and designing the new pan-Asian restaurant.

A long-standing partnership with Michelin chef Carlo Cracco will now encompass signature dishes for the main restaurant menus on MSC Meraviglia, including the Christmas and New Year menus.

Jean-Philippe Maury, French chocolatier and pastry chef, will bring sweet creations to the MSC Meraviglia. Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café will feature an open chocolate atelier. Jean-Philippe Crêpes & Gelato will serve tasty treats at the ship's Mediterranean-style promenade.

MSC Cruises is introducing dining packages that can be booked prior to the cruise. Guests on-board the MSC Meraviglia can book a Dinner & Show Package for an exclusive table d'hôte menu and then experience a Cirque du Soleil at Sea performance in the purpose-built Carousel Lounge.
A special dining package Eataly Chef's Table will be available on the MSC Meraviglia, offering seven gourmet dishes cooked to perfection and all perfectly matched with seven wines. A package can be booked in advance to explore each of the speciality restaurants.

Find out about all of the new dining packages at: https://www.msccruises.com.au/en-au/Already-Booked/Cruise-Upgrade/Speciality-Restaurants.aspx

Air Kiribati, Solomon Airlines sign agreement for new air links

Air Kiribati and Solomon Airlines have signed an agreement establishing a new aviation service linking Tarawa with Honiara, Brisbane and Nadi (Fiji).

The agreement holds even more significance for the Kiribati national carrier which recently relaunched as an international airline following a decision by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to provide the carrier with its official two letter designate code – IK.   

At an official signing taking place in Tarawa, the Kiribati Minister for Transport, Information, Communication, and Tourism Development, the Hon. Willie Tokataake heralded the signing as important both in its capacity to significantly boosts aviation access into Kiribati and also build on both countries' existing strong links.

"There is no doubt this new agreement will boost economic development opportunities and in particular tourism and export opportunities for Kiribati," the Minister said.

Welcoming the agreement, Solomon Airlines CEO, Brett Gerbers described the signing as an  important step for both airlines and would play a key role in forging an even closer relationship with Kiribati.

"Our partnership with Air Kiribati is an important one and we very much look forward to working together to see this become a success,

"This service is more than just a link between two nations – it is also an avenue for both nations to grow and prosper as we walk forward together."

Echoing Mr Gerber's words, Air Kiribati CEO, Tarataake Teannaki  aid his airline was excited to be working with an airline partner which understood the travel needs of both the Kiribati people and Air Kiribati.

"This service will be a major step up and will give the Kiribati people new options to travel beyond our islands," Mr Teannaki said.

Service start date and the service schedules will be announced in coming weeks with an official launch to be held in Tarawa. 

The development builds on an agreement signed last November for a new Air Service Agreement (ASA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Solomon Islands and Republic of Kiribati.

Aimed at promoting aviation between the two countries as one sector, the MOU is already showing development on a raft of activities intended to contribute to both countries' social and economic development.

W: www.flysolomons.com    
F: www.facebook.com/flysolomons