Helsinki in heavy metal alliance with Tallinn

#helsinki

In Finland, a tough competition is underway to see which city earns the global title of Capital of Metal. We already know that Finland has more metal bands per capita than any other country. Now, The Capital of Metal campaign is determining which Finnish city deserves to be known internationally as the Capital of Metal. As the end of the contest draws closer, the top places are occupied by two eastern Finnish locations: Lemi and Joensuu. This represents a significant challenge to the national capital, Helsinki. In response, it is reaching out with an international request for help. Helsinki proposes forming a double metropolis together with its neighbour across the Gulf of Finland: Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

Helsinki's elected officials and its metal fans believe that Helsinki needs to up the ante in view of Eastern Finland's domination of the contest. To this end, Helsinki is asking Tallinn to join it and form a double city, Hellinn, allowing Estonian metal bands to lend Helsinki a hand.

"Helsinki is a focal point for metal fans everywhere, and it's the home of the Tuska Festival," says Nasima Razmyar, Helsinki's deputy mayor for culture and leisure. "We deserve the title Capital of Metal, but as is often the case, you attain success by reaching out to strategic partners. That's why we're suggesting teaming up with Tallinn. In this fierce contest, the strength of the greater Helsinki metropolitan area is coming up short against the leading duo of Lemi and Joensuu. We need an international boost."

As part of the new Hellinn region, Estonian bands would be able to visit the Capital of Metal website and join forces with their peers in Helsinki. This would also represent a step towards the long-awaited process of making the two cities into a unified region.

"Metal music knows no borders," says Jussi69, a mainstay of metal in Helsinki and a member of the band The 69 Eyes. "We believe that Tallinn's metal bands and fans will answer our call. Together we'll raise the flag of a new, double city – long live Hellinn! Long live rock, peace and love!"

Capital of Metal contest continues through June 20

Finnish bands can add their info to the Capital of Metal website through June 20. The organisers will announce the winner of the Capital of Metal title – the municipality with the most metal bands per capita – on June 21. If the heavy metal brothers and sisters of Estonia decide to heed Helsinki's call and contribute their help, then bands from Estonia can also participate in the remaining phase of the campaign. The request is being submitted to the City of Tallinn and the Estonian metal community. Helsinki looks forward to hearing their response.

Fans of Finnish heavy metal around the world can participate by "liking" their favourite bands on the Capital of Metal website: www.capitalofmetal.fi. Participating bands and fans enter a draw for record shop gift certificates. Participants tagging Estonian bands to Hellinn on the website also have a chance to win a VIP trip to Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Helsinki June 29 – July 1.

The Capital of Metal campaign is backed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Sony Music Finland, Tuska Open Air Metal Festival, Musamaailma instrument and gear shop, Record Shop X and the cities of Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kemi, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Oulu, Tampere and Vaasa – as well as all the other metal cities and towns of Finland, of course.

www.capitalofmetal.fi

Australia’s largest hotel fish-tank revealed

Australia’s largest hotel fish-tank has been unveiled at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour today, providing a spectacularly vivid welcome to Sydney for visitors from around the world.

The aquarium is a central focus for all guests arriving at the hotel, with the 12 metre, 12,000 litres fish-tank boasting over 50 marine species, including many fish varieties from ‘The Tank Gang’, which starred in ‘Finding Nemo’, the famous animated film set in Sydney Harbour and along Australia’s east coast..

The tropical aquarium is designed to evoke Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and features many of the fish that appeared in Nemo, such as the Ocellaris Orange Clownfish, Ocellaris Black and White Clownfish, and Damselfish, along with Barrier Reef Chromis, Green Chromis, Humbugs, Blue Lined Surgeon, and Flame Anthias.

The giant fish-tank is the inspiration of the Sofitel’s owner, Dr Jerry Schwartz, who has introduced aquariums to a number of his other hotels in Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

“Australia is dominated by its seascape, and we wanted to give visitors a really meaningful and vivid experience when they checked in,” said Dr Schwartz.

“We have had tremendous reactions wherever we’ve installed fish-tanks because they are not only so colourful, they provide a very calming experience, especially after someone has flown around the world to get to Sydney.

“Of course, this aquarium had to be particularly memorable given that the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour was the city’s first new-build international 5-star hotel this millennium and is housed in such a prominent building.

“Just like our guests, the fish originate from all over the world, and even if our guests can’t get to places like the Great Barrier Reef to see ‘Nemo’ and his friends in the wild, they will be able to appreciate them during their stay in Sydney”.

Fiji Airways to be first oneworld connect partner

Introducing oneworld connect - a new way for airlines to link to the world's premier alliance

·      Fiji Airways to be first oneworld connect partner
·      Talks progressing with other carriers from around the world

oneworld today launches a new platform for linking up to the world's premier airline alliance – enabling customers to enjoy more services and benefits across an even more extensive global network.

The first airline to join in the new capacity as a oneworld connect partner will be Fiji Airways.

A date will be announced in due course for when Fiji Airways will start offering oneworld connect services and benefits (see below).  Meantime, it is business as usual.

oneworld connect is the first new membership platform unveiled by oneworld since the alliance was originally announced 20 years ago.

oneworld is in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the programme, from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Each oneworld connect partner will need to have a minimum of three oneworld members as its sponsors to be initiated into the programme.  The initial oneworld sponsors of Fiji Airways will be all four of oneworld's original founding members - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.  The Australian carrier will additionally mentor Fiji Airways through its oneworld connect implementation process.

American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas already code-share and have frequent flyer links with Fiji Airways.  British Airways and Fiji Airways are currently discussing areas for potential bilateral cooperation.

What oneworld connect means for customers

oneworld connect partners will provide select alliance benefits to frequent flyers from any oneworld member airline travelling on their flights, with a more extensive range of benefits offered with their oneworld sponsors.

Customers with Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status in any oneworld member airline's frequent flyer programme will be able to use priority check-in desks, where available.  Also, customers with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.

The additional benefits offered by oneworld connect partners to customers from their oneworld sponsors and vice versa include:

·      Through check-in of passengers and their baggage for journeys including connections between a connect carrier and any of its oneworld sponsors.

·      The ability to earn and redeem frequent flyer rewards, and earn frequent flyer status points, for eligible flights.  (For customers from oneworld connect airlines, these benefits depend on the oneworld connect partner offering a frequent flyer programme.)

·      Access to select lounges at key airports for First or Business Class passengers or those with eligible top-tier frequent flyer status.

Select other customer benefits may also be offered between oneworld connect partners and their oneworld sponsor airlines.

All oneworld connect partners will make their networks available via Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all oneworld members and select other airlines.   Fiji Airways already does so.

All oneworld connect partners will be required to maintain IATA IOSA safety certification.

oneworld's regular range of services and benefits remain in place for customers flying with the alliance's full member airlines and their affiliates.

CEOs explain oneworld connect's strategic rationale

oneworld Governing Board Chairman Pekka Vauramo, CEO of Finnair, said: "In the 20 years since oneworld's conception in 1998, global airline alliances have expanded their breadth to the extent that they now account for 60 per cent of total industry revenues and capacity globally, and 70 per cent of revenues between the world's top 125 business city airports.

"With most of the world's biggest airlines already signed up, global airline alliances have reached maturity, In the future, oneworld will target as full members large airlines that have a significant presence in the alliance's prime target market, providing connections between the world's leading business centres.  Meantime, oneworld connect enables us to bring together more airlines to complement the alliance's global leaders, so customers can earn rewards and feel recognised while travelling even further."

oneworld CEO Rob Gurney added: "oneworld's current network of more than 1,000 destinations in 150 plus territories offers far-reaching global coverage, but there are still some regions where we would like to strengthen our presence further.  With fewer potential new candidates available to recruit based on our established membership criteria, oneworld connect enables us to link up with other airlines whose networks are relevant to a subset of our members, who cannot meet oneworld's full membership requirements at this stage or who are not interested in full membership at present.

"This enables us and them to offer our customers more services and benefits across an even wider network and strengthen our relationship going forward, with a streamlined and rapid path to full membership later on where it makes sense for all parties."

Fiji Airways CEO Andre Viljoenstated: "Fiji Airways is thrilled and honoured to be the first oneworld connect partner globally.  We are delighted to link Fiji, and the South Pacific to  the world's premier airline alliance and further deepen our relationships in particular with Qantas, American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific.  This important step for our airline enables us to offer more services and benefits to our own customers along with the others in the oneworld family, to achieve a greater presence for our airline internationally and to build on the in-bound tourism that is so vital to our home nation and our region."

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: "As a oneworld founding member, it is great to see the alliance evolve to bring additional benefits to more customers and expand its joint network. We've worked closely with Fiji Airways for many years and are pleased to serve as its mentor as it comes on board as the first oneworld connect partner."

American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parkeradded: "As another oneworld founding member, American Airlines is excited to be playing our part in this latest key development for what has become the world's premier airline alliance, now making access to the South Pacific more attractive than ever."

British Airways Chairman and CEO Alex Cruzstated: "British Airways looks forward to developing links with Fiji Airways as a oneworld connect partner and sponsor, for the benefit of both our airlines, our customers and the wider oneworld community."

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Rupert Hoggconcluded: "Cathay Pacific was proud to play our part in founding oneworld 20 years ago and establishing it as the leading quality alliance – and we are proud today to be playing our part again in getting this exciting new membership platform oneworld connect off the ground, as a sponsor of our long-term code-share partner Fiji Airways."

http://www.oneworld-connect.com/

Intrepid Travel's new Vegan Food Adventures

Intrepid Travel has launched a range of vegan food tours in the world-renowned gastronomic destinations of India, Italy and Thailand in response to a growing plant-based movement.

The new tours will depart in 2019 and were developed by Intrepid Travel’s experienced destination and food product teams with insight from a team of vegan influencers from around the world.

Read full report

Wellington: New Zealand’s Capital City Ranked The Best Place To Live In The World

Deutsch Bank's most recent Liveable City Index has named New Zealand's cool little capital Wellington number one for the second year in a row!

The Deutsche Bank Liveable City Index, ranks world cities in categories such as safety in the city, health care, cost of living, pollution and climate. Wellington has topped the table against bigger and arguably better-known cities including Zurich (2nd), Copenhagen (3rd), Edinburgh (4th) and Vienna (5th).

Wellington is a city best experienced like a local and Wellington Mayor Justin Lester encourages visitors to ditch the maps and guides and get lost in this vibrant, compact city.

"Being the world's best place to live also makes Wellington one of the best places to visit. It has all the benefits of a big city – great restaurants, shopping, art, events, markets – but all in a compact area surrounded by a beautiful harbour on one side, and bush-clad hills on the other.

"On an international scale we are safe, affordable and we've got good transport connections. Most importantly we've got a city full of wonderful people, which makes being here a pleasure."

Colorado's Ghost Towns Inspire Intrepid Journeys and Libation Tours

#IPW18

Colorado's history runs as deep as the silver and gold veins that once lured a surge of fortune seekers here during the late-1800's mining boom.

But when those rich resources went bust, dozens of towns were abandoned—leaving behind saloons, mercantiles and other hallmarks of Wild West life. Catch glimpses of this bygone era in the remains of ghost towns tucked amid high peaks and remote wilderness. Though you'll have to drive a portion of the way to these deserted destinations, take an intrepid approach for the final leg.


ATV/OFF-ROAD VEHICLE

Ghost towns in Colorado range from mere ruins to surprisingly intact hamlets—for the latter, venture St. Elmo, where a few lingering residents run a general store and a guesthouse. Seek the help of Buena Vista's ATV Mountain Adventure Rentals, which will drop you and your rented ride off trailside (and pick you up later), leaving you to explore the dusty, straight-out-of-a-movie set streets on your own. An ATV also comes in handy for a bonus trip to nearby Tin Cup.

Set your sights on Animas Forks, located high in the San Juan Mountains. Just 12 miles away in Silverton, Rock Pirates Backcountry Adventures can hook you up with one of its rugged Tomcar OHVs for a bumpy-yet-scenic excursion up the Alpine Loop Scenic & Historic Byway. Check out nine remaining structures, including the two-story Duncan House with its impressive bay window.


HIKE

The North Park area is home to Teller City, a former silver-mining camp that at one time boasted 27 saloons, hundreds of log cabins and more than 1,500 residents—not too shabby given its dense-forest location. Head southeast of Walden to the Teller City Interpretive Site, then hit the .75-mil loop trail that winds arounds scattered remains of cabins and other artifacts.

The high-altitude setting of Carson (almost 12,000 feet) makes it all the more rewarding for its views of massive peaks. Lake City, situated near the Continental Divide, is your base for this adventure. Hop on the Alpine Loop Scenic & Historic Byway to Wager Gulch Trailhead. The moderate-to-difficult hike is a steady, 3.4-mile climb leading through open meadows and aspen stands to the Carson site.


BIKE

Eleven miles south of Aspen, Ashcroft is one of a few ghost towns that can be visited year-round. But it would be a shame to miss the vivid colors of wildflower season in late summer or fall's brilliant foliage—both ideal times for a two-wheeled ride along Castle Creek Road. Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, Ashcroft is currently maintained by the Aspen Historical Society, and highlights include the still-standing post office, Blue Mirror Saloon and town jail.

Central City escaped a boom-to-bust fate, but hidden just up the hill is Nevadaville, which bustled with some 4,000 people in its heyday. Several original buildings and a few gravesites are left, in addition to the Nevada Lodge No.4, still used by Freemasons for monthly meetings. The route up gravelly County Road 1-S is just over a mile and makes for a nice mountain-bike jaunt.


SNOWSHOE/CROSS-COUNTRY SKI

Wintertime doesn't always mean you can't visit—in fact the scene might have a more ethereal vibe blanketed in snow. South of Ouray lies Ironton Park, home to the slumbering remnants of the Ironton townsite. A local group maintains and grooms Nordic trails after fresh snows, including the roughly 2-mile Townsite Loop, which passes by a two-story Victorian house and the Larson Brother's Mine.

Close to Summit County's popular ski resorts is Mayflower Gulch Trail. Go six miles south of Copper Mountain to the trailhead, then strap on your showshoes for a four-mile round trip to Boston Mine. Your path follows a gently sloped wagon road through forest before opening up to a bowl peppered with old mining cabins and an ore chute at the base of Fletcher Mountain.


JEEP TOUR

Sometimes it's easier—but no less thrilling—to let the pros take the wheel. Telluride Outside guide service is happy to oblige with its 4WD tours in beefed-up Chevy trucks. The Imogene Pass itinerary departs from Telluride toward Tomboy on an intermediate road, meaning the tour is suited to all ages, but you'll still get your kicks. Amenities like tennis courts and a bowling alley once graced the area where a collection of collapsed remains and foundations now exist.

Strike out from Marble on an expedition to Crystal City, courtesy of Crystal River Jeep Tours. Your guide will navigate the terrain while you enjoy dramatic landscapes. Just before the town entrance is the exceptionally picturesque Crystal Mill, perched above the river. Two shops and a dozen cabins are reminders of the once-thriving community, but a few friendly summer residents also carry on.


PIT STOP: HISTORIC COLORADO WATERING HOLES

Detour from the ghost-town quest and relive the Old West at some of Colorado's oldest places to quench your thirst:
The Centennial State's longest-surviving gold-rush-era business, Buffalo Rose Saloon in Golden, got its start as the international Bowling Saloon in 1859.
Though established in 1862, the original building of The Mint in Silverthorne has been taken apart and moved three times.
Inside Aspen's historic Hotel Jerome, J-Bar has been slinging boozy concoctions to the likes of John Wayne and Hunter S Thompson since 1889.
Not much has changed at the New Sheridan Bar in Telluride since its 1895 construction within a hotel of the same name, from the mahogany wood paneling to stiff pours.
Dining and drinking venues have been operating in The Minturn Saloon's Vail Valley location since 1901.

*Exercise caution around all sites and be mindful of rapidly changing weather conditions, especially at high altitude. Taking souvenirs is strictly prohibited, but snap all the photos you like.

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Colorado Makers Movement - delicious innovation

#IPW18

How To Experience Unique Colorado Crafted Offerings Through Workshops, Tasting Rooms, Retail Spots 

Denver, CO – The Maker's movement, in many ways, is a celebration of the feeling that comes with putting your mind and hands to work creating something: an idea, a piece of art, delicious food or healing remedies. And, it's no wonder that the movement is alive and thriving in Colorado. Curiosity and inspiration are bred by the Rocky Mountains, northern plains, and fruitful valleys that build the mosaic of the Centennial state. Find the maker in your during a visit to one (or many) of Colorado's unique maker businesses.


Find inspiration at the Pikes Peak Makerspace

If you aren't driven to any particular craft but are drawn to idea of craftiness, the Pikes Peak Makerspace is the perfect place to wet your feet. In Colorado Springs, the Makerspace is a hub that brings together artists and engineers, entrepreneurs, designers and educators to mix their minds and visions and “revolutionize creativity”. Visitors can tour the space every Friday from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm. Stay a while and sign on for classes like Mill & Lathe Operations, introductions to welding and metal work, and 3D printing for beginners.

It's all in the details: art of the craft at DRAM Apothecary

Born of founder Shae Whitney's deep commitment to Colorado's wild terrain and a love of botany, food science, and ecological agriculture, the DRAM Apothecary in the sleepy town of Salida offers a line of products that are crafted using organic and wild Colorado herbs, foraged from nearby landscapes. Stop by the apothecary for a tasting, and then head home to see what crafty creations (cocktails or otherwise) you're inspired to create of your new bitters and syrups. Or, simply enjoy a cup of hot tea sent straight from the maker's hand.

Bring creativity to the catch: Fly-tying at Peter's Fly Shop

In Fort Collins Colorado, sit down with a community of people who do what they love, and love what they do. Located at the northern edge of Colorado and butting up against Rocky Mountain National Park, the folks at St. Peter's are driven to craft their own wares and inspired by the never-ending learning associated with the challenges of the sport and the nearby access to renowned waters. And, they're available to teach you, too. Intro to fly-tying classes are available (on select dates) throughout the fall and into winter, and private fly-tying classes can be scheduled. Don't miss the opportunity to craft and then test your creation on one of St. Peter's many guided tours.

A labor of love: Cheesemaking at Haystack Mountain

Join the artisan spirit of the maker's movement, and please your stomach to boot. Tours of the cheesemaking process are available Monday-Friday, 10 am – 4pm at the Haystack headquarters in Longmont, CO. Aside from tempting your pallet with some of Haystack's finest chesses— bloomy rind, fresh, Monterey jack, raw milk or washed rind—these tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creamery, an overview of economic fundamentals, and guided cheese tasting. Don't let the journey end there: take the making into your own hands with one of Haystack's “Art of Cheese” classes.

Spin Some Yarns with De Goats N Sheep Ranch in Durango, CO

Spend the day with Wensleydale sheep and Angora goats, stay in the solar-paneled guest house, and put your hands to work at spinning lessons, watercolor felting lessons, knitting and beginning spindle spinning, carding or children's classes. Staying on site, you can pull inspiration from the texture of freshly harvested wool to the scent of pinyon and juniper on the 16-acre dryland pasture in Bayfield, CO.

All about the process at Big B's Cidery (& Delicious Orchards)

From seed to spirit, Big B's Delicious Orchard makes their own cider, juice, vinegar and more. Follow the process by wandering and harvesting from the orchards, sampling juices and ciders, and taking the final product for some campsite enjoyment at the end of a nourishing day. The maker's movement is all about process, and visitors to Big B's can witness it from start to tart, delicious finish.

In love with R & D: high-mountain crafts from Venture Snowboards

Founded in 1999, Venture Snowboards uses Colorado terrain as an endless test-bed for their local, hand-made boards. Creativity and thinking big, paired with epic San Juan Mountain riding out the factory door, all feed the innovative process at Venture. Housed in the rural mountain town of Silverton, CO, Venture offers inspiring events, like Shape Shack, that bring together industry movers and shakers to daydream ways to push the industry envelope. And, while the process is top secret (can't share that special sauce!), their factory showroom offers an exciting peak into the process and high-quality boards for purchase.

Care for the craft, and crafting for care at Osmia Organics

Sarah Villafranco, founder of Osmia Organics, is all about the craft of care. With a background working in the ER, Villafranco brings deep care to the art of making luxerious, safe, skin-care products from the highest quality ingredients. In Carbondale, the space itself is a laboratory of creation (and visitors are welcome); soap making, laboratory clean-work rooms, retail and packaging are all onsite. Sometimes the crafts are best left to the masters, and, since self-care is a must for any form of inspiration and creativity, stop by Osmia and treat yourself.

Keeping in touch with origins at Greeley Hat Co

Entering the store in Greeley is to revisit an era of Maker's long-past and newly revived; the remnants of a bygone era decorate the store and line the shelves. Simultaneously hat shop and museum, Greeley Hat Co offers a peek into the past and a glimpse at the present of hat making. These fine-quality hats are all built one at a time, by hands. Find inspiration in the space and the feel of the hats, and then let the masters get to work making a custom-hat you'll cherish for the long haul.

The love of place: Leadville's Placemark Designs

In so many endeavors, the love of place drives creativity across that state (and beyond). As is the case for Leadville local and Placemark Design gallery owner and artist, Gail Sovick. An artist and educator who is crazy about all things creative, Sovick draws on her love of the outdoors and her fascination with maps to craft unique, mixed-media resin belt buckles and jewelry. Custom orders can celebrate your connection to Colorado, or anywhere you call home.

Whether you'll appreciate the time and care someone put into their craft or creating something of your own, Colorado is the perfect place to celebrate the maker in you.

Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and 26 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state's breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 11 national parks and monuments and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the 2017 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800-COLORADO. For the Colorado Heritage & Agritourism ROOTS Guide, visit http://www.colorado.com/roots

Follow Colorado on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, Foursquare, Flickr, Tumblr and YouTube.

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