RELAX. REVIVE. REJUVENATE. THE LAS VEGAS WAY

What The Spa at The Mirage lacks in size, it makes up for in service. With only 17 treatment rooms, The Spa at The Mirage provides separate men’s and women’s wet areas including steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools and relaxing meditation rooms.

“Guests can expect exceptional service, comfort and the ability to relax,” says Stephanie Doud, director of spa operations. “Being a smaller spa in comparison with other spas on the Strip, we provide a more intimate experience and we strive to create a one-on-one guest service.”

Further setting The Spa at The Mirage apart is its Yoga Among the Dolphins experience ($50), during which guests practice the downward dog in a room featuring panoramic views of the dolphin pool at The Mirage. “It’s a fantastic yoga class,” says Doud, “with dolphins floating by through the windows. I don’t know if the dolphins are more interested in the yoga poses or if the people are more interested in the dolphins.”

As far as treatment packages go, he says the Invigorate package provides the most luxurious experience. For $235 pp, it includes a stimulating Blueberry Bliss body treatment, featuring a blueberry soy slimming wrap to leave skin soft and silky, followed by a 50-minute Swedish massage, using light and medium pressure to release stress and tension. “Then if you’re going out for the evening, follow it with the Vibrance package, which includes a blow-dry and style, polish change, and make-up at the Kim Vo Salon ($150 pp).” Overnight rates at The Mirage start at $79 per night.

Vdara sees The Mirage’s dolphin encounter and raises it with a Snakeskin Pedicure at its Spa & Salon Vdara.

The treatment—easily the most untamed option at the spa—allows guests to take a walk on the wild side using actual skin naturally shed by snakes. To accomplish the look, nail technicians shape a piece of snakeskin to each nail and layer it between gel polish. Snakeskin options include a wide array of colors and designs, and guests who prefer not to have real snakeskin slither across their toes can opt for the faux version instead. Snakeskin Pedicures start at $200, or $150 for faux snakeskin. Overnight rates at Vdara start at $109 per night.

1000 Places To See Before You Die

By Getachew Teklu

The international travel bestseller is back nearly a decade after it first hit the bookshelves, 1000 Places to See before You Die is being  released with over 200 entries for Britain. “Every trip to Britain guarantees surprises at every turn. England promises a remarkable variety of things to see, from world wonders to small and unsung gems – both man-made and places of natural beauty. Scotland is empty and majestic, Wales a plethora of castles, and Belfast born again with an irresistible high-energy scene. And with everything within a relative small area, a visit to Great Britain is manageable and a delight – a veritable see-before-you-die experience”. Patricia Schultz, author.

Britain has no shortage of entries in the book with 53 destinations and over 200 places getting a mention. From Lands End in Cornwall, where the Olympic torch will make its entry to Britain, to Balfour Castle in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland, with plenty of places in between. Britain has some magnificent cathedrals – all of them offering something unique to see. Visit the grave of Jane Austen or see Antony Gormley’s famous sculpture Sound II at Winchester Cathedral or try Canterbury Cathedral to see for yourself what inspired Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The oldest surviving original clock face of its kind in the world can be seen in Wells and the view from the top of the tower at Salisbury, Britain’s tallest spire at 225 feet above the ground is breathtaking.

If you love nothing more than seeing how the Lords and Ladies of past and present live then the wealth of stately homes and houses in Britain must be on your list of places to visit. Britain has a huge variety of festivals that take place every year that are attended by visitors from all over the world. In the world of opera, Glyndebourne is unique. The opera house stands next to the country home of John Christie, who founded it in 1934. So whether you start with North Wales, home to some of Europe’s finest surviving examples of medieval castle construction, The Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, The Lochs and their legends in Scotland or The Lake District in England make sure you get there before you die and see why some of our most loved destinations made the book

Travel & Safety

By LUC VAN KEMENADE, Associated Press

Gunmen in Ethiopia’s arid north attacked a group of European tourists traveling in one of the world’s lowest and hottest regions, killing five, wounding two and kidnapping two, an Ethiopian official said Wednesday.

Ethiopia called the attack “an act of open terrorism” and said the gunmen came from neighboring Eritrea and attacked the tourist group before dawn on Tuesday. Three Ethiopians were also taken hostage. Eritrea denied it was involved.

Austrian, Belgian, German, Hungarian and Italian nationals were among those in the tourist group, Ethiopian Communications Minister Bereket Simon said.

Two Germans, two Hungarians and an Austrian were among the five killed, according to an Interpol report cited by the spokesman for Hungary’s prime minister. Two Belgians were seriously hurt and two Italians escaped unharmed, the report said. Two Germans were kidnapped.

Austria’s foreign ministry confirmed that an Austrian man from the province of Upper Austria was among the five dead. Germany’s foreign minister also confirmed two German deaths. Germany’s foreign minister said 12 other people were flown to safety by helicopter.

Those wounded in the attack arrived in Addis Ababa Wednesday evening, where they were met by embassy personnel. A British diplomat at the airport said it was possible one British tourist was among the group attacked.

One victim had to be moved in a wheelchair. Others covered their faces to avoid being photographed by journalists. A diplomat said that the victims did not want to make any statements to the media and said that they have had “a very hard time.”

Ethiopia offered its condolences to the families of victims and said it would “do everything possible to try and get those taken prisoner released as soon as possible,” a government statement said. “It is already clear that the attack was carried out with the direct involvement of the Eritrean Government. There is a fear that the people who have been kidnapped might be taken across the border into Eritrea.”

Ethiopia said it suspects the attack was linked to an upcoming African Union summit in Addis Ababa later this month. It said the attack shows that the international community “must now get serious about the destabilizing role of the Eritrean regime in the region.”

The tourists were visiting a volcanic region in Ethiopia’s northern Afar region, which lies below sea level and is known for its intense heat and picturesque salt flats.

Some of the tourists appeared to be traveling with Addis Ababa-based Green Land Tours and Travel, according to three people in Ethiopia’s capital, all of whom asked not to be identified because the information hadn’t yet been made public.

Green Land Tours and Travel offers a 15-day travel package to the Afar region, which include visits to watch salt extraction from salt lakes and a trek around a volcano that spouts lava pools.

Some of the tourists on the trip also appear to have been booked by a company in Germany called Diamir, which posted a statement on its website saying that it deeply regrets what happened. Diamir said it had offered the Ethiopia trip several times a year since 2006.

“Up until the current incident, Diamir had no indications that the security of guests could be in question in the region,” it said, adding that there was no German travel warning in place for Ethiopia or parts of it at the time of the incident.

Bereket said that “some groups trained and armed by the Eritrean government” attacked the tourists about 20 to 25 kilometers (12 to 15 miles) from the Eritrean border.

Eritrea’s ambassador to the African Union, Girma Asmerom, said Ethiopia’s allegations are an “absolute lie” and that the attack is an internal Ethiopian matter.

Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a border war from 1998 to 2000,claiming the lives of about 80,000 people. Tension between the neighboring East African countries rose last year when a U.N. report claimed that Eritrea was behind a plot to attack an African Union summit in Ethiopia.

Austrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Peter Launsky-Tiefenthal said there was an Austrian Foreign Ministry travel warning in effect for the region since 2007 “because of several incidents involving attacks on tourist groups … in some case politically motivated in others criminally motivated.”

In 2007, five Europeans and 13 Ethiopians were kidnapped in Afar. Ethiopia accused Eritrea of masterminding that kidnapping, but Eritrea blamed an Ethiopian rebel group. All of those hostages were released, though some of the Ethiopians were held for more than a month.

In 2008, Ethiopia foiled a kidnapping attempt on a group of 28 French tourists in the area.

“The problem is, there is no infrastructure in the area, no telephone lines, satellite phones barely work,” Launsky-Tiefenthal said, comparing the remote area to “the surface of Mars.”

ADMAS TRAVEL & TOURS

By KRISTI PIHL

More Americans are expected to travel farther from home in 2012 according to a recent survey by Travel Leaders.Of the top 20 travel destinations, 11 are in Europe, Asia and Australia, which is up from 9 in 2011.And more than  91 percent of Travel Leaders surveyed say clients will spend the same or more on travel in 2012 as compared to last year.                            The survey is based on booking data and was conducted from Nov. 21 to Dec. 16 using responses from 640 Travel Leaders owners, managers and travel experts in the nation. Travel Leaders has offices in the Mid-Columbia. About 43 percent of clients are spending about the same per trip as they did in 2011, while 44 percent are spending somewhat more, according to the survey.“Our surveyed travel agents indicate there’s an increase in interest and bookings for small ship cruising, off-the-beaten path travel, and international family travel,” said Roger E. Block, CTC, president of Travel Leaders Franchise Group, which includes travel agency locations from coast to coast. “With these luxury-oriented segments on the rise, it’s no wonder the overall optimism our Travel Leaders have heading into 2012 based on bookings to-date for the upcoming year is also very high.”Travel Leaders travel agents nationwide say Croatia is the top “up and coming” international destination in Europe, Vietnam is tops within Asia and Panama narrowly edges out Ecuador and Brazil among destinations in Central and South America.And more travelers are planning ahead, with 64 percent booking travel within the United States eight weeks or more ahead and 90 percent booking international travel 8 weeks or more ahead, according to the survey.

Here is the top 20 list of international destinations based on the survey: 1. CRUISE- Caribbean, same as 2010 2. Cancun, Mexico, same as 2010 3. Playa del Carmen, Mexico, more than 2010 4. CRUISE- Europe (Mediterranean), 3rd in 2010 5. Rome, Italy, same as 2010 6. London, England, same as 2010 7. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, 9th in 2010 8. Paris, France, 11th in 2010 9. Montego Bay, Jamaica, 7th in 2010 10. Negril, Jamaica, 15th in 2010 11. Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico, 12th in 2010 12. Florence and/or Tuscany, Italy, 14th in 2010 13. CRUISE- Europe (River), tied for 21 in 2010 14. Beijing, China, 16th in 2010 15. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 13th in 2010 16. (tie) between CRUISE- Mexico, was 10th in 2010, and Sydney, Australia, 19th in 2010 18. Barcelona, Spain, 20th in 2010 19. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, tied for 26 in 2010 20. Hong Kong, China, tied for 23 in 2010 Here is the top 20 list of United States destinations for 2012 according to the survey: 1. Las Vegas, NV, same as 2010 2. Orlando, FL, same as 2010 3. Maui, HI, tied for 4th in 2010 4. Cruise – Alaska, 3rd in 2010 5. New York City, NY, 6th in 2010 6. Honolulu, HI, tied for 4th in 2010 7. Washington, D.C., same as 2010 8. Chicago, IL, tied for 10th in 2010 9. Los Angeles, CA, 12th in 2010 10. Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ, tied for 10th in 2010 11. Atlanta, GA, 15th in 2010 12. San Francisco, CA, 9th in 2010 13. Fort Myers, FL, tied for 19th in 2010 14. Cruise – Hawaii, 8th in 2010 15. Fort Lauderdale, FL, 16th in 2010 16. Anaheim/Orange County, CA, tied for 13th in 2010 17. Lihue (Kauai), HI, tied for 22 in 2010 18. Miami/Miami Beach, FL, tied for 13th in 2010 19. tied between Kona (Big Island), HI, tied for 26th in 2010, and Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL, 18th in 2010.

Source: Business beat

Tewolde-Gebremariam EAL CEO

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Ethiopian Airlines is undertaking a study to open four new routes to Asian countries: South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and more destinations in China.

Ethiopian CEO Tewolde Gebremariam told The Reporter that the national flag carrier wants to strengthen its Asian market by opening new routes to the stated countries. Ethiopian has seven destinations in Asia. Ethiopian flies to three cities in China – Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. It also flies to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Delhi. “We are undertaking market studies on Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and more destinations in China,” Tewolde said.

Ethiopian is also planning to open new routes to the US in addition to Washington DC. Ethiopian is preparing to launch a new flight to Toronto this year. The Canadian Civil Aviation Authority has already given the green light to Ethiopian. The airline hopes to launch the flight to Toronto, where is a large Ethiopian community. Ethiopian will deploy new jetliners – hopefully the Dreamliners – on the new routes.

Ethiopian, which was established in 1945, serves 62 international and 17 domestic destinations. The airline, which prides itself on being “The New Spirit of Africa” serves 40 destinations in Africa, the largest number of destinations served by a single airline.

Ethiopian currently flies only to Cairo in North Africa. A senior executive of the airline told The Reporter that currently the airline is eyeing the north African market – Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. However, the executive declined to mention the exact destinations (cities) that the airline wants to serve in North Africa.

Another growth project is running into delays as well. Last year, Ethiopian, Egyptair and SAA announced plans to set up one or more joint-venture airlines to be able to better cover Western Africa. Ethiopian has already set up ASKY, a joint venture with local investors in Togo that was planned to be used as the basis for an expanded effort. ASKY currently operates three Boeing 737-700s and one Bombardier Q400. While the plan to bring Egyptair and SAA in as additional investors and grow ASKY “is still active,” according to Tewolde, it seems to be very much on the back burner right now. The Ethiopian CEO concedes that in order to grow ASKY they would have to add bases in other West African countries, but it has not yet reached the stage where any particular site has been considered. “We need more time for that,” Tewolde says.

Given the Egyptian revolution earlier this year, Egyptair is still very much focused on getting load factors and traffic up to previous levels and building connecting markets through Cairo in order to be less dependent on local demand. The airline is also undergoing a leadership change that is making investment decisions more difficult right now.

SAA has had several unpleasant experiences in its history when it tried to invest in other African airlines and is taking a slow approach as well.

One factor that is making the ASKY expansion more complex is that Lagos, Nigeria, would be the obvious base from an economic point of view, but politics is making such a project a tough proposition.

Source: Aviation Week
]]> http://touristlife.com/2011/12/14/ethiopian-joins-star-alliance-with-big-growth-in-mind/feed/ 0 myetag Ethiopian Airline-2 http://touristlife.com/2011/11/28/the-one-place-to-be-in-brazil-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-copacabana-beach/ http://touristlife.com/2011/11/28/the-one-place-to-be-in-brazil-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-copacabana-beach/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:29:22 +0000 Tourist Life http://touristlife.com/2011/11/28/the-one-place-to-be-in-brazil-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-copacabana-beach/ ]]>

Rio de Janeiro is an awe-inspiring city of contrasts. Impossibly steep granite mountains jut out of the ocean between glorious stretches of golden sand, impeccable colonial buildings nestle in between modern glass skyscrapers and verdant forests tumble down hillsides into densely populated residential areas. It is a city high on life, a city of beach worship, football, samba and Carnival. And high above all this fun and frivolity stands Rio’s ever-present, iconic landmark – the statue of Christ the Redeemer.
The continuing strength of foreign currencies against the Brazilian Real and the national football team’s success in the 2002 World Cup have both helped to make Brazil, and Rio in particular, an increasingly popular and affordable year-round destination. And as the host of the forthcoming Pan American Games in 2007, the city is undergoing considerable regeneration and many new hotels are either built or being built. As well as the city’s well-known landmarks of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains, Rio boasts a wealth of attractions and activities, plus great food, music and entertainment – enough to keep a visitor busy for any length of stay.
Situated in southeast Brazil, on the natural port of the Baía de Guanabara (Guanabara Bay), Rio is a city of over 10 million people squeezed between the ocean and the mountains. The cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city) is a melting pot of cultures and peoples in varying degrees of wealth or poverty. In Rio, the rich and poor live together and the exclusive areas stand in stark contrast and close proximity to the slum areas or favelas. But no matter what their background or economic standing, the Cariocas (as the citizens of Rio are known) are characterised by a passion and enthusiasm for life, which is on full show during Rio’s famous annual Carnival.
Central to the Carioca lifestyle is the beach. From dawn until dusk and even after dark, the residents of Rio can be found enjoying the long stretches of sandy coastline with which the city is blessed. The beach is not merely a place to absorb the sun’s rays but also an important venue for sports, socialising and even business. It is a people-watcher’s paradise – clothing is minimal and bodies are bronzed and beautiful. The famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are magnets for Brazilians and tourists alike.
It has taken 500 years for Rio to transform itself into one of the world’s greatest cities. On 1 January 1502, Portuguese explorers sailed into Guanabara Bay and named it Rio de Janeiro (River of January), under the mistaken impression that it was an enormous river mouth. The French attempted to gain control of the bay in 1555 but were finally evicted by the Portuguese in 1567.
The Portuguese colony was based on sugar cane and agricultural products throughout the 17th century, until the discovery of gold in the nearby Minas Gerais region led to the city’s emergence as a control, export and taxation centre. Black slaves formed the majority of the population in these early days of trading and the African influence is still present in the city’s culture. The capital of colonial Brazil was moved from Bahia (now Salvador) in 1763 to Rio de Janeiro and the city began to flourish, especially when coffee became the predominant export in the 19th century. After the Portuguese monarchy was exiled from Portugal, when Napoleon conquered Lisbon, Rio became their home and eventually the capital of an independent Brazilian Empire. Finally, Brazil became a Republic in 1889; Rio de Janeiro remained its capital until 1960, when the Federal government was transferred to Brasilia.
Rio has continued to grow and has become a popular destination not only for tourists but also for migrants from other parts of the country. Despite its development, the city still has more than its fair share of social problems. Strong divisions exist between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’. Attempts have been made to curtail crime, although both residents and tourists should remain alert to petty thieves.
Rio’s best season is undoubtedly the summer months, between December and February, culminating with Carnival. Temperatures can rise to around 40ºC (104ºF) or more, which is ideal weather if tourists do as the Brazilians do and visit the beaches rather than rush around.

Travel can be a lifesaver. The right vacation at the right time can revitalize your whole year, not to mention your body and mind. But in today’s economy with airlines adding new fees almost daily and ticket prices sharply on the rise, many have written off travel as too expensive. However, with a few savvy tricks and a little research, there are still lots of great deals to be had on airline tickets and more.

Early Bird Gets the Deal. Travel experts say that there are certain times of day when more deals are available. Airfares can change three times a day as airlines adjust their prices to fill up flights. Early morning is when the fares tend to be lowest, but it is a good idea to check every five hours to track prices as they change throughout the day. Also, it’s a good idea to check again at 5 PM when the airlines are trying hardest to fill empty seats.

What Wouldn’t a Business traveler do? Flying when business travelers don’t can save you a bundle. Most business travelers fly on Mondays and Fridays, so Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days. Airlines will usually lower their prices on these days to aggressively try and fill empty seats.

Avoid the Crowds. Fly to popular places at unpopular times. The slowest time of the year for travel is in the Fall between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Again, to try and fill more vacant seats, the airlines will lower prices and offer better deals to get people to fly during this time of the year.

Right place, “wrong” time? By flying to popular destinations at unpopular times, you can secure the best prices from travel companies and airlines. Here’s where flexibility in your planning can pay off. Going to the airline websites and planning your vacation around the best ticket prices offered can result in a fun, cost-effective vacation and maybe widen your horizons to a place you might never have considered before.

Package Deals Many times the best deals on airfare can be found as part of a package rate. Most travel sites have package rates available and they are definitely worth a look. Often times, the entire package (hotel, airfare, rental car) is cheaper than just the plane ticket on another site. Even if you don’t need the rental car, with the money you saved on the flight, you can afford to not pick it up. These deals are especially good on last minute bookings.

With a little inside knowledge and some good timing, you can get yourself a steal on a ticket to the vacation you thought was out of reach.  Experienced travel agents can find you the best deal than searching on line. For more info see www.admastravel.com

African Travel is offering a new South Africa travel program called “In The Footsteps of Mandela,” which is based on the life of the leader who led South Africa out of its apartheid period to its first fully democratic government. The itinerary focuses on the history of South Africa through a series of excursions and encounters. Guests will enjoy intimate multi-ethnic interactions, including dinner in the home of a local family, and they will be touched by personal interactions with South Africans. An introduction to the natural beauty and wildlife of South Africa will unfold during their stay at a luxury safari lodge.

The phrase “Rainbow Nation” was coined by the Rev. Desmond Tutu and elaborated upon by President Nelson Mandela in his first month of office, when he proclaimed, “We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people. We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity — a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.”

The eight-day program includes three nights at The President Hotel, Cape Town; two nights at Balalaika, Johannesburg; and two nights at Kapama River Lodge, Kruger Private Reserve. Clients will explore a Cape Town area township gaining insight into daily life, visiting the shops and a shebeen (local bar) and a traditional Xhosa healer. They will discover the heritage and history of South Africa on a full schedule of excursions including a ferry ride to the infamous Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. They will experience wildlife viewing in 4×4 vehicles and a visit to the Hoedspruit Centre for Endangered Species.

African Travel has 35 years experiences offering custom wildlife adventures to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia including Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania including Zanzibar, Rwanda and Uganda including gorilla trekking, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt and Dubai. African Travel is part of The Travel Corporation, which also includes Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, Red Carnation Hotel Collection and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. For more information, visit www.africantravelinc.com. or www.admastravel.com

While Americans are being more careful with their money than ever, one sector where spending has increased is travel. Recent research has found that people who spend their money on travel and occasionally disconnect from the digital world rate their lives as happier.

Many travelers look to the restorative powers that come from visiting places of wild natural beauty. If close encounters with indigenous creatures appeals to you, then a holiday to the Galápagos Islands will provide you unparalleled opportunities to explore beautiful landscapes and observe incredible wildlife while relaxing in comfort.

Visitors regularly say that one of the most interesting things about visiting Galápagos is the unique natural habitat, which allows travelers to come face-to-face with wildlife that has never developed a fear of humans. Only in Galápagos do visitors have the chance to snorkel with playful sea lions, walk alongside grazing giant tortoises, approach birds like blue-footed boobies and marvel at penguins at the equator – all in one vacation.

The Galápagos Islands are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and are renowned for their unique wildlife and diverse geography. Lars-Eric Lindblad took the first non-scientific travelers to the archipelago in 1967, and the islands have been captivating travelers ever since.

The Galápagos archipelago consists of 13 main islands and 6 smaller isles, which together embrace some 19,500 square miles of ocean. With such a vast geography to explore, one of the best ways to visit the islands is to travel by boat. Small-ship expeditions are very popular in Galápagos for good reason. Small ships offer a great balance between comfort and convenience and many travel operators, such as Lindblad Expeditions , price their trips to include all activities, so there’s no need to pull a wallet out while onboard.

When looking for a travel provider, be certain that you select an operator that offers up-close exploration opportunities. The longest running travel operator in Galápagos, Lindblad Expeditions, features nimble Zodiac boats and kayaks that enable guests to visit the volcanic shores and land on the pristine beaches of the archipelago.

Lindblad Expeditions also works in alliance with National Geographic, which enables travelers to participate in the world of natural and cultural history as engaged, active explorers who care about the planet. And, every Lindblad expedition in Galápagos is led by a team of naturalists providing a multitude of resources for a rich, unmatched understanding of the incredible wildlife and special environment that is known as the “Land of Darwin.”

Galápagos is one of the most extraordinary places on earth to connect with nature. It is never too late, or too early, for a life-changing adventure.