Travelogue……
Travelogue……
with Bob Nicolaides, e-mail: nicolaidesc@comcast.net
Ancient Pella excavations to continue
Pela Lion Hunt Mosaic. Image from Wikipedia
Excavations at the ancient agora of Pella, capital city of Alexander the Great’s and his father Philip’s kingdom, have been renewed for another five years under University of Thessaloniki professor of classical archaeology Ioannis Akamatis, following the Central Archaeological Council’s approval.Field work will focus on the area south of the agora, the northern stoa, the central square and the eastern wing, to look for structures earlier than the hellenistic metropolis’ remains of the mid-4th century BC to the 2nd century BC.The compound of the ancient agora covers 70,000 square meters and contained multiple buildings and workshops attesting to the city’s economic strength – from ceramic and sculpture studios, to metal processing, food and perfume manufacturing, administrative offices and the city’s archive, containing the clay stamps of papyrus records.Excavations last year revealed a temple-like rectangular structure that will be researched further, several coins, ceramic storage vessels stamped with identifiable data and statuettes.
St. Petersburg, a second life with the FIFA World Cup
After several legislative attempts to kick-start its hospitality industry, St. Petersburg is getting a new lease on life as it is set to become one of two main hubs for the 2018 FIFA World Cup along with Moscow. St. Petersburg, however, holds a special place as the site of the Preliminary Draw.
Looking for the ideal destination? It’s So Miami.
“Miami is on everyone’s lips,” says the ad. “Spectacular beaches, world-class boutiques, the trendiest hotels, clubs, and restaurants. State-of-the-art performing arts centers, major sports venues, 650,000+ sq.ft. Miami Beach Convention Center, two national parks, and an unmatched mix of cultures. It’s So Miami.”
W Hotels to enter Israel
The first W hotel in Israel will be under construction in Spring 2015 in Jaffa – Old Town, Israel upon the signing of a contract between Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and landowner RFR Holdings Ltd.
The contract between Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and RFR Holdings Ltd. Is for ownership of a lot that includes a four-story building from 1879, which had been the French Hospital, and is slated for preservation.Beginning in spring 2015, the former hospital will be converted into a hotel; Starwood Hotels will additionally construct a six-story hotel and apartment complex. In the end, the project will consist of 125 hotel rooms, 38 luxury apartments, and commercial space.
Hawaii: Get your lei without laying down a fortune
Sun sets on Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s North Shore. Hawaii’s beauty and splendor needn’t be only for those with fat wallets or expense accounts. (Photo: Monica Hortobagyi Siniff, USA TODAY)
While Hawaii tourism may have taken it in the board shorts during the Great Recession, these days, the Aloha State is riding a new wave of popularity.
Nearly 8 million travelers arrived here last year, shattering the previous high-water mark set in 2006, and prices for everything from convertible rentals to luaus are rising in their wake.
According to industry tracker STR, the average cost of a Hawaii hotel room jumped to $233.30 a night in February — the highest rate in the country, up 13.1% from a year ago. Even at those prices, 85.6% of hotel rooms were occupied — a full 10 percentage points higher than rival Florida.
Athens Hotels 26th Cheapest Among 46 Rivals
Stathis Kousounis writes that Athens ranks as the 26th cheapest among 46 of the world’s most popular tourism destinations based on the prices of services offered by upper-category hotels and the commodities tourists tend to purchase most, according to the world’s biggest travel website, TripAdvisor.
The survey, which was published recently in the US, showed that in hotels in Athens the average cost of services and products used for the purpose of comparison amounts to 34.8 euros. Specifically, in the period from January 21 to February 5, the average price of a club sandwich was 11 euros, a one-liter bottle of mineral water cost 2.10 euros, a pistachio snack cost 5.10 euros, a soda drink 3.30 euros, a mini bottle of vodka 6.60 euros and the dry-cleaning bill for a shirt came to 6.80 euros.
However, this means that Athens hotels are slightly more expensive than those in Rome, where the average cost stood at 34 euros, and considerably more expensive than Barcelona (29 euros for the same services and products), Lisbon (25 euros) and Istanbul, which ranks fourth with 21.20 euros. The cheapest hotel destination in the TripAdvisor survey is Cape Town with 15.30 euros and the most expensive in Russia at 64 Euros.
Travelodge pursues its financial restructuring
After the debt restructuring completed last October, the economic chain announced the signing of franchise agreements for 20 of its establishments and a change of operator for another 18 of its hotels. It is searching in parallel for new operators for the rest of its properties that are losing money.
Stathis Kousounis writes that Athens ranks as the 26th cheapest among 46 of the world’s most popular tourism destinations based on the prices of services offered by upper-category hotels and the commodities tourists tend to purchase most, according to the world’s biggest travel website, TripAdvisor.
The survey, which was published recently in the US, showed that in hotels in Athens the average cost of services and products used for the purpose of comparison amounts to 34.8 euros.
Specifically, in the period from January 21 to February 5, the average price of a club sandwich was 11 euros, a one-liter bottle of mineral water cost 2.10 euros, a pistachio snack cost 5.10 euros, a soda drink 3.30 euros, a mini bottle of vodka 6.60 euros and the dry-cleaning bill for a shirt came to 6.80 euros.
However, this means that Athens hotels are slightly more expensive than those in Rome, where the average cost stood at 34 euros, and considerably more expensive than Barcelona (29 euros for the same services and products), Lisbon (25 euros) and Istanbul, which ranks fourth with 21.20 euros. The cheapest hotel destination in the TripAdvisor survey is Cape Town with 15.30 euros and the most expensive in Russia at 64 Euros.
Travelodge pursues its financial restructuring
After the debt restructuring completed last October, the economic chain announced the signing of franchise agreements for 20 of its establishments and a change of operator for another 18 of its hotels. It is searching in parallel for new operators for the rest of its properties that are losing money.
Cruises Along the Globe
Say “cruise” and one thinks of massive ships puttering across oceans and seas. But there’s another side to this method of travel, with smaller boats and more tailored itineraries. Meet the river cruise: a fresh way to eat and drink well while trundling along three of the world’s standout waterways. Here are three new itineraries:
Italy: The recently remodeled UniWorld River Countess will be home base as you wind your way up the Po river. The ship embarks from Venice, and positions you for day trips to Bologna, Padua and Verona, where you’ll sample the local dishes, shop for Parma ham and, while in Bologna, attend a pasta-making class. Rates start at $3,100 per person
Portugal: This 15-day itinerary from Ama Waterways covers the heart of Portugal’s wine country with a cruise up the Douro. At each stop, guests will be ferried to various top-notch vineyards, such as Quinta da Avessada, for tours and tastings, or for visits to the museums and shopping districts of Porto and Lisbon. Rates start at $2,800 per person.
Vietnam & Cambodia: See the fruit orchards, rice paddies and fish farms of these lush locales from the deck of an intimate 16-person cruise as it sails through the Mekong Delta. Boats embark from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and travel all the way to Bangkok. Rates start at $3,270 per person.
Record revenues for British tourism
Over the 2012 year, marked by the organization of the Olympics, Great Britain recorded an increase of 1% of visitors and 4% in tourist spending, compared to 2011.
With a visitor increase of 1% over the 2012 year, Great Britain has attained the record figure of £18.6 billion in tourism revenue over the period.
The primary feeder markets remain the neighboring countries, with France at the head of the list. In total, 3.8 million French crossed the Manche in 2012 (as opposed to 3.6 million in 2011), spending 1.5 billion pounds, 30% more than last year. Germany, the United Sates, the Republic of Ireland, and the Netherlands complete the top 5.
Great Britain also improved its popularity in emerging countries, notably on the Chinese market. Chinese visits (179 000 visitors) and spending (300 million pounds) increased by 20% and 25% respectively. Australians and visitors from the UAE were also pulverized their records, just as Canadians, Danes, Portuguese, and Swiss.
Cyprus records a Decrease in Tourist Arrivals
Balkan News reports arrivals of tourists, in Cyprus, reached 92.620 in March 201,3 compared to 94.300 in March 2012, a decrease of 1,8%. A decrease of 24,9% was recorded in tourist arrivals from Germany (11.113 in March 2013 compared to 14.800 in March 2012), 15,2% decrease from Greece (8.056 compared to 9.500 ) and 10,6% decrease from Russia (7.686 compared to 8.600 last year). On the other hand, an increase of 12,2% in tourist arrivals was recorded from the United Kingdom (from 34.900 in March 2012 to 39.170 in March 2013) reports the statistical agency.
Laganas, Zante-Top Clubbing Holiday Destination for 2013
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM–(Marketwired) – MAJOR clubs across the Greek island of Zante are getting ready for the summer ahead and announcing summer 2013 acts.
Rescue Club Zante – the only venue to hold more than 2000 people – has just announced its summer line-up – with paint parties, DJ events and Skool Disco ready to unleash the ultimate party experience on you. The question is – how much fun can you handle?
If your idea of a holiday is less about relaxing and more about partying hard, then you’ve come to the right place. Time to sleep when you’re old! Get ready to live a little and try something new with an 18-30 holiday, the byword for no holds barred FUN!
If you are ready for some seriously wild nights, this is your chance to get yourself and your friends over to one of the hottest clubbing destinations around – the Zante resort of Laganas. Not only is it full of excellent clubs, hotels, beaches and bars, but the temperatures are sizzling from April to October.
So forget Ibiza and Magaluf, make 2013 a year to remember and go somewhere you’ve never been before – with your accommodation taken care of.Most of our hotels are directly on the strip and a 10-minute transfer from the airport, so the party begins as soon as your plane lands.
Take the hotel Kostas Studios – located 500 meters away from a sandy beach and 300 meters from the bars, tavernas and clubs of the resort – you’ll get a swimming pool, sun terrace, snack bar and pool table among other perks.
Last summer, top DJs Danny Howard, Eddie Halliwell, Umek and the Freemasons played at Rescue Club and there is always an enticing line-up across the resort. Go to @rescueclubzante for twitter updates.
There are loads of other clubs to visit, depending on your mood. The Cherry Bay Beach Club is a late night favorite with clubbers after hours who want to visit the beach at the bottom of the strip. While the hours away in the sand with the smell of the sea in the night air.
Whether you fancy Crete, Mallorca, Corfu, Cyprus, Rhodes, Kos, Bulgaria, Ibiza or Zante, 2013 clubbing holidays from Club 18-30 will take you wherever you want for the week of your life.
©Typologos.com 2013
