Air New Zealand has revealed the world’s largest commercially operated aircraft to be painted completely black. The new livery highlights the airline’s long-time sponsorship of the country’s recently crowned World Champion All Blacks rugby team.

All Blacks team players Kieran Read and Andy Ellis ceremonially led the one-of-a-kind Boeing 777-300ER aircraft out of Boeing’s paint hangar facility in Seattle last Friday night.
“It’s a sensational looking aircraft and will really turn heads at airports around the world,” said No. 8 loose forward Kieran Read.
“I reckon they should paint all their planes like this!”
All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis said “I always feel a huge amount of pride when I pull on the All Blacks jersey with the silver fern to represent my country on the rugby field and to see that replicated similarly on something this big is just awesome.”
According to Boeing, painting the aircraft took just over a week, two days longer than it normally takes to paint a 777 aircraft. 185 gallons (700 litres) of chrome-free primer and paint was used and involved a total of 14 painters working in shifts 24 hours a day.
“It was, without a doubt, one of the most challenging paint jobs we’ve ever done, but the paint team was up for the challenge and the results are absolutely outstanding.” said Jeff Klemann, Boeing vice president Everett Delivery Center. Contrary to popular belief, the black paint won’t cause the aircraft to heat up a great deal. In fact, the more than 330 individual TV screens inside the aircraft create more additional heat than the all black paint job.
By mid next year Air New Zealand will have six aircraft featuring the all black livery including two Airbus A320s and three Beech 1900D turbo-props.

 

Source:  David Tait

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration has launched year-round short cruises from Long Beach, Calif. Carnival is offering a new choice on this popular itinerary which encompasses three-day cruises departing Fridays to Ensenada and four-day cruises departing Mondays to Ensenada and Catalina Island. Previously, this itinerary was operated by the Carnival Paradise, which has been redeployed to Tampa.

The 70,000-ton Inspiration underwent an extensive multi-million-dollar refurbishment as part of the line’s “Evolutions of Fun” enhancement program and includes such innovations as a WaterWorks aqua park (with water slide, racing slides and a water spray area), a Serenity adults-only retreat and a tropical-themed resort-style main pool area. Carnival Inspiration also has a nine-hole miniature golf course, a 1,080-square-metre spa, a jogging track, and spacious facilities and supervised programming for children in three age groups.

Source:  Travel Press Weekly

Guests on board the Disney Fantasy will be able to take part in a new interactive adventure game involving the Muppets.  The newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line is filled with “Enchanted Art” and technology designed to bring the guest into the story.  “The Case of the Stolen Show” leads guests around the ship in search of clues to solve a mystery.  In this adventure, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and Animal are planning a big stage show, but they discover that their props are missing.  Guests will use a map and special game card to check out pieces of the Enchanted Art to find clues and uncover the whereabouts of the missing props.  Guests will even find a Muppets message board and a Muppet-sized stateroom door on board, containing clues to help solve the crime before curtain time for the big show.  This game, designed for ages nine and up, is self-paced and can be played over and over, as events and endings will change each time.

Set to sail in the fall of 2012, Celebrity Cruises fifth member of the Solstice class, Celebrity Reflection, will offer a two-bedroom suite for the first time. Located in a private area of the ship’s 14th deck, Celebrity Reflection’s five Signature Suites each offer a 441-square-foot stateroom area and 118-square foot veranda, with floor-to-ceiling windows and veranda doors, all designed to maximize the views of the sea. Celebrity’s Signature Suites each can accommodate up to four guests, and will offer the 24/7 butler service.
The entire area – including the new Reflection Suite – features cardkey access exclusively for guests booked in the elite group of suites, such that a family or group of up to 26 guests traveling together can enjoy a private, six-suite modern luxury vacation experience.

One of this season’s highlights is ‘Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle’ and the three part show which takes place each day.
This park icon is covered in freshly fallen ‘snow.’ The sparkling towers and turrets are a great backdrop for photos during the day and at night, the Disney magic begins.
Twilight brings the start of ‘When you Wish’. You’ll hear the wind blowing  and hear a little child wishing for snow. The mother responds with ‘in order for your wishes to come true, you must believe.’ With that, snow flurries fill the air and the castle begins to glisten.
Later in the evening is the “Believe…in Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular.” As the child again wishes for snow, magic and icicles, the snow falls again and Sleeping Beauty Castle becomes more illuminated. The grand finale follows the “When you Believe” fireworks. As ‘White Christmas’ is performed, icicles appear on the castle as snow falls on Main Street, New Orlean’s Square, small world mall and the snow on the castle becomes a jewel like display.
Other favorite traditions are back at Disneyland  Park. There’s the 60 foot Christmas Tree located in Town Square and the streets are trimmed with garland and wreaths with special events throughout the parks. Children will love decorating cookies on  Main Street and New Orleans Square . The cast of Characters are ready for Christmas and are sure to bring holiday cheer.

Believe….In   Holiday Magic Fireworks   Spectacular        During the Holidays, Disneyland’s   spectacular Holiday Fireworks show ends with a White Christmas as snow start to fall on Main Street U.S.A, New Orleans Square and it’s a small world.

Royal Caribbean International will mark another industry first with the introduction of iPad mobile digital devices in every stateroom onboard the newly revitalized Splendour of the Seas. The device will give guests an additional medium by which to receive, retrieve and use information on their cruise vacation. With a touch of the screen, guests will be able to access the daily Cruise Compass of events and activities; personal daily itineraries, including shore excursions; monitor their onboard account; order room service; view restaurant menus; access the Internet; and watch movies.

The iPads will be available beginning mid-February 2012 on Splendour of the Seas before being extended to all Vision-class ships when each undergoes revitalization in the following two years. In addition to the iPads, Splendour of the Seas, which recently emerged from dry dock, also boasts an array of new stateroom amenities such as flat screen televisions, new bathrooms and completely remodelled interiors. The newly revitalized Splendour will also debut new dining options including the Asian Izumi restaurant; the line’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille; the Boardwalk Dog House hotdog counter; the Park Café deli-style restaurant; and the exclusive Chef’s Table dining experience.

Source: Travelpress

It is tough to be a woman traveling alone. Not only do you have to deal with the usual hassle that a tourist has to face, like getting around the place, getting over the language barrier and all that, but women traveling are also vulnerable to being on the receiving end of unwanted attention, especially if she is traveling alone. This is particularly true in countries where women do not enjoy as much freedom as women in, say, the United States do. Safety is a special concern for a woman traveling alone. A lot of enterprising people find a woman traveling alone to be an easy target for whatever heinous heist they may have in mind, so it is very important for her to take care of herself. The first thing that a woman traveling alone should do is to secure her lodgings. As much as possible, her lodgings should be something she should not cut corners with. She should check in a reputable place and make sure that her room is not on the first floor, where many people come and go all too easily. Another precaution that a woman traveling alone ought to take is to keep her room number to herself. Keeping her hotel room door locked at all times is also logical. She should never let anyone inside her hotel room without first identifying who that person is. When she is ordering room service, she should ask room service to call her when the waiter is coming up to her room with her order. While the waiter is laying out her food on the table, she should stay by the door. Whenever she eats at one of the restaurants at the hotel she is staying in, a woman traveling alone should sign her bills with her initials instead of her full name. After signing these bills, she should give them directly to the server and should take care that no one else sees them. Whenever a stranger approaches her, she should feel free to say that she is busy and does not feel up to entertaining casual conversation with people she does not know. But if she feels inclined to it, she should be careful of the things she says to the person she is talking to. Never at any time should she reveal her itinerary for her trip. Also, a little white lie can also keep her safe. If she is going out, a woman traveling alone should leave a note at the reception, notifying the hotel of her destination and the time she left. She should also check in regularly with someone at home. When she is going about the hotel, she should steer clear of the stairs and instead use the elevator; in this case, safety comes first before burning calories. Upon returning to the hotel after going out, she should not hesitate to ask the concierge to escort her to her room if she thinks she is being followed or spied upon. Most of all, a woman traveling alone should wear sedate outfits and do her best to blend in. She should leave her provocative clothes at home, and she should not stash her cash and valuables in one place alone. These safety precautions may seem paranoid, but it is better to be safe than sorry. A woman should have fun and peace of mind during her trip, even when she is traveling alone.

Source:  GSA publishing

Located south of the Alps, in the Ticino region people speak Italian. The climate is mild and the best time to visit is between March and November.  Ticino offers both Mediterranean charm and lifestyle, with its food and architecture, and on the other hand, Swiss quality and precision.  Visitors can admire a great diveristy, from  Palm trees and lakes to mountains and glaciers!