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  • British women warned over India travel

    Britain has advised female tourists to be careful while traveling in India within the wake of the rape of a Swiss tourist in Madhya Pradesh last week.

    “Our travel advice states that ladies should use caution if travelling alone in India.

    “Reported cases of sexual assault against women and young girls are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women also are in danger,” explained a Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesperson. 

    Though the recommendation has not been modified following last week’s sexual assault on a foreign tourist, the government’s travel advisory remains under constant review in view of the placement at the ground, it added.

    “British women was the victims of sexual assault in Goa, Delhi, Bangalore and Rajasthan and girls travelers often receive unwanted attention within the type of verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of guys.

    “If you’re a woman traveling in India it’s essential to respect local dress codes and customs and avoid isolated areas, including beaches, when alone at any time of day,” said the FCO current advisory.

    Six men accused of raping the 39-year-old Swiss tourist, who was camping together with her husband in a forest in Madhya Pradesh, were remanded in custody.

    The woman has since been discharged from hospital.

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  • News: Celeb Chef to open new restaurant on board Norwegian Getaway

    Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that celebrity chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will create and oversee the hole of his seafood restaurant, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, at the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, so that you can sail year-round to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning February, 2014. Geoffrey Zakarian’s new restaurant is found within the ship’s hub amongst three expansive, action-packed decks called 678 Ocean Place and includes innovative outdoor spaces along The Waterfront, the ship’s oceanfront promenade, offering guests an unparalleled experience with a special connection to the sea.

    The restaurant, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, will bring a luxury seafood dining experience to Norwegian Getaway, utilising all the ingredients and methods that Zakarian employs in his land-based establishments to 3 distinct dining locations on board: Ocean Blue, Ocean Blue at the Waterfront, Zakarian’s tackle a boardwalk clam shack, and The Raw Bar, serving crustaceans and wines by the glass. In developing the sea Blue concept for Norwegian’s newest ship, Zakarian is orchestrating every aspect of the restaurants, from the menus to the uniforms and the glassware. On select sailings, Zakarian may even host meet-and-greets with Norwegian Getaway guests, including in-person cooking demonstrations and intimate cooking experiences for smaller groups. The primary location of Ocean Blue will premiere on board Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway’s Ny city-based sister ship in April 2013.

    “I am thrilled to announce that the sea Blue concept we developed for Norwegian Breakaway will even have a house on her Miami-based sister ship, Norwegian Getaway,” said Geoffrey Zakarian. “I am so happy with the idea, menus and décor of this restaurant and am excited to bring my sense of hospitality to guests cruising to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami on Norwegian Getaway.”

    Zakarian’s taste, style and keenness for fine cuisine have defined his career, which has spanned greater than 25 years. An accomplished chef who has presided over a number of America’s top kitchens, he currently has two popular restaurants in Ny city – The Lambs Club and The National; one in Atlantic City – The Water Club at Borgata; and a highly acclaimed cookbook “Geoffrey Zakarian’s Town/Country: 150 Recipes for all times Across the Table.” Zakarian emerged victorious inside the recent fourth season of Food Network’s The subsequent Iron Chef, Super Chefs. He appears regularly on Iron Chef America, demonstrating a razor-sharp knowledge of culinary techniques on this fast-paced cooking competition.

    “Geoffrey is a global-renowned chef with an amazing culinary resume and an overall great guy,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer.  “Our guests sailing from Miami on Norwegian Getaway will experience his world-class cuisine in three unique dining outlets. We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Geoffrey and that he’s bringing his culinary expertise, creativity and a spotlight to detail to a different one in every of our beautiful ships.”

    Ocean Blue, the Raw Bar and Ocean Blue at the Waterfront are only three of the incredible dining options with the intention to be found amongst three expansive, flowing decks of dining, bars, entertainment, gaming and more as portion of The Waterfront, the ship’s oceanfront boardwalk, and 678 Ocean Place, the central hub of the ship. These two areas, lined with shops, restaurants and bars, represent an important innovation in ship design, offering guests an unparalleled experience with a different connection to the sea.

    Located on Deck 8, The Waterfront is a revolutionary outdoor experience that adds a complete new dimension to the line’s signature Freestyle Cruising, by offering a number seaside venues that feature breath-taking views and a way of reference to the sea. The hub of the ship is 678 Ocean Place, an area that uniquely flows, intertwines and connects three decks of daytime and night-time amusements. There’ll be a complete of 17 dining venues combined on both 678 Ocean Place and The Waterfront, in addition to 12 bars and lounges, including Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian.

    The Waterfront will feature eight outdoor dining and lounging options, including signature Norwegian favourites like Moderno Churrascaria; Cagney’s Steakhouse; La Cucina; Shaker’s Cocktail Bar; Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar; and the most recent addition, Ocean Blue at the Waterfront, with outdoor seating and a unique takeaway menu. The Waterfront may even feature a gelato bar serving a variety of flavours. A yet-to-be-announced entertainment venue can even have an out of doors space.

    678 Ocean Place   
    On Deck 8, 678 Ocean Place connects The Waterfront outdoor spaces with interior dining venues for Moderno; Cagney’s; Shaker’s; La Cucina; Malting’s and Ocean Blue.

    La Cucina celebrates the Tuscan countryside and should continue to serve Norwegian’s delicious Italian dishes to guests who choose dine either al fresco at the outdoor patio at the Waterfront, generally restaurant or the internal terrace option, giving guests the chance to dine along the inner walkway beneath twinkling lanterns, exposed wooden beams and greenery.

    Moderno Churrascaria is Norwegian’s signature Brazilian-style steakhouse. Whether guests dine indoors or out, they can feast from an enormous salad bar, followed by a number of grilled and slow-roasted meats which are carved tableside by passadors. Norwegian’s signature establishment Cagney’s Steakhouse will feature succulent grilled steaks, perfectly cooked double cut lamb chops and other steakhouse favourites. Guests will dine well-liked amidst warm wood tones as they enjoy watching the chefs prepare their meals inside the open kitchen. Located between Cagney’s and Moderno, Prime Meridian will offer guests the chance to reserve a signature cocktail and soak within the action happening around them on 678 Ocean Place. Guests may even find shops, the photo gallery, and a Cigar Lounge on Deck 8.  a 3-story open atrium with a wonderful LED chandelier with light changing effects will function the centrepiece of 678 Ocean Place with openings to all three decks and glass staircases connecting the degrees. 

    Spanning greater than 18,000 square feet on Deck 7, the contemporary Getaway Casino will offer guests the chance to attempt their luck on 310 of the newest slot machines; together with 26 gaming tables featuring poker, black jack, roulette and craps. With the main rewarding Casinos At Sea Players Club programme, there’ll be something for everybody, from the novice to the high roller. Bar 21, located adjacent to the Casino, is a beautiful, intimate bar featuring video poker and multiple plasma television screens.

    Due to the recognition of the noodle bar on Norwegian Epic and shortly on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway will feature Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, the biggest noodle bar at sea. This exciting dining concept will offer all counter seating around an open kitchen and may serve traditional Chinese noodles, wok-fried dishes and dim sum.

    Another guest favourite, O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, returns on Norwegian Getaway. This 24-hour an afternoon neighbourhood sports bar and restaurant will serve classic American favourites. This will feature an enormous two-story screen, perfect for watching sports and flicks, together with miniature bowling, pool and air hockey tables and interactive games.

    A popular hotspot on several Norwegian ships, Bliss Ultra Lounge have been re-designed on Norwegian Getaway. Guests will walk in the course of the LED-lit tunnel entrance to the illuminated bar, with LED walls and pulsating dance floor where they could dance the night away.

    Savor, among the many three complimentary main dining options on Norwegian Getaway, will feature cuisine that’s traditional with a up to date flair. Across from Savor, is where guests will find Taste, another complimentary main dining venue. Taste will serve quite a few culinary delights to thrill every palate. Both restaurants feature clean lines and upscale, contemporary décor. Located between Savor and Taste is Mixx Bar, the ideal, pre- or post-dinner gathering place, with a fashionable twist to a classical design.

    Norwegian’s signature Teppanyaki restaurant will continue to dazzle guests on Norwegian Getaway complete with a standard Japanese rock garden, featuring bamboo plants and bonsai trees to advertise a satisfying aesthetic ambiance. With 96 seats surrounding 12 flat top grills, Teppanyaki chefs will showcase their knife-wielding
    skills while cooking exhibition-style Japanese cuisine. Guests may also enjoy numerous a la carte sushi and Japanese dishes at Wasabi Sushi Bar.

    Le Bistro, Norwegian’s signature French restaurant, will feature a chic indoor setting, along side a ecu sidewalk-style dining opportunity as a way to overlook the social hub of the ship, 678 Ocean Place.

    Within the Atrium, located on Deck 6, guests will discover a two-story video wall in conjunction with the Café and Bar on the Atrium. The Café will offer specialty coffees and fresh baked treats. The Bar on the Atrium will feature mixed drinks, together with a self-service wine bar. The Shore Excursion Desk, Internet Café and Art Gallery might be located in close proximity to the Atrium, which includes two meeting rooms, card room and library.

    Currently being built at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Getaway can be 146,600 gross tonnes and offer quite a lot of accommodation. The ship represents a chance for the Norwegian guest to “get away” from the routine of labor, school, and daily stress, and discover a true respite at sea that reflects the energy and culture that Miami is legendary for worldwide.

    The ship will feature a rich mixture of stateroom options, including The Haven by Norwegian, made from 42 Suites on the top of the ship in an exclusive, private key-card enclave and 22 additional Suites located inside the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travellers; quite a lot of Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; in conjunction with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa. Norwegian Getaway’s sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will begin sailing from her year-round home port of recent York City in May 2013.

  • FCO warns Britons travelling to Cyprus over banking crisis

    The British Foreign Office has warned tourists travelling to Cyprus to take pounds and euros in addition to credit and debit cards as fears grow the banking crisis within the country will mean they can’t access money.

    The Cypriot government announced plans for a savings levy in a bid to offer protection to its banking sector over the weekend.

    The £8.6 billion bailout agreed by the european and IMF demands all bank customers pay a one-off levy and has caused heavy cash withdrawals.

    The levy shouldn’t take effect until Tuesday but action was taken to govern electronic money transfers over the weekend.

    If the deal is defeated, state media say banks may be closed on Tuesday if you want to avoid mass withdrawals.

  • Ibis launches sleep art app

    Ibis would be the first economy hotel chain to provide an entertainment app, employing sound and motion sensors to sketch and draw movements and sounds while people sleep to disclose the ‘art of sleep’.

    The Sleep Art app confirms ibis’ commitment to a cheerful sleep and embellishing experience of all sleepers. Merging digital functionality and design the app will encompass a menu screen giving guests the chance to either start generating art from the instant they fall asleep or learn more in regards to the Sleep Art project. It should also include an alarm function to wake the user up at a well-liked time, synced to the completion in their own piece of art. completed guests will then have the ability to either email their artwork or post to Facebook and share through social media.

    Commenting at the launch of Sleep Art, Thomas Dubaere Managing Director for Accor UK & Ireland says, “Since the launch of the revolutionary Sweet Bed™ by ibis last year we now have continually invested in research and new technology to ensure our guests a contented sleep and challenge and exceed the expectancies of consumers within the economy sector. The Sleep Art app will enable any member of the general public, including our guests, to interact with the ibis offer on an inventive in addition to a functional platform and position ibis as pioneers within the economy hotel sector not just as sleep experts but additionally as digital innovators.”

    Recent research revealed that 70% of guests rank a comfy bed because the single most crucial factor when choosing an economy hotel. The ibis Sleep Art app is a better phase in improving the sleep experience for all and is obtainable to download totally free from the App store now.

  • News: Choice Hotels International and Booking.com sign corporate agreement

    Choice Hotels International, Inc, among the world’s largest lodging franchisors, today announced that it has entered right into a global corporate agreement with Booking.com, a number one online travel agency (OTA), that draws over 30 million unique online visitors from both leisure and business markets worldwide.

    This agreement with Booking.com expands the reach of the decision Hotels brands to millions of shoppers in 180 countries and helps Choice Hotels develop future business relationships, especially within the international arena where Choice Hotels has a powerful presence.

    “Our guests are constantly changing the best way they shop for and book hotels. Choice Hotels is with the intention that we stay alongside of consumers and offer the greatest rates and options online to satisfy their needs. That’s why we’re extremely pleased to be working with Booking.com to further strengthen our distribution platform” said, Robert McDowell, senior vice chairman, global distribution and loyalty, Choice Hotels International. “Since Booking.com is understood for its great product, international customer base and price effectiveness as an OTA, we’re certain to see much more traffic to our franchisees hotels.”

    The agreement also provides both parties with flexible terms and selection Hotels with the chance to diversify global relationships with leading OTAs and expand its online presence to arrive new customers and continue driving record traffic to its franchise hotels. It also gives consumers who’ve Booking.com as their preferred online travel site, access to approximately 6,200 hotels worldwide the selection Hotels system.