Category: News

  • News: Water in Europe’s most efficient tourist destinations failing EU standards

    Some of Europe’s superior tourist destinations are failing EU water laws, new research shows.

    As millions of individuals plan their summer holidays, Pisa in Italy, parts of Halkidiki in Greece, Balaton in Hungary and Ayia Napa in Cyprus has been identified as among 6,311 European towns and cities which aren’t meeting the EU’s environmental standards.

    Popular city break destinations equivalent to Bucharest (Romania), Sofia (Bulgaria), Madrid (Spain), Budapest (Hungary) and Rome (Italy) have also been revealed as having sub-standard water.

    Even Brussels itself, the house of the ecu, is failing the desired tests.

    Particularly worrying for the ecu tourist industry are the failures in Spain, Italy and Greece, which can be one of the vital most often visited destinations for holidaymakers throughout Europe.

    Experts said these water failures could put the health of millions of individuals in peril should and render European taxpayers chargeable for fines of over €1 billion a year in total.

    The UK was some of the countries which have been fully compliant with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, a bit of legislation which came out within the 1990s to enhance water standards, that applies to the gathering, treatment and discharge of domestic and industrial waste water.

    Some MEPs and experts are campaigning for improvements to water infrastructure around Europe in the course of the EU Cohesion Fund, which was arrange in 1994 to supply funding for environmental and infrastructure projects. Decisions on its latest round of spending are expected within months.

    Victor Bostinaru, a Romanian MEP, who presented the findings in Brussels, said: “This report demonstrates the dimensions of the difficulty that exists around the 27 EU member states. The standard of water in lots of countries has to enhance and the cash must be found to make it happen – starting with town of Brussels, through which the ecu Union’s institutions are based.

    “As we prepare to commit billions of euros of investment to infrastructure projects, during the EU Cohesion Fund, we must demand improvements from these failing cities, regions and countries.”

    Hach Lange, one of the most world’s leading providers of instrumentation for water quality testing and treatment optimisation, considered the outcomes as leading analytical experts on European water.

    Lance Reisman, President of Hach Lange, said: “Clearly some parts of Europe have issues that need addressing, but the excellent news is that solutions are on hand.

    “Our experience in working across Europe has proven that investment reaps significant benefits.”

    The worst five country offenders are:
    Romania: 2,476 failures
    Spain: 1,148
    Bulgaria: 901
    Hungary: 631
    Italy: 443

  • News: Southall Travel agrees major sports sponsorship cope with IPL

    Long-haul travel specialist Southall Travel has agreed a tremendous sports sponsorship manage IPL, the Indian Premier League, the pro league for Twenty20 cricket championship in India.

    Broadcast daily on UK network’s ITV4 over 49 days, the IPL is likely one of the most spectacular sports tournaments on earth watched by millions of folk and featuring stars along with Sachin Tendulkar, Adam Gilchrist and England’s Eoin Morgan.

    Southall Travel adverts should be shown on 15 second bumper adverts going into each live game.

    Top Indian and international players participate in IPL and it’s considered to be the world’s showcase for Twenty20 cricket, a shorter format of cricket consisting only 20 overs per side

    Jaymin Borkhatria, sales director of Southall Travel, said: “For cricket fans that is one of many biggest tournaments on the earth and it’s exciting and fun to look at for the entire family.  It gives our brand high visibility everyday until the tournament ends on 16 May and asserts our position to our target market because the number 1 holiday firm for long-haul travel.”

    “This sponsorship is a primary investment in building our brand as we continue to expand our business.”

    Southall Travel already has a robust association with cricket following its sponsorship of the ICC World Twenty20 three years ago which was shown continue to exist Sky Sports.

    Southall Travel specialises in worldwide flights and tailor-made travel arrangements. Its combination of unbeatable flight prices to all major long-haul destinations and primary class service has ensured the corporate has gained a name for providing a superb value.

  • Marti Wellness by Spa Soul opens in Istanbul

    New for 2013, Marti Istanbul is happy to unveil the most well liked new city spa on this vibrant city.

    Located at the top floor of the design hotel Marti Istanbul, ‘Marti Wellness by Spa Soul’, is a tranquil space within the buzzing city, a retreat for guests to enjoy during their stay.

    With a treatment menu carefully selected by Spa Soul, choices include traditional cleansing hammams, tension relieving massages and a spacious sauna and steam room to enjoy at leisure.

    A relaxing city spa where guests could be scrubbed, soaped and soaked in typical Turkish style.

    The spacious new spa is found at the top floor of the Marti Istanbul which opened in 2012, designed by internationally acclaimed female designer Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu.

    The 850 square metre spa is a spectacular Ottoman inspired space, offering five treatment rooms with views over town, and expansive saunas and steam rooms for both ladies and men.

    In a rustic famed for its hammams, this sophisticated hotel offers two private marble hammam rooms and a bright Roman bath – the foremost relaxing method to end an afternoon of pounding the pavements and discovering the markets of the town.

    In the spa, guests will relax with a Turkish Hammam Bath like no other.

    An ancient Ottoman tradition, this full body treatment allows the outside to breath following an intensive exfoliation of the body.

    This results in an increased blood flow making skin feeling supple and refreshed.

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    One of one of the most relaxing spa treatments available, in 40 minutes guests might be fully scrubbed, cleansed with soap suds and soaked with warm water, leaving them relaxed and rejuvenated.

    As well because the traditional Turkish treatments, guests can choose between a range of treatments prepare by SpaSoul, from algo-radiance facials to foot acupressure.

    In addition to the spa, at the 11th of the ground of the hotel there’s also a hair and charm salon and a limiteless state-of-the-art gym searching over the roof tops of Istanbul – one among best work-out views available.

    Guests staying in a single of the 31 suites at Marti Istanbul shouldn’t only have the extensive spa treatments to enjoy, all the suites also has their very own private hammam, for a normal thanks to cleanse on the end of the day within the comfort their very own room.

    Located within the buzzing commercial district of Taksim, Marti Istanbul is the contemporary design hotel for travellers searching for an expensive base during their time discovering town.

    This contemporary hotel has 270 spacious bedrooms and suites, furnished with the best Turkish fabrics and art.

  • News: Agent rewards with Rail Europe’s trenitalia incentive

    Rail Europe Inc., the biggest distributor of European rail products in North America, offers agents the prospect to send clients on a spectacular tour of Italy aboard Trenitalia “Le Frecce” trains. Trenitalia bookings won’t only provide clients with a primary-class Italian experience, but agents can enjoy fast rewards too. For each booking of top notch Trenitalia high speed tickets made through Rail Europe from April 16 through May 7, agents will receive a $10 Amazon.com® Gift Card.*

    Trenitalia “Le Frecce” trains, Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca, offer convenient, comfortable connections to the entire major cities in Italy including Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Bologna and Naples. With such easy accessibility to those major art and cultural centers, planning day tours is a breeze, especially because the train always arrives in the midst of the action – town center.

    Clients can enjoy WiFi and a friendly bar with high quality Italian products on Frecciarossa and Frecciargento high speed trains, and people traveling in top notch will enjoy a welcome drink upon boarding. 

    Trenitalia offers over 220 Le Frecce services and approximately 8,000 trains day by day.

  • Banyan Tree Tianjin Riverside opens to guests

    Opening now inside the historic yet vibrant city of Tianjin, Banyan Tree Tianjin Riverside sets a major milestone as Banyan Tree’s first luxury hotel in northern China and the group’s tenth property inside the country.

    Building at the group’s unique urban resort concept, the valuables combines luxurious resort amenities and experiences with metropolitan living.

    Banyan Tree Tianjin Riverside, located at the east bank of the Hai River and overlooking the urban cityscape, provides quick access to Tianjin’s historical and cultural heritage sites.

    Staying true to the values of rejuvenation and modern Asian hospitality, the urban resort inspires guests with a brand new perspective of the colourful port-side metropolis, through its rich history.

    Tianjin, which means that “the place where the emperor crossed the river,” allows travellers to journey back in time by following the footsteps of influential Chinese intellectuals and revolutionary figures that contributed to the city’s unique heritage.

    Located within the former Austrian concession district, the resort is adjacent to the Italian a part of town, a picturesque region of European-style villas, historic bridges, and churches.

    Guests may enjoy leisurely strolls along the various vibrant thoroughfares and waterfront, together with Hai River Promenade and Italian Street, to experience an exotic journey in Tianjin’s urban centre. Additionally, the Mazu Temples inbuilt the Yuan Dynasty add a way of awe and beauty to each guest’s journey.

    Banyan Tree Tianjin Riverside blends local history and culture into its interior design.

    The 159 elegant rooms draw inspiration from the muted tones and refined aesthetic of traditional Chinese ink paintings, and embody the intrinsic charms of the Orient.

    Each guest room is designed to be a tranquil haven for rest and relaxation, artfully crafted with richly-textured materials and tastefully accentuated with intricate furnishing and finishes, including a large “Relaxation Tub” for guests to enjoy a satisfying soak.

    A number of room types can be found, including the signature Deluxe Riverside Retreat, Premier Riverside Retreat, and Banyan Tree Suite, most of which feature large French windows overlooking the river.