ITALIAN GOVERNMENT TOURIST BOARD PRESENTS . . . . "ITALIA MUCHMORE"
The Italian Government Tourist Board is pleased to present its new advertising campaign, “ITALIA MUCHMORE”, which will be marketed worldwide to promote Italy as a prime tourist destination.
USA:ABC from April 20 to May 8, 2009, CBS from April 22 to May 24, 2009, NBC from May 11 to May 23, 2009
CANADA
CTV from April 20 to May 17, 2009
The ads make use of breathtaking footage of Italy to stir emotions within the viewers. The scene in each TV spot varies based on the target audience for each one. Some examples: The Colosseum for young visitors, Mount Vesuvius for families, and Venice for couples. The musical score ranges from Opera arias to contemporary themes.
This is an excellent tool that will strengthen and promote the ITALIA brand worldwide, speaking to a wide range of viewers and their personal interests.
The Italian Government Tourist Board will broadcast the ads in several countries in which it organizes promotional activities and communication events (such as exhibitions, conventions, press conferences), as per its mission.
According to Mr. Riccardo Strano, Director of North America for the Italian Government Tourist Board and Mr. Pompilio Fabrizi, Director of Western USA “the TV ads of the 2009 Promotional Campaign represent a perfect tool that will allow potential tourists to discover the multifaceted beauty of Italy’s natural, artistic and cultural resources through the attractiveness of mega-brands – Rome, Venice and Naples – and sub-brands that are unique tourist and cultural assets, ideally designed to draw the attention of the viewers to a new, more affordable tourism, convenient year-round”.
SANTA BARBARA TRAVEL WRITERS COLLECTIVE MAKES A DEBUT
Local Travel Scribes will meet for the premiere luncheon of The Santa Barbara Travel Writers Collective at Cafe Shell in Santa Barbara at noon on June 20th. The luncheon is open to all area travel writers, and this meeting will include plans to create an annual agenda of activities and determine a mission for the group. For information email carrollbcpr@aol.com.
FOUR SEASON RESORT SEYCHELLES - HONEYMOOM HEAVEN
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is a remote, hillside retreat that embraces the natural simplicity of treetop living. It occupies an isolated position overlooking the idyllic bay of Petite Anse, just 17 km (30 minutes drive) from Mahé international airport.
The Resort covers a secluded area of 170 acres on the southwest coast of Mahé. It comprises 67 villas and suites and 28 Four Seasons Private Residences that descend down a lushly forested incline to the private, horseshoe beach of Petite Anse. Creole-inspired design complements the dramatic topography, with granite boulders, steep jungle slopes and a shoreline indented with pirate coves.
Each of the 67 tree-house villas and suites is perched on stilts amidst a jungle of coconut, mango, jackfruit and cinnamon trees. Standard features in all villas include infinity-edge plunge pool, open-air shower, glass-walled bathroom and expansive, private outdoor living space with sunset views over the Indian Ocean or surrounding landscape. At the base of the Resort, black granite boulders, powder-white sand and lush tropical foliage combine with the azure blues of the sea and sky to create a vivid image of beachside perfection.
High above the bay, the hilltop spa epitomises the sense of tranquility and seclusion found throughout the Resort. Other facilities include two restaurants and two lounge bars; an outdoor swimming pool that combines four pools in one; a water sports pavilion offering snorkelling, swimming, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and boat tours; a comprehensive fitness centre; library; art gallery and Kids for All Seasons Programme featuring ‘play and ‘spray’ pool and play area.
The Resort is an ideal setting for weddings and events, offering numerous formal and informal venues including a 202 sq m (2,174 sq ft) multi-purpose function room (catering for receptions of up to 85 guests) and a tiny venue within the ruins of a traditional Creole house, accommodating no more than four guests at a time. Visit: www.fourseasons.com
HOLLANDAMERICA LINE Debuts New 14-day AlaskaN Adventurer Cruisesin 2010
Flagship ms Amsterdam calls at Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak for the first time
Holland America Line is introducing new 14-day Alaskan Adventurer cruises on its flagship ms Amsterdam in 2010, which will sail roundtrip from Seattle and include a call at Anchorage for the first time. The 1,380-guest Amsterdam will be the first cruise ship of a major cruise line to call regularly in Anchorage, providing guests with a full day and evening in Alaska’s major city. The Amsterdam will also call at Homer and Kodiak, two new and less frequented ports for guests to discover.
The new itinerary reduces the cruise line’s overall 2010 Alaska deployment by 10 sailings or about 11,000 guests. The 10 new 14-day sailings replace 20 7-day sailings between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.
“The new Alaskan Adventurer itinerary is a great new offering in HollandAmerica’s Alaska cruise schedule,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. “It provides a longer itinerary choice – one that lets guests experience far more of Alaska’s grandeur while enjoying the ease of a roundtrip cruise. We anticipate many guests will opt for a longer cruise that includes more glacier viewing and ports of call.”
The 14-day Alaskan Adventurer cruises depart roundtrip from SeattleMay 17 through September 6, 2010. The Amsterdam sails the scenic Inside Passage, highlighted by cruising Tracy Arm fjord with its magnificent twin Sawyer Glaciers. The ship also cruises by Alaska’s mighty Hubbard Glacier in YakutatBay – the largest glacier in North America. Historic ports of call include Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Juneau and Victoria, BC.
“With the three new ports of Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak, guests will enjoy a unique Alaska cruising experience not available on other cruise itineraries,” said Meadows.
In Anchorage, guests can take a comprehensive city tour including the 25-acre AlaskaNativeHeritageCenter, plus have time to enjoy the city’s museums, shopping and fine dining. In Homer, they experience its breathtaking location at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, the AlaskaIslands & OceanVisitorCenter and the famous Homer Spit in KachemakBay. Kodiak is truly off the beaten path, reflecting both 7,500 years of native Alutiiq heritage and Russian fur trading influence since 1792 as the first capital of Russian America.Shore excursion options out of Anchorage include day trips to Talkeetna for views of Mt.McKinley, flightseeing of the mountain, rafting, sportfishing and more. There will be opportunities for bear viewing, a TurnaginPass float trip or a day tour to Girdwood for a tram ride to the top of Mt.Alyeska and lunch.
The Alaskan Adventurer increases the choice of HollandAmerica itineraries to a total of four in 2010, joining the popular Alaskan Explorer, Glacier Discovery andGlacier Bay Inside Passage itineraries. These seven-day cruises sail both roundtrip from Seattle and Vancouver and one-way between Vancouver and Seward.HollandAmerica’s schedule features eight ships offering 149 total departures from May 3 through September 24, 2010.
Cruise-only fares start at US$1,899 per person, double occupancy for the Amsterdam’s 14-day Alaskan Adventurer sailings. Alaska cruises will be open for booking beginning April 10. For more information and to book a cruise, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
EURAIL PASS SALES CHALLENGED BY ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
The Eurail Group G.I.E. has reported a modest drop in EurailPass passengers triggered by the global economic downturn, but expects a full recovery in the coming years.
The Eurail Group’s passes offer flexible travel throughout Europe to overseas visitors. With a total of just over 433,000 customers, passenger numbers in 2008 were down by 7.5% in comparison to 2007.
“We are not experiencing an unwillingness to travel, rather a decline in travel due to people having to prioritize their budgets. For many, holidays abroad need to be put on hold. Once the market picks up, we expect sales to grow again,” explained Ana Dias e Seixas, the Eurail Group’s Marketing Director.
“The Eurail Group and its authorized general sales agents foresee that passenger numbers will continue to fall in the immediate future. Subsequently, we’re concentrating on offering additional customer benefits to make the product more attractive, so we’re ready when the travel market recovers and people start taking trips abroad again. We expect a modest performance in 2009, but everything depends on the evolving economic situation.”
North America is the biggest market (50% of the market share), followed by the Asia-Pacific region (38%), which explains the challenging times Eurail Passes currently face. Signs of the weakening world economy are especially prevalent in the United States as well as in South Korea. However, several of the key markets are still showing considerable growth. Sales from Japan, Australia, and Canada were up by between 4 and 8%. A special global promotion launched during the fourth quarter of 2008 helped generate additional sales.
Whilst most customers (around 57%) still wish to discover as much of Europe as possible, opting for a pass covering 3 to 5 connecting countries, or the classic EurailGlobalPass, which covers 21 countries, it’s clear that times are changing. Launched in 2006, the relatively new EurailOneCountryPass range has become an important product line for Eurail with market trends favoring shorter trips to fewer destinations. Sales of this product are up by 14%.
Traditional western European destinations such as France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and the Benelux region remain favorites for visitors – however, there is also an increased interest in discovering Eastern Europe. Consequently, the Czech Republic was introduced in the Global and SelectPass schemes this year, and Bulgaria became a OneCountryPass member.
The Eurail Group considers climate change a serious issue and believes that passes can be used as a tool to stimulate environmentally friendly travel. Rail travel also has many other benefits: not only are trains safe, convenient and efficient, a well-planned trip can be very cost effective with one pass being used to visit multiple destinations across the whole of Europe. With today’s modern high-speed connections, journey times are surprisingly quick. A direct train ride from Berlin to Munich covering 410 miles takes under six hours; from Copenhagen to Stockholm, you can travel 400 miles in just over five hours; and Paris to Bordeaux (a 350-mile journey) takes a mere three hours.
TEL AVIV LAUNCHES YEAR-LONG PROGRAM OF CENTENNIAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS, APRIL 4
·Tel Aviv will host its annual White Night Celebration on May 27th--an all-night festival featuring live music, actors and stagecoaches taking place on the famous Rothschild Boulevard in the center of Tel Aviv. The Carmel Market will remain open all night and a special photography exhibit documenting the market's history will be on display.
·A free, outdoor production of Verdi's Requiem will be performed by the prestigious La Scala Opera House as part of the Centennial Summer Highlight on July 16th in Hayarkon Park. Also, the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center will host a series of free outdoor musical events throughout July and August, including Saturday night jazz and classical music concerts.
·Tel Aviv-Jaffa's Blue Festival--a celebration of Mediterranean culture, music and food, will take place on the recently renovated port, parks and streets of Jaffa from June 17-18.
·Other events scheduled to take place during Tel Aviv-Jaffa's centennial include the month-long International Art Biennale (ARTLV) from September 9, which will showcase contemporary works in dozens of exhibitions, the city-wide Teen Festival--which includes pop concerts, sport activities and dance festivals; Tel Aviv's Fashion Week from October 19-22, and the Green Festival, a dedication of the Green Route along the Hayarkon River and a centennial bike ride on October 17th.
POPE BENEDICT XVI TO MAKE FIRST PAPAL VISIT TO ISRAEL, MAY 8-15
Pope Benedict XVI will make his first papal visit to Israel from May 8-15 this year.
The Pope's visit will include stops at several Christian and Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem, including the Yad Vashem Museum and Memorial of the Holocaust, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, Mount Zion and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. President Shimon Peres will be the Pope's host and escort.
"The Pope inspires an atmosphere of understanding and peace between all peoples and religions," says Tourism Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balil. "We expect his visit to encourage thousands of pilgrims around the world to follow in his footsteps."
Pope Benedict XVI will deliver Mass at Manger Square in the Palestinian Authority city of Bethlehem on May 13th and another at Mount Precipice near Nazareth on May 14th. The Pope's arrival will be his first visit to Israel since accompanying Pope John Paul II on his pilgrimage in 2000.
The Israel Ministry of Tourism will also launch a brand-new website on April 15th with information and a full itinerary of the Pope's visit to the Holy Land. For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.
AirTran Announces Low-Cost Service to Branson
First Carrier to Serve New Airport Starting May 11, 2009
The BransonAirport, the first privately financed and operated commercial service airport in the U.S., announced that AirTran Airways will be the first national network carrier for the new airport with service to the “Live Music Show Capital of the World” when it opens in May 2009.
“I fly AirTran and know it well. The dynamics of this announcement will help Branson link to the rest of the world. It is one small step for Missouri – One giant leap for Branson,” quipped Tony Orlando.
“AirTran Airways is a perfect fit for the BransonAirport,” said Steve Peet, CEO, BransonAirport.“Daily, nonstop, low-cost air travel to and from Branson was the goal when we started this project. We are thrilled that the number-one ranked airline in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study is our first national carrier.”
Ross Summers, President/CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau agreed. “This will benefit our leisure travelers outside of the 7-8 hour drive time, who may not have the time to spend a couple of days of their vacation on the road. Convention business will continue to grow with low-cost airfare and even the motorcoach industry will have a fly/drive option of using local buses for their tours.”
AirTran Airways will offer roundtrip nonstop flights between BransonAirport and Hartsfield-JacksonAtlantaInternationalAirport in Atlanta, Ga., beginning May 11, 2009, when the BransonAirport begins operations.
SEATTLE LANDMARK A TOURIST 'MUST SEE'
Experience history "on the hoof" as you explore the infamous birthplace of Seattle with the Seattle Architecture Foundation on April 11.
This tour lasts approximately 2 hours and will begin at 10 am outside the entrance to Elliot Bay Book Company, 101 South Main St. Advance registration is not required, but walk-ups are limited to space available. Tour is $15 in advance/$20 day of tour. Visit: www.seattletravelgram.com.
There’s nothing more satisfactory than doing something one really likes in an enchanting location! That’s why Lugano is the favourite destination for golf lovers from all over the world. Set in a splendid pre-alpine landscape, amongst beech woods, rhododendrons and azaleas, the Lugano Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course (PAR 70 – m. 5575) and is extremely easy to reach from the Hotel.
2 Nights in light and airy Superior double room with balcony and panoramic views
Early check-in and late check-out upon availability
Half board arrangement** (rich breakfast buffet and dinner**)
1 Golf green fee of 18 holes at the Lugano Golf Club
20% Special discount on green fees in selected golf clubs in Ticino and Northern Italy
1 Soothing or sport massage of 50 minutes
Free access to all the services offered by the Sassa Wellness Club with heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool bath, sauna, Turkish bath and relaxation area
Fitness area with use of state-of-the-art equipment for the entire day. Possibility of taking part in the wet or dry programs during your stay.
Catalina is just an hour away from the Southern California mainland and as the song says: Catalina Island is the place to be! Why not treat yourself to a quick, easy and relaxing Catalina Island holiday this month.
And don't forget to celebrate with us the annual return of Catalina's famous Flying Fish at our 2nd Annual Flying Fish Festival on May 28th - May 31st. It's a four day festival of family fun with flying fish tours, sand castle building, a street fair, and this year, a Good Vibrations concert in the Avalon Ballroom to celebrate the Casino Building's 80th anniversary.
Travel Tips From Andria Mitsakos Here are her Top Five favorite “one flight wonders”: JAMAICA Flight time from New York: 3hr 50min Flight time from Miami: 1hr 40min Accommodations: Geejam, a new, seven-room retreat where jungle meets beach. Website:www.islandoutpost.com Insider’s tip: Most don’t know that tourism in Jamaica originated in Port Antonio at the turn of the 19th century. Spend the day jet skiing along Portie’s wild coastline. Stop off at its seven beaches. Take a dip in the real Blue Lagoon. NASSAU Flight time from New York: 3 hours Flight time from Miami: 1 hour Accommodations: Marley Resort & Spa, just 16 rooms and run by Bob Marley’s daughter, Stephanie Website:www.marleyresort.com Insider’s tip: Get off the plane, and into a taxi and head straight to Good Fellows organic farm and market. Loads of fresh sandwiches, salads and other items are made right on the premises, in addition to an international array of gourmet items. Perfect for a beach picnic. ST. MAARTEN Flight time from New York: 4 hours Flight time from Miami: 2 hours 50 minutes Accommodations: Rent an apartment in Aquamarina, the island’s most chic real estate development. Website:www.aquamarinasxm.com Insider’s tip: Flights back to NY and Miami are generally in the afternoon, and the airport is five minutes away from Aquamarina, so on your departure day, get up early, check-in for your flight and then head back only 45 minutes prior to departure time. Another beach day earned! Double insider’s tip: Hop a ferry to nearby Anguilla or St Barth. St Maarten is a great jumping-off point for the region. BARBADOS Flight time from New York: 5 hours Flight time from Miami: 3 hours 30 minutes Accommodations: The House, Barbados’s boutique hotel answer to the laid back for the jet set. Website:www.eleganthotels.com Insider’s tip: Needn’t go far for an amazing meal. Daphne’s, located adjacent to The House, is one of the most coveted restaurants in the Caribbean. Princess Diana frequented its London counterpart. PARIS Flight time from New York: 7 hours 40 minutes Flight time from Miami: 9 hours Accommodations: Rent an apartment steps from Place Vendôme with Welcome2france.com; always less expensive than the city’s leading hotels. Website: www.welcome2france.com Insider’s tip: On Sundays, everything in Paris is closed, so head to Le Marais, a neighborhood in the city’s Jewish quarter, where everything is open. Book a gomage (body scrub) and steam at Les Bains du Marais. Jet lag: cured.
ST. MORITZ ALWAYS A PLACE TO BE
Chic, elegant and exclusive. A cosmopolitan ambience, nestled 5600 feet high among the Swiss Alps along pristine mountain lakes in the Upper-Engadine Valley. St. Moritz is arguably the most famous resort in the world.
Its dry, sparkling "champagne climate" is legendary and the (trademark) St. Moritz sun shines in the deep blue sky 322 days a year - more than anywhere else in Switzerland. How to get there: By train: Rhätische Bahn Chur - St. Moritz By car: Chur - Julier Pass - St. Moritz
One of India’s finest luxury hotel groups, The Leela Hotels, Palaces & Resorts recently marked the soft opening of its first property in northern India. Part of an upscale, mixed-use development in New Delhi’s newest satellite business and shopping district, The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon, Delhi (N.C.R.) has 322 luxuriously-appointed guest rooms and suites and will soon open 90 one-, two- and three-bedroom Residences.
A showcase of Indian contemporary art matched with all the latest advanced technology, the property has four restaurants – one boasting six open kitchens – serving Indian, Italian and international cuisine, a 20,000-square-foot spa offering Ayurvedic treatments, a state-of-the art fitness center with yoga and aerobic studios, a large heated outdoor pool, 26,900 square feet of banquet and meeting space, a Cigar Lounge and a 24-hour business center. Curator Rajeev Sethi has filled The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon with striking sculptures, modern photography and paintings by contemporary Indian and international artists under the theme “evolution.”
A 15-minute drive from the IndiraGandhiInternationalAirport and just over the Delhi-Gurgaon border on the edge of the Rajokri green belt, the hotel adjoins a luxury shopping and entertainment center, the largest in India. Nearby are business parks with tenants such as General Electric, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Siemans and American Express. Leela’s first managed property is the only one in the region offering comprehensive solutions for today’s luxury living.
The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon was designed by the internationally-acclaimed Hirsch Bedner & Associates in a modern minimalist style. The expansive rooms (484 to 559 square feet) and huge suites (818 to 3,616 square feet for the Presidential Suite) have LCD televisions with Blue Ray players, Bose iPod docks, high-speed Internet with 6mbps, Wi-Fi, IP phones and advanced security systems. King and twin beds come equipped with ergonomic mattresses, the marble baths are outfitted with large soaking tubs and rain showers and some rooms have terraces. The Royal Club offers its guests a private lounge and personalized butler service on two floors.
Commenting on the management collaboration, Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair, chairman, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “It is a momentous occasion for us to have the first Leela hotel in north India. Our management alliance with Ambience Group, headed by the well-known Raj Singh Gehlot has been an important milestone in the group’s expansion plan. At The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon, Delhi (N.C.R.) our patrons and guests will experience the same distinguished hospitality as experienced in other Leela hotels.”
The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts has an ambitious expansion under way. With five properties operational, three more hotels opening this year and next, and plans for three more, The Leela aims to be a major force in the Indian hospitality industry with a presence in the country’s major resort and business destinations.
At the opening, Raj Singh Gehlot, chairman, Ambience Group said, “we are delighted to join hands with The Leela and to bring the experience of the foremost Indian hotel group to the city of Gurgaon. The hotel is among several other key luxury projects at AmbienceIsland. The addition of The Leela Kempinski is an integral part of this mixed-use complex, qualifying the AmbienceIsland as a luxury destination for residents, visitors and guests.”
About The LeelaPalaces, Hotels and Resorts
Hotel Leelaventure Ltd. operates The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Kovalam (Kerala), Gurgaon and soon Udaipur. Located in key business and leisure destinations, and charting a pan India presence in the near future, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts are a blend of aesthetic sensibility, modern amenities and truly reflect the essence of India. New hotels will soon open in Chennai (2010) and New Delhi (2010); with future plans to develop hotels in Agra, Hyderabad and Pune. The group has marketing alliances with Germany based Kempinski (Hoteliers since 1897); US based Preferred Hotel Group and are members of Global Hotel Alliance based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Both Costa Smeralda and Hotel Pitrizza’s arresting and remarkably fluid juxtaposition of organic and modern comes courtesy of one of Italy’s most influential architects.
In the early 1960’s, Ismaili Prince Aga Khan IV—in an effort to breathe new life into Costa Smeralda’s tourist industry—recruited the renowned architect Luigi Vietti to join the prestigious Architectural Committee of the Costa Smeralda, which comprised the influential Savin Couelle, Jacques Couelle, and Busiri-Vici.
As a principal player in the architectural decisions of the Costa Smeralda, Vietti's signature designs include majestic villas with generous living spaces—an homage to a past era of abundant open land. In addition to his buildings, Vietti supplied the Cerasarda ceramic factory with elegant designs that continue to distinguish the Costa Smeralda’s graceful interiors.
After creating the Village of Porto Cervo and Aga Khan’s home, Cerbiatte Villas, he turned his talents to Hotel Pitrizza. Later projects included Porto Cervo’s Dolce Sposa complex and many grand villas in the area.
Vietti’s work in Sardinia is characterized by harmonizing buildings with their natural surroundings, and Hotel Pitrizza is a premier example. Originally constructed in 1963, it blends fluidly into the landscape, as rustic as the savage terrain behind it and as striking as the white sand beaches and translucent aquamarine waters in front.
In 1990, the hotel undertook a complete restoration, and is current grandeur is a contemporary take on Vietti’s Mediterranean style. Even more recently, the hotel has completed new sea view suites and villas with private beaches or pools—an evolution worthy of the architect’s inventive efforts. Visit: www.starwoodhotels.com for additional information. Hotel Pitrizza, Costa Smeralda, Costa Smeralda · Porto Cervo 07020 · Italy
AIR EUROPA TO LAUNCH MIAMI-TENERIFE SERVICE
Spanish Airline to Offer Weekly Flights to Canary Islands
Air Europa will inaugurate weekly service from Miami to Tenerife, in the Canary Islands on June 20. The Spanish-owned airline will offer one weekly flight on Saturdays from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Tenerife’s NorthAirport, or Tenerife Norte (TFN), aboard a 299-passenger Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with 24 Business Class seats and 275 seats in Economy Class.
Tenerife tourism officials are thrilled, as it will bring more visitors – some 300,000 Floridians are of CanaryIsland descent – to explore the beauties of the seven islands in the archipelago.
Air Europa flight UX 096 will depart MiamiInternationalAirport at 5:00 PM, arriving in Tenerife the next day at 7:35 AM. The return flight, Air Europa UX 095, will depart Tenerife at 1:50 PM, arriving back in Miami at 4:50 PM the same day.
Lying just 62 miles off the African coast in the Atlantic, these volcanic islands offer a year-round temperate climate, a variety of striking landscapes, every water sport imaginable, charming towns and a wealth of dining and nightlife options. The chain’s largest, Tenerife is crowned by the majestic dormant volcano of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak at 12,195 feet. Surrounding peaks are carpeted with thick forests. Tenerife has miles of beaches to the south where many of the resort hotels can be found and several unspoiled villages surrounded by vineyards and banana plantations in the green north. Backed by mountains and shaded by palms, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is an important regional deepwater port and boasts many historic buildings including a church dating from 1500, archaeological and fine arts museums and the bustling food market/bazaar Mercado de Nuesta Señora de África. In Puerto de la Cruz there is a wine museum, the OrotavaBotanical Garden and Loro Parque, a subtropical garden with over 1000 parrots and the world’s largest penguin zoo. The island’s first capital, San Cristobal de la Laguna is a busyuniversity town with many atmospheric squares. It has UNESCO World Heritage status and as the first non-fortified Spanish colonial town, it was the model for many colonial towns in the Americas. The city’s historic quarter, between the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción (1502) and the Plaza del Adelantado, has several Colonial buildings, including one 400-year-old mansion that now houses the TenerifeHistoryMuseum. The island has an abundance of sunny days and moderate temperatures which range between 65 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 78 degrees in summer. Tenerifeoffers plenty of shopping, sports activities and entertainment options.
“Up until now it was difficult for Americans to get to the Canary Islands,” explains Javier Piñanes, director of the Tourist Office of Spain in New York. “This new service will open up a new warm-weather destination for Americans, particularly those from the southeastern U.S.,” Piñanes says.
And from Tenerife, travelers can continue to Gran Canaria which features one of the archipelago’s most beautiful stretches of beach – some five miles long – or opt for the futuristic landscape of Lanzarote with its hardened lava and dark dunes. The entire island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and conservation and controlled development make it an attractive vacation choice.
For further information about Air Europa, go towww.aireuropa.com . For further information about Spain, contact your travel provider or the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7195) or go to www.spain.info
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