Re-inventing the Heart of Europe
The Central Europe Experience is just one concept meant to meld the icy walls of the Cold War into a new region that combines Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia into an identifiable new region. By crimping the edges of what was once considered East and West, the group is creating a new take on the old world. Add to this others on the edge of this constellation, Croatia, Slovenia, countries that also add to the burgeoning fixation on visiting the “next” destination. (www.gotocentraleruope.com)
Croatia: Although visitor arrivals to Croatia remain heavily European, Americans comprise nearly one-third of the visitor arrivals. Undoubtedly Dubrovnik ranks high especially for first time visitors to Croatia, but Zagreb is gaining a reputation as one of the Art Cities of Europe. Coastal resort, Opatija welcomed several new four and five-star properties while Croatia at large has recently welcomed Westin, Hilton, Ugo, Le Meridien, a new property on the island of Rab as well as Adriatic Luxe Hotels, villas and boutique properties and wellness centers, a specialty Croatia has always been known for. Croatia is also gaining visibility on the cruise front as Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Radisson Seven Seas, Celebrity and other cruise lines are dropping their anchors on the Dalmatian coast. For more information, contact Croatian National Tourist Office, 800-829-4416 or visit www.croatia.hr
Czech Republic: History and culture vulture clients need travel no further than the Czech Republic, which counts an even dozen UNESCO Sites. Contemporary art lovers may want to know about DOX, a new Museum of Modern Art, Architecture and Design housed in a renovated factory complex in Prague. The DOX installs anywhere from 8 to 10 exhibitions annually with programs that examine themes that link different art forms and contexts, question traditional roles of the artist, the curator, and the viewer to boost their creative cooperation. Visit www.doxprague.cz As of June, 2009 Delta will inaugurate its first daily nonstop service from New York-JFK to Prague, Czech Republic. Visit www.delta.com
Additionally, traveling to Prague from Continental Europe will also be easier, more comfortable and affordable with the new service available through the Eurail Global Pass and the Eurail Select Pass, both of which are available through The Eurail Group and Rail Europe. This year, the Eurail Global Pass is valid in 21 countries. Visit www.EurailGroup.com or www.raileurope.com Prague welcomed two new five-star properties, both of which are now opened for business: Rocco Forte’s The Augustine was created from a complex of five historic buildings, the largest and most important being the 13th century Augustinian St Thomas’ Monastery, after which the hotel is named. Visit www.roccofortehotels.com The Kempinski Residence Prague opened in the historical center of the city. Suites are available for short or long-term stays, while still enjoying housekeeping services, 24-hour valet parking and a shopping service to keep those fridges well-stocked. Visit www.kempinski.com
WORLDHOTELS announced the opening of a new affiliate hotel, the 36-room Buddha-Bar Hotel in Prague. The five-star WORLDHOTELS property is located close to the Old Town Square and only 10 minutes from Charles Bridge. For more information, contact Czech Tourism, 212-288-0830; www.czechtourism.com; or for the latest deals, visit www.traveldeals.czechtourism.com
Hungary: In a country where food is a major attraction, followed by spas, and culture, it is no wonder one of the hottest new developments in Budapest focuses on both food and culture. Not long ago, Ivan Rona, CEO for Hungarian National Tourist Office ticked off a few of the latest developments in Budapest in particular. Among them is SYMBOL Budapest, the first gastronomic complex with music located in the most exclusive part of Óbuda, about 900 feet from from Kolosy Square. SYMBOL Budapest, boasts some 9,000 feet of space, was established in an old house that is hundreds of years old. Among its varied parts is a gallery and event hall that can be used for conferences a 220-year old restaurant that specializes in Hungarian cuisine and a two-story Music Club that plays everything from funky to RnB and light music. The magical transformation is complete with a removable roof above the garden that can be peeled back. And, if it’s fine art and culture clients crave, suggest a visit to the Symbol Art Gallery. Visit www.symbolbudapest.hu Budapest’s Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal was recently voted ‘Best Luxury’ hotel in Budapest, Hungary, chosen among the ‘Best Service Europe Top 20’ and ‘Best Hotels in the Top 25 World Cities’ by the leading TripAdvisor®Travellers’ Choice. A member of the newly repositioned upper luxury Corinthia Hotels brand and of The Wyndham Grand Collection, the hotel was painstakingly restored and is a faithful reconstruction of the 110-year-old Grand Hotel Royal. Visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com For information, contact the Hungarian National Tourist Office, 212-695-1221; or visit www.gotohungary.com
Poland: Jan Rudomina, Director of the Polish National Tourist Office in the U.S. reports Delta and Continental are considering providing nonstop service to Warsaw soon.This year a spotlight is on the Industrial Monuments Route of Upper Silesia, which encompasses 31 locations associated with the traditions of mining and metallurgy, electricity generation, railways, communications, production of water and food processing. The city of Zabrze, in particular, is at the heart of this region, about 60 miles west of Krakow, considered to be the cradle of the Polish and European coal mining industry. Its oldest coal mines Krolowa Luiza and Guido dated back to 1791 and 1855, respectively, have been converted into live underground museums with machines as old as almost 100 years still in operation. For information, contact the Polish National Tourist Office, 201-420-9910; E-mail info.us@poland.travel; www.poland.travel
Romania: There is no reason not to go to Romania. With enhanced air service and new rail links, Romania feels like it is practically in the center of Europe. The partnership between the Romanian Tourist Office and Austrian Airlines will continue in 2009. Austrian Airlines, the preferred airline for travel from North America to Romania offers daily trans-Atlantic flights from New York, Washington and Toronto to five Romanian cities: Bucharest, Cluj, Timisoara, Sibiu and Iasi with a stop in Vienna. Delta Airlines will resume its non-stop flights from New York-JFK to Bucharest (OTP) in June 2009. European low-cost airlines such as: EasyJet, Ryanair, Germanwings, Wizzair, Blue Air, SkyEurope, MyAir, Cimber Air fly from European hubs while Geneva-basd Baboo services Bucharest. Rail Europe includes Romania in its two or three-Country Passes. For example, the Austria - Hungary - Romania Pass or Romania - Hungary Pass are available for 5, 6, 8 and 10 travel days within a two-month period. For those interested in vintage trains, the narrow-gauge steam train “Mocanita” runs every day except Sundays from the small town of Viseu de Sus (northwestern Romania) to settlements higher up in the picturesque Iza Valley and the Dracula Express that was introduced in 2008, is a national landmark train, dating back to the 1800s when its cars were to be part of the famed Orient Express train traveling from Paris to Istanbul, via Bucharest. Romania is turning up in a wider range of tour operator portfolios this year such as: Pure Adventures, Hidden Trails, Wilderness Travel and Tauck Tours, and have joined the group of well-known Romania specialist such as Quest Tours, Five Star Touring, Tradesco and Kutrubes Travel. Travel Bound has recently included several Romanian hotels in its offer. Special-interest tours such as wildlife watching in the Danube Delta, medieval art in Transylvania and wine tastings are also more available this year. For information, contact the Romanian Tourist Office, 212-545-8484; E-mail Trade@RomaniaTourism.com; www.RomaniaTourism.com
Slovenia: After last year’s successful presentation in cooperation with National Geographic Traveler, the Slovenian Tourist Board will continue its promotional activities in the U.S. through a series of workshops in May 2009. In the meantime, Portorož welcomed the opening of Kempinski’s Palace Hotel, after several years of renovation. Visit www.hotel-palace.si/en/ Slovenia is much more accessible than most travelers realize and it can be an ideal starting point for visiting well-known places in neighboring countries (Venice is just under two hours drive from the border (93 miles) and Tuscany’s capital, Florence, a half-day away (250 miles). Further north are Austria’s cities such as Salzburg (186 miles from the border) and Vienna (310 miles) both within easy reach. A little further away, but worth the drive is Prague, in the Czech Republic (400 miles). Slovenia’s carrier, Adria Airways, links the capital city Ljubljana with more than 25 European cities and offers excellent connections to Southeastern Europe. Visit www.adria-airways.com For information, contact the Slovenia Tourist Board, E-mail info@slovenia.info; or visit www.slovenia.info
Air Astana Focuses on Long-Term Plans “Although the global air transport industry faced enormous challenges in 2008, Air Astana [KC] still managed to achieve growth in passenger traffic, fleet and route network. In doing so, it remains firmly on track for its long term development objectives and remains the industry leader in the CIS region,” said Peter Foster, President of Air Astana. The flag carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Air Astana’s fleet grew to 21 aircraft during the year following the delivery of three additional Airbus A320 family aircraft. The airline confirmed orders for six A320 family aircraft, with the fleet on track to grow to 34 aircraft in 2014 and 63 by 2022.Other recent developments included 100% implementation of electronic ticketing and the opening of a new reservations center in Astana. Air Astana is a full member of the IATA and is the only airline in Kazakhstan with EASA Part 145 aircraft maintenance certification. Call Air Astana at 888-855-1557; E-mail astana@groupsystemsamerica.com