www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
Det skulle ta 54 år før Cubas flagg offisielt heises i USAs hovedstad. Kubanske æresvakter i kritthvite uniformer foldet ut det røde, hvite og blå cubanske flagget ved bygningen som fra mandag fungerer som Havannas ambassade i Washington, skriver www.vg.no
Folkemengden som overvar seremonien, klappet og ropte «Viva Cuba», før cubanske diplomater og andre gjester sang den cubanske nasjonalsangen utenfor ambassaden, som kun ligger et steinkast unna Det hvite hus.
USA gjenåpner sin ambassade i Havanna neste måned, når den amerikanske utenriksministeren John Kerry besøker Cuba.
I dag tok Kerry imot sin kubanske kollega Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla i utenriksdepartementet i Washington. Det er første gang siden 1958 at en kubansk utenriksminister er på offisielt besøk i den amerikanske hovedstaden.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
Kampala is set to get its first city tour buses – a development that will come as a major boost for urban tourism and further diversify the tourism product offerings, reports www.eturbonews.com
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is working with Albrieux Africa tours to get the product running by the end of the year.
KCCA public & corporate affairs manager, Peter Kaujju, confirmed the city tour bus project saying it is part of the various initiatives aimed at increasing the allure of the city.
Kampala is considered the entertainment capital of East Africa and is one of the most diverse capitals across Africa. Its social scene and night life is almost unparalled across the region with theatre, bar, culture, and live shows dotting the city center from Monday to Monday.
“Kampala has the heritage that makes it special and unique. This is a city with a long and impressive history and cultural attractions spread in different corners for visitors to explore”, said Albrieux Giacomo, the boss of Albrieux Africa Tours.
The city tour itinerary includes stopovers at various elegant historical features that remain almost a secret because of limited marketing. Among them is the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Bahai Temple, Old Kampala Mosque that enables a visitor to see the entire city skyline, Kasubi tombs, Uganda Museum, and Makerere University – one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in East and Central Africa.
KCCA placed the invitation for expression of interest for the product in 2014. Three companies expressed interest, submitted bids, and were considered by KCCA contracts Committee.
According to Kaujju, the best evaluated bidder was Albrieux Africa Tours and Travel agency.
“KCCA signed a memorandum of understanding With the company to supply the city bus tour services for 5 years, the provider has initiated the procurement of two new Ashok Leyland double decker buses”, noted Kaujju.
Kaujju said the locations for the ticketing booth have been approved by KCCA and will be at the National theatre, Kabaka njagalla road near independence monument, and at the national museum.
“The authority has also secured space at Jubilee Park Sheraton to set up a tourist information center where UTB offices, tour operators/guide offices, a craft shop, UWA souvenir shop, and café will be set up”, said Kaujju.
Giacomo said the product is intended to maximize tourism revenue by taking them to places they would not have considered visiting because of traffic and lack of organized tours.
Globally, city tours enable short-stay visitors to experience the life of the country captured in the city but also add revenue to the economy through the purchase of souvenirs and spending on the short trips.
“We want to create brand/image and reputation for Kampala as a city of hospitality and recreation”, noted Giacomo.
The product, one of the many emerging, will also target to ignite domestic tourism ranging from schools to enthusiastic corporate groups and individuals as well as international tourists booked by tour operators and the walk in tourists.
It will also target conference and meeting delegates, foreign guests booked by foreign embassies, cultural tourists, religious tourists, business tourists, academic tourists, and political tourists
It will run under the theme “Kampala Landscape and Cultures” to let visitors have an experience of the “beautiful undulating scape and historical heritage” of Kampala, and the quiet and Scenic peaks of the hills. A suggested name for the tour is “The Seven Hills Odyssey”.
The main hotel cluster in the city, and thus the main embarkation point for visitors wishing to join the tour circuit, is the Nakasero area neighboring the major hotels of Sheraton, Serena, Speke, and Imperial Royal hotels.
“This is next to the independence green park and the Jubilee Park – all ideal for relaxing as you wait for your maiden ride”, noted Giacomo.
The company is proposing more use of the National Theatre complex in staging cultural shows and performances aimed at the tourism market.
They are also proposing the remodeling of the African Craft Village by removing the existing concrete structure to provide a setting which reflects Uganda’s cultural heritage with buildings reflecting indigenous architectural styles and materials.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
I morgen, mandag 20.juli, blir det dyrere å spise og drikke i Hellas, da momsen øker på en lang rekke varer. Det var et av kravene landets internasjonale kreditorer har stilt for at Hellas skal få en ny låneavtale, skriver NTB / www.e24.no
Moms på drikkevarer og mat på greske spisesteder økes fra 13 til 23 prosent.
Illustrasjonsfoto: yelp.ca
-Vår moussaka og ouzo kommer uheldigvis til å være dyrere fra mandag, sier Kostas Sarafis, en servitør i Athen, til nyhetsbyrået DPA.
Økningen i moms og avgifter ventes ifølge greske medier å tilføre statskassen 800 millioner euro, tilsvarende rundt 7 milliarder kroner, fram til årsskiftet.
Dessuten skal avgifter på andre varer økes fra og med mandag. Greske medier hadde søndag satt opp en liste over varer som kommer til å bli dyrere: Kjøtt, fisk, kaffe, te, juice, ris, mel meieriprodukter, toalettpapir og kondomer.
Ellers åpner de greske bankene igjen i morgen, men fremdeles med restriksjoner på uttak – som er satt til 60 euro per dag. Dette gjelder ikke utenlandske turister.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
Using woven loincloths, Senegalese stylists and designers have made Dakar a hub of African fashion
Woven loincloths are being used by Senegalese stylists and designers to embellish many traditional outfits, reports www.worldbulletin.net
The use of woven loincloths in fashion has boosted the activity and popularity of Senegalese weavers.
“We produce more. We stress on shiny fabrics that are popular with women,” Kabanta Mama Nanki, a weaver in Dakar told Anadolu Agency.
“We have customers from all over the country. Senegalese women buy woven loincloths for scarves and outfits,” says Nanki, who has been a weaver for over 30 years. “Our income has increased because designers are using more and more woven loincloths in fashion shows.”
Nanki also said they “have a variety of loincloths. Prices range between 11,000 and 25,000 FCA francs (around $22 and $55).”
Weavers from the Colobane neighborhood in Dakar come from the Manjaque ethnic group, a minority group in Senegal and Guinea Bissau.
In the fashion world, some designers do not hesitate to hire weavers. “Some recruit weavers. Others deal directly with those who have their own workshops,” Nanki said.
“We sometimes have customers who want loincloths for traditional outfits. When you buy a shiny fabric, it helps to have a nice traditional boubou,? said Mame Lo, a seamstress in Dakar.
Boubous are long, wide robes worn by many men in West Africa.
According to Nanki, they have more customers during winter. “We have more buyers in December and January. When it is cold, women prefer heavy scarves,” another weaver, Diez Sa, told Anadolu Agency.
In Senegal, loincloths are not used just for fashion, but also for therapeutic reasons.
“For the Manjaque people, loincloths protect against evil spirits. That is why married women wear them. They are also used for baptisms,” Nanki said.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
St Kitts and Nevis will kick off its first-annual Restaurant Week with tasting events at various hotels and restaurants. The events are open to the public, and all are invited to attend, reports the www.sknvibes.com website.
During Restaurant Week, July 16 to 26, 2015, restaurants across the Federation will offer special Restaurant Week menus at deep discounted prices. Some will offer Restaurant Week specials for just dinner, some just lunch, and some lunch and dinner. Over thirty restaurants between St. Kitts and Nevis are participating.
Organiziers of St. Kitts-Nevis Restaurant Week include the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture, Hotel and Tourism Association, and Tourism Authorities of both islands.
Restaurant Week aims to:
– Create affordable opportunities for locals to try different restaurants,
– Celebrate local produce such as mango and breadfruit in July when it is plentiful, and
– Support small and local restaurants during the low time of tourism season.
Restaurant Week will make dining out both affordable and fun for all. In addition to rock-bottom prices for multiple course meals, restaurants will offer all customers chances to win prizes and giveaways.
Additionally, two major promotions will add excitement nearly every night July 16-26.
The Restaurant Week kickoff event on Thursday July 16 will feature tastings of a signature cocktail sponsored by TDC Limited, as part of a promotion called “A Taste of TDC” that will run throughout Restaurant Week July 16-26.
A Taste of TDC During Restaurant Week, designated restaurants will create a signature TDC appetizer or cocktail that contains three secret ingredients – one beginning with letter “T” one beginning with letter “D” and one beginning with letter “C”.
All persons will be invited to come ot the restaurant to taste the signature dish or cocktail, and guess the secret ingredients. Based on a drawing of names, a person who guessed all three secret ingredients correctly will win an exciting prize from TDC. Persons are encouraged to make a reservation for dinner at the host restaurant.
The four restaurants where “A Taste of TDC” will take place are:
1) Blu at St. Kitts Marriott Resort (Restaurant Week Kickoff Thursday July 16, 5-7pm);
2) The Verandah at Ocean Terrace Inn (Friday 17th July, 2015);
3) Montpelier Plantation and Beach on Nevis (Date TBA); and
4) The Fisherman’s Wharf at Ocean Terrace Inn (Date TBA).
“A Taste of TDC” is just one of the exciting promotions and giveaways taking place throughout Restaurant Week July 16-26. Persons are encouraged to “Like” the St. Kitts-Nevis Restaurant Week page on Facebook for the latest updates. Menus of participating restaurants, and prices, are available at the Restaurant Week website: www.restaurantweek.kn.
All are encouraged to make advance reservations to secure a table, to enjoy the unbeatable discounts and promotions on offer.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
Tradisjonen tro ble Frankrikes nasjonaldag 14.juli – Bastille-dagen, feiret med en stor militærparade på Avenue es Champs-Elyssees. Foto: Mal Langsdon, Reuters / ibtimes.co.uk
Et storslagent fyrverkeri og Eiffeltårnet lyssatt i de franske nasjonalfargene hører med i feiringen.
Nasjonaldagen ble innført i 1880 til minne om stormen på middelalderborgen og fengselet Bastillen i Paris 14.juli 1789, og kalles også Bastilledagen. Hendelsen 14.juli 1789 var et kritisk øyeblikk i den franske revolusjonen.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
Ocean Beach Club. Foto: ving.no
I november åpner Ving dørene til sitt splitter nye designhotell Ocean Beach Club i Playa del Cura på Gran Canaria, skriver Se og Hør.
Det er fem år siden Ving åpnet sitt første Ocean Beach Club-hotell på Kreta. Det har vært en stor suksess, og nå håper selskapet å skape samme begeistring på Gran Canaria.
Prisene er lave og begynner på rett over 5000 kroner for en uke, med fly inkludert.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
A Marshall Islands business is buffeted by high waves. Photo: Radio New Zealand International / Giff Johnson
A typhoon formation alert has been lifted for the Republic of Marshall Islands, but the country’s main atoll of Majuro, the nation’s capital, is still counting the cost of damage done by rough seas and high winds, Radio New Zealand International – www.radionaz.co.nz, reports.
A tropical depression kicked up high Winds recently and surf battered shores around the atoll, with fishing vessels and yachts breaking off moorings and slamming into shore.
On land, winds blew off roofs, knocked down trees and caused power outages.
The storm in Majuro has blown yachts moored in the usually placid lagoon onto the shore. Photo: Radio New Zealand International / Giff Johnson
Radio New Zealand International’s correspondent on the Marshall Islands, Giff Johnson, says there is an extensive and expensive cleanup ahead.
“People who fish and run boats here are saying it’s the worst westerly that they’ve seen ever to hit the lagoon. It was just a cauldron of high winds and waves, and lots of boats broke loose from their moorings and up on the beach or on to reefs, and heavy damage along the shoreline from waves. The thing about it is this was a very unseasonal storm to hit.”
Giff Johnson says the out-of-season storm was incredibly ferocious for the time year.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
Den nylig lanserte nettportalen «Museeer i Israel ? den nasjonale portalen» er det første prosjektet i sitt slag som presenterer Israels utvikling innenfor bevaring og pleie av kultur og kulturarv, skriver www.travelnews.no
Den vil fungere som en inngangsport for mennesker over hele verden, med informasjon om Israels mange online museer tilgjengelig på datamskiner, nettbrett og smarttelefoner.
Mange israelske museer presenterer permanente og midlertidige utstillinger hele året til glede for publikum. Men de utstilte gjenstandene representerer bare en brøkdel av den enkelte samlingen. Museene har store lagre med mange gjenstander som normalt ikke er tilgjengelig for forskere og andre med spesielle interesser, som ønsker å fordype seg i samlingene for å lære om Israels historie.
Alt i alt finnes det i israelske museer lagret ca. 1,5 millioner gjenstander i alle mulige kategorier: Kunst, judaica, historie, arkeologi, verdens kulturer, natur og vitenskap.
Portalen inneholder informasjon om Israels museer, deres permanente og midlertidige utstillinger, tidligere utstillinger samt verdensberømte og lite kjente gjenstander, som nå vises frem for publikum for første gang.
Det enkelte museet har en egen side hvor de viser generell og spesifikk informasjon om deres aktiviteter, formål, åpningstider, kontakt- og reiseinformasjon, et utvalg av deres kolleksjoner m.m.
Portalen er åpen og fritt tilgjengelig for publikum i Israel og andre steder, og er utviklet for å oppfylle et ønske og behov hos mange forskjellige grupper.
I forbindelse med et samarbeid mellom Israel og Europa, kan portalen brukes til å få tilgang til Europeana, det felleseuropeiske digitale biblioteket hvor publikum kan finne, hente, se og forske i materialet. Portalen inneholder også avansert verktøy som kan hente frem og sammenligne gjenstander.
www.hovedsteder.blogg.no is a Norway-based blog about the capitals of the world, with a focus on tourism and travel, the environment, diplomatic affairs, lifestyle, culture and entertainment, food and drink. See also our travel blog at www.minbestereise.blogg.no – Contact us at [email protected]
Nå blir Lanzarote et mer attraktivt reisemål for golfere, skriver VG. I motsetning til naboøyene Gran Canaria, Tenerife og Fuerteventura har vulkanøya Lanzarote inntil for få år siden ikke vært et like attraktivt reisemål for golfturister.
Sportsanlegget Club La Santa, som blant annet er å finne i Star Tour sin katalog, har i forbindelse med en utbygging på 300 millioner kroner etablert et nytt treningsanlegg for golfspillere. Club La Santa ligger i Tinajo, på nordkysten av øya, ca.25 kilometer fra hovedstaden Arrecife.
I kombinasjon med Lanzarotes to golfbaner kan det føre til at øya blir en enda mer populær golfdestinasjon. Det nye treningsanlegget er på 4500 kvadratmeter, med ni treningsbokser, et innendørs treningssenter, to 18-hulls putting-greens og alt som er av moderne utstyr.
Spesielt ved anlegget er bruken av kunstgresset produsert av det verdensledende britiske firmaet Huxley Golf. Det er en kunstgresstype kalt Tee Turf 2, som av profesjonelle betegnes som den typen kunstgress som er nærmest naturlig gress.
