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]
Rabat’s The National Zoological Garden (JZN) obtained TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the second consecutive year.
TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence has been awarded for the second consecutive year to the national zoological garden in Rabat for its quality of service, reports www.moroccoworldnews.com
The zoo obtained this award because of the positive feedback of its visitors on the TripAdvisor website. The zoo had received an overall rating of 4/5 based on the appreciation of the local and foreign visitors.
This rating consequently ranks the zoo in the top 5 most visited attractions in Rabat and places it number one for open air activities.
This award, according to a communiqué released by the JZN, represents the recognition of the visitors to the quality of the zoo services.
TripAdvisor is the most popular online platform in the world and is present in 45 countries. The website is used for referencing, comparing, and rating the services of touristic establishments like hotels.
With more than 340 million visits a month and more than 225 million opinions on more than 4.6 million touristic establishments, the website is considered very reliable because it gives access to the real testimonies of visitors of these touristic attractions.
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]
Sao Tome and Principe operator CST and local hotel and agritourism group HBD have opened a new microwave radio link in Roca Sundy that will support telecommunications between the islands of Principe and Sao Tome, reports Telanon.
It is the second-largest wireless connection in the world across the sea and will increase the capacity of the current connection ninefold. Through this new link, the island of Principe will take advantage of the fibre optic submarine cable connection, thereby reaching speeds of 100 Mbps, and it will be able to get all the services available in Sao Tome.
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]
Kastrup Lufthavn i København forenkler adgangen til gratis wi-fi nå i sommer, skriver VG.
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]
Antallet golfturister til Den dominikanske republikk øker stadig. Landet har hele 25 flotte baner, og to nye er under bygging. Det er suverent flest i Karibia, skriver VG.
Den dominikanske republikk ligger vest for Puerto Rico, dit Norwegian starter direkteflyvninger.
Den dominikanske republikk utgjør den østlige delen av øya Hispaniola, der Haiti utgjør den vestlige delen.
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 new video from British Airways gives its customers a pilot’s eye view of landing into one of its newest destinations – Funchal, capital of Madeira, www.breakingtravelnews.com reports.
The airport – one of the most challenging landings on the airline’s worldwide network – requires special approval from the Portuguese aviation authority for pilots to fly there.
British Airways’ expert pilot training team created a bespoke plan that received approval and allowed the airline to start flying to Funchal.
Pilots flying the three times a week service from Gatwick must undergo specialist training, including flight simulation to study every aspect of the approach in detail.
The airline started flying three times a week from Gatwick to Funchal on May 11th, 2015.
In this video two of the airline’s highly trained pilots, British Airways Captains Ally Wilcox and Ian Mills, show how it’s done.
Wilcox said: “Our highest priority is always safety.”
“It’s built into everything we do, including our approved plan for flights to Funchal.”
“While we will be focused on the technical aspects of the landing procedure, our customers will be able to enjoy the great views of the Atlantic and the beautiful island of Madeira.”
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]
During the fasting month of Ramadan, thousands of Senegalese and Guinean Muslims flock to one of Conakry’s most popular mosques (pictured) each week to perform Friday prayers, the www.worldbulletin.net reports.
Last Friday, more than 2,000 worshipers attended – including Alpha Conde, the country’s president – despite the mosque’s seating capacity of only 750.
In March, the Guinean authorities had ordered the house of worship closed after the local Senegalese community, which controls the mosque, rejected the appointment of a Guinean – Youssouf Camara – as the mosque’s new imam.
According to an accord signed last year, prayers must be officiated by a Guinean imam, assisted by a co-imam drawn from the Senegalese community.
“It’s regrettable that there was a dispute between the two brother communities because of this mosque,” Conde said following Friday prayers.
“But now I promise you that I will ensure cohesion between the two communities,” he added.
Following recent talks between the two sides, the dispute now appears to have been settled, with the mosque’s imam set to remain a native of Guinea.
Conakry’s Senegalese community, which built the mosque early last century, welcomed the president’s statements.
“We are comforted that the president came here to call for Peace between the two communities,” says Doudou Bangoura, a spokesman for the Senegalese community.
“The mosque went through some difficult times because of quarrels over the imamate, which had affected the relationship between the two communities,” he said.
Bangoura noted, however, the two communities “shared history and geography,” going on to assert: “Senegal and Guinea are two lungs in one body.”
Since the mosque reopened two weeks ago, both Guineans and Senegalese have attended prayers together.
“Every day, the mosque has been full,” said a relieved Bangoura.
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]
Manuela Carmena (71), the new left-wing mayor of Madrid, is set to get rid of all street signs bearing references to the late dictator Francisco Franco, replacing them With the names of illustrious women and local heroes, www.thelocal.es reports.
The plan is the latest in a long list of changes made by the city’s new mayor – a former communist judge who ran with left-wing coalition Ahora Madrid – during her first few weeks in the position.
Madrid City Hall announced a “participatory” plan in which neighbourhoods will vote for who they want their streets named after.
According to Spanish daily 20 minutos, Carmena is keen to exchange Francoist street names for those of illustrious women, such as novelist Emilia Pardo Bazán and iconic Republican leader Dolores Ibárruri, known as La Pasionaria.
Another idea is to allow residents of each neighbourhood to vote for which of the area’s illustrious residents they would like to see immortalized on street signs.
Over 150 streets, squares and public spaces in Madrid still bear names that commemorate or celebrate the 1936 military coup, the Spanish Civil War and its protagonists, according to a City Hall spokesman.
The City Hall has said their aim is to comply completely with Spain’s Historical Memory Law, which was passed in 2007 and included an official condemnation of the Franco regime as well as the removal of Francoist symbols from public buildings and Spaces.
Despite the law being passed eight years ago, Madrid’s conservative city council had still not removed all the Francoist symbols from the city before May’s local elections, which saw the Popular Party lose their 24-year rule of the city in favour of left-wing Carmena.
“The guidelines are to comply with the law, respect the surroundings and that residents participate and give their approval,” a source from Madrid’s City Hall told 20 minutos.
Madrid still counts several streets named after Francoist soldiers, including General Varela, General Yagüe and General Fanjul as well as two streets that still bear the name of Franco himself: Avenida Comandante Franco in Chamartín and Travesía General Franco in the Carabanchel neighbourhood.
And Franco is not the only name she wants banned from the city; she is currently contemplating renaming Margaret Thatcher square less than a year after it was inaugurated by the previous conservative mayor of the city, Ana Botella.
General Francisco Franco ruled Spain as Caudillo (Head of State) from 1936 until his death in 1975, at the age of 82.
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]
Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide’s award-winning brand of hotels, on 2 July announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City, representing an addition to the brand’s growing portfolio of more than 625 hotels worldwide. The 109-room new hotel is the first Hilton Worldwide property in Guatemala.
Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City is owned and managed by Imperial Hospitality Management Company.
“This opening marks the seventh Latin American country with a Hilton Garden Inn hotel,” said Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn. “We?re thrilled to expand into Guatemala and look forward to introducing the brand’s value added amenities and service, backed by our Satisfaction PromiseTM, to a new market of business and leisure travelers.”
Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City is located in the financial and business district. Just 4 km away from the La Aurora International Airport, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. Major nearby attractions include the Domo Polideportivo arena, La Aurora Zoo, and Popol Vuh Museum. Guests will enjoy the warm appreciative Hilton Garden Inn Team Members for additional area recommendations.
“Our new Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City is welcoming for every traveler, whether on a business trip or family vacation,” said Alejandro Estrada, general manager. Leisure guests can enjoy our central location close to restaurants, entertainment and shopping centers; while business guests will enjoy our convenient access to the 24-hour business center and the hotel’s own complimentary services.”
Hilton Garden Inn offers welcoming services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while on the road. All Hilton Garden Inn guests will see why Life’s Better at the Garden through amenities offered at each peaceful and energizing Hilton Garden Inn location, including complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel also features eleven meeting rooms offering more than 2,250 square feet of flexible meeting space, including outdoor gardens for up to 250 guests.
The Garden Grille and Bar offers a full cooked-to-order breakfast and dinner, cocktails, and evening room service. The Pavilion Pantry is open 24 hours and features a complete selection of salty snacks, sweet treats, cold beverages, and frozen, microwaveable packaged items.
All 109 guest rooms boast the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens; a spacious and clutter-free work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room “hospitality center” with a mini fridge, and coffee maker. Guests’ rooms also feature a separate living area with sofa, soundproof windows, and a flat-screen HDTV.
Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City participates in Hilton HHonors, the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to earn Points & Miles on the same stay and No Blackout Dates on reward stays. HHonors members always get our lowest price with our Best Price Guarantee, along with HHonors Points, digital check-in and no booking fees only when they book directly through Hilton.
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]
Easily one of the most distinctive Caribbean nations, highlighted by an exotic, historic waterfront capital city in Fort-de-France, Martinique has nevertheless struggled to progress beyond secondary status as a cruise ship destination, www.travelpulse.com reports.
Officially an overseas region of France, Martinique’s 177,786 cruise ship visitors in 2014 ranks 25th among the 28 destinations tracked by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Yet last year’s cruise visitor total represents a 71 percent increase over 2013. In fact, Martinique has recorded a 524 percent increase in cruise ship guests since 2010.
The cruise ship arrivals have increase is due in large part to capital improvements at the Fort-de-France cruise port and new and enhanced attractions, according to officials at the Martinique Promotion Bureau.
Moreover, the island’s tourism stakeholders are forecasting a strong 2014-2015 cruise season, with several major U.S. and European cruise lines scheduled to make calls at Fort-de-France this season. The visits will be highlighted by calls from one of the largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean International’s 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas, which visited Martinique four times in January, March and April.
In addition to a variety of tours available in easy-to-reach areas around the capital city, cruise-ship visitors can opt for walking tours of Fort-de-France.
The city’s attractions range from the historic Schoelcher Library and Saint Louis Cathedral to the Aime Césaire Theater Museum, housed in a historic theater building that was once the mayoral office of the Martinique-born poet, author, politician and founder of French literature’s Négritude movement.
Tourists can now also visit the city’s iconic 17th-century Fort Saint-Louis, which had been closed to public viewing until this year.
Visitors can arrange for guided tours at the Fort-de-France Tourism Board’s information kiosk in Fort-de-France’s Place de la Savane park, steps from the cruise pier.
A popular local gathering spot, the park features a statue of Martinique-born Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon.
The statue was beheaded sometime during the 1990s, reputedly by individuals who blame the colonial-era monarch for supporting slavery’s re-establishment on the island.
Travelers can view multiple Fort-de-France sites via Cyclo’comm, transport vehicles which seat one to three passengers.
Driver-guides take visitors to 14 historic sites around downtown Fort-de-France.
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 amerikanske lavprisselskapet Jet Blue dro sist fredag i gang sin første ukentlige flyvning fra New York til Cubas hovedstad Havanna, skriver www.travelnews.no.
Sun Country Airlines har fløyet direkte mellom JFK i New York og Havanna i flere måneder allerede. Jet Blue er imidlertid det første, store USA-baserte flyselskapet som nå oppretter en fast forbindelse, etter at amerikanske myndigheter lettet på reiserestriksjonene. Jet Blue hadde planene klare allerede i mai, men kom ikke i gang før nå.
Selskapet benytter en 150-seters Airbus A320 til ruten mellom JFK og Havannas Jose Marti International Airport.
