Highlights Of What To Do In FrankfurtRhineMain Germany During 2019

Do you really know Germany? Do you know which highlights and events would be attractive to write about? We would like to present a few of the exclusive events and highlights in the FrankfurtRhineMain region in 2019. It’s time to discover the true gems of Germany, many of which are situated just one or two hours away from Frankfurt. This is where four different states, and indeed four distinct cultures, come together, making for a true German experience. The Rhine in Flames, a Bavarian Volksfest, international food and wine festivals - it’s all you could expect and that little bit more!

The Rhine in Flames

If you think the Rhine Valley couldn’t possibly be more magical and fascinating than it already is, then you haven’t yet seen the Rhine in Flames. This famous festival, which starts in Bingen and Rüdesheim among others, illuminates the banks of the Rhine and it’s “flaming castles”. You can experience it from the river banks or aboard a ship in Europe’s largest procession. The boat trip could also include food, wine and live music, making the experience of gliding along the illuminated Rhine even more magical. The event in Bingen and Rüdesheim will be held on July 6, 2019. Make sure to book event tickets and hotels early enough, as this event is very popular with visitors from all over the world.

Click here for more information. 

The Rheingau Wine Festival

The city of Wiesbaden and the surrounding Rheingau region are one of the top winegrowing regions in Germany, producing the finest Riesling you could imagine. Once a year, the winegrowers come together to present their vintages at the Rheingau Wine Festival in Wiesbaden, which comprises more than 120 wine and food stalls. This is a unique experience for food lovers and a great opportunity to combine an event with a round trip in the beautiful FrankfurtRhineMain region. Wiesbaden is situated no more than a half hour’s drive from Frankfurt, meaning that it’s perfect for when you fly to Frankfurt International Airport. The event will take place on August 9 to 18, 2019. Visit the Wiesbaden website for other events.

Click here for more information. 

The Apple Wine Festival

Did you know that the most popular beverage in Frankfurt is apple wine, which is similar to cider? It is an important part of the city’s identity and visiting one of the traditional apple wine restaurants in Sachsenhausen is a true Frankfurt experience. Frankfurt is proud of its delicious apple creation and celebrates it with a yearly festival called the Apple Wine Festival, taking place on August 9 to 18, 2019. August is a good month to visit the FrankfurtRhineMain region for anyone interested in wine and food festivals. Why not combine the Apple Wine Festival and the Rheingau Wine Festival? A further event in Frankfurt also well worth a visit is the Museum Embankment Festival on August 23 to 25, 2019! 

Please click here for more information about events in Frankfurt.

European Elvis Festival

Elvis Presley called Bad Nauheim home during his military service back in the 1950s, and, needless to say, left many traces. In commemoration of the King of Rock and Roll, the city organizes an annual European Elvis Festival with concerts, exhibitions, interviews with people who knew him then, and impressive classic car parades. A visit to his former residence will round off your trip nicely.

Please click here for more information about Elvis in Bad Nauheim.

Bavarian Volksfest

The half-timbered town of Miltenberg in Bavaria, situated little more than an hour away from Frankfurt, is the perfect choice for a real Bavarian experience. The largest folk festival on the Bavarian Lower Main, the Michaelismesse goes back 650 years and is a perfect combination of amusement park, modern exhibition, and traditional booths. A visit to the beer tents with live music completes the festive atmosphere.

PLease click here for more information about Miltenberg. 

Medieval Castle Festival

Drive less than half an hour south of Frankfurt and you will find a little gem called Dreieichenhain, a little, charming, half-timbered town where the medieval Hayner Castle Festival takes place every year. In 2019, this will be on September 6 to 8. The concerts, cuisine, jousting tournaments, and traditional medieval handcrafts will certainly take you back to this historic time.

Click here to see the highlights of the festival (in German).

Other events in the FrankfurtRhineMain region

Have you ever heard of Germany’s oldest street festival? It’s called Theatrium and is held in Wiesbaden on June 14 to 15. The neighboring city, Mainz, hosts one of the absolute top events for all carnival fans, “Fasching”, which is considered the “fifth season” due to its popularity with the Germans. From February 28 to March 6, 2019, the city is transformed into a vibrant party with parades and a wonderful atmosphere. Bingen Swingt - held in Bingen, the gateway to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, on the last weekend of June - is equivalent to a cool summer breeze in the blistering heat for music lovers. This annual international jazz festival attracts thousands of visitors to listen to the funky beats of numerous jazz artists on six open-air stages in the town and on the river banks. Every year on the last weekend in October, the Fairytale and Saga Days in Reichelsheim (Odenwald) is a great opportunity for fantasy and mythology fans, particularly children, to explore the world of fairy tales.

For more information on exciting events in the FrankfurtRhineMain region, please visit our website or contact us directly. We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas time and Happy New year 2019! 

AirHelp Reveals Most Popular & Disrupted Flight Routes For Christmas Week 2018 And Compensation For Disruptions Under European Law

Number of Disrupted Flights During Christmas Week: 83,000

Number of Passengers Who Experienced Flight Disruptions During Christmas Week: 7.9 million

Worst Day to Fly: December 22 (Friday before Christmas)

Most Popular Routes During Christmas Week:

1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 
2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
3. New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 
4. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
5. New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
6. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
7. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
8. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Portland International Airport (PDX)
10. Portland International Airport (PDX) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Most Disrupted Routes During Christmas Week:

1. New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Toronto Lester B Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
2. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Toronto Lester B Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
3. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Toronto Bishop Billy City Airport (YTZ)
4. Boston Edward L Logan International Airport (BOS) to Orlando International Airport (MCO)
5. Boston Edward L Logan International Airport (BOS) to Toronto Lester B Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
6. Portland International Airport (PDX) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
7. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
8. Kahului Airport (OGG) to Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
9. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Toronto Lester B Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
10. New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

Total Money Owed for Flight Disruptions During Christmas Week Under European Law EC 261: $6.3 million*

* EC 261 is a European law protects all passengers, including U.S. travelers, on flights on European airlines flying to the EU, and any flight departing from an EU airport. According to this law, airlines must provide passengers affected by lengthy delays of more than three hours, flight cancellations, or boarding denials due to overbookings with compensation of up to $700, in addition to meals and drinks for all delays of more than

Mar del Cabo Opens In Los Cabos, Mexico

Velas Resorts Expands Mexican Hotel Collection With First European Plan Boutique Hotel Property Los Cabos, Mexico  –Mar del Cabo debuts on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula with a new look after a $4 Million renovation of the former Marbella Suites. Located midway between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, the European Plan boutique hotel is now the sixth property of Velas Resorts and its only EP offering. Mar del Cabo is a stylish adaptation of the classic boutique hotel, designed to captivate and comfort with its space of unassuming and pleasing minimalism.  Created as a white canvas with touches of color and chic design, it is the deep blue of the Sea of Cortez and the golden beaches that add tone, depth and natural accents.  Mar del Cabo invites travelers to enjoy a stylish beachy vibe while still maintaining the high-end service and features expected with a property associated with Velas Resorts. Mar del Cabo has 46 one and two bedroom suites and two penthouses. Each unit has a king or two queen size beds, kitchenette with coffee maker and microwave oven, terrace with sitting area, separate living area with sofa, bathroom width step-in rain shower, and daily turndown service. A common denominator with Velas Resorts, the culinary delights do not disappoint, as organic cuisine inspired by local Baja dishes and coastal Mediterranean favorites will be served at the Encanto Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  A bar, oceanfront spa, sleek and sensual ocean-front pool, as well as outdoor spaces to hold private events complete Mar del Cabo. Room rates start at $191 USD per night. For more information and to book, call 1.844.314.2352, email reservations@mardelcabo.com or visit https://mardelcabo.com/. About Velas Resorts: Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Los Cabos have earned 52 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for their services and facilities include Virtuoso’s “Best Spa,” Forbes’ “Coolest All-Inclusives,” Forbes’ Four Star Award, and TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame, among others. Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, properties include the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas in Los Cabos, with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort; AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which enjoys a privileged natural setting with flowering, landscaped gardens beside a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains; and AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, offering a sophisticated all-inclusive resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. In Puerto Vallarta, Casa Velas is a boutique adults-only hotel and ocean club located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and Velas Vallarta, a family-friendly all suites resort and spa located on Banderas Bay. Mar del Cabo, a boutique hotel on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, opens on December 5th as its only European Plan offering. Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, operates Velas Resorts with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869, email reservations@velasresorts.com  or visit https://www.velasresorts.com.

Travelore News: Los Angeles Airport LAX Unveils Revamped Terminal 1

Los Angeles World Airports and Southwest Airlines on Nov. 30 officially unveiled the revamped Terminal 1, which has undergone $516.7 million in renovations. The updated terminal features a more efficient, centralized screening area, more seating, and new dining and shopping options.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, also attended the ceremony which saw the unveiling of the $516.7m redevelopment by Southwest which includes new dining and retail options. The new facility also features ‘a larger and more efficient’ centralized screening checkpoint and larger seating areas in gates.

The Terminal 1 renovation, which began in 2014 is part of an overall LAX modernization program. The first phase was completed in 2016, with the final 10 of 20 retail and dining options revealed earlier this year.

Constructed in the early 1980s in advance of the 1984 Olympic Games, the project was completed with minimal impact to customer service and flight operations, keeping around 10m customers moving through the facility each year of the development.

Deborah Flint, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports said the T1 modernization had been a phenomenal effort by all partners at LAWA, Southwest and URW Airports and the results raised the bar for what guests could expect when they came to LAX.

The major objective of the T1 project was to eliminate queues that crowded the approaches to ticketing, security and at shops and restaurants in ‘previously cramped’ gate areas.

Now, the 13-gate terminal features new self‐service check‐in stations, the relocated security checkpoint and additional retail and dining offerings post‐security.

Gary Kelly, CEO, Southwest said: “Southwest carries more California travellers to, from and within the Golden State every day than any other airline and is scheduled to offer a record 800 departures a day from California next summer.

“This redeveloped Terminal 1 facility at LAX will host many of those customers and is the perfect venue for our award‐winning people to showcase their world‐famous hospitality.”

With 22 dining and retail destinations spread across 23,543sq ft, the new offerings introduce 13 new brands to LAX and eight which are making their airport debut.

Westfield Corporation entered into an agreement at Terminal’s 1, 3 and 6 to develop, lease and manage retail, F&B and other services in 2012 for a period of 17 years. Construction by the same project team is underway on Terminal 1.5, a connecting structure between Terminals 1 and 2. This will further expand baggage claim areas and offer Southwest Customers connectivity to the new LAX automated people mover.

Source: www.airlineguideonline.com 

Cuba To Begin Full Internet Access For Mobile Phones

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba announced Tuesday night that its citizens will be offered full internet access for mobile phones beginning this week, becoming one of the last nations to offer such service.

Mayra Arevich, president of the Cuban state telecom monopoly ETECSA, went on national television to say Cubans can begin contracting 3G service for the first time Thursday.

Until now, Cubans have had access only to state-run email accounts on their phones.

FILE - In this July 1, 2015 file photo, youths use a password protected wifi network coming from a five star hotel to surf the Internet on their smart phones in downtown Havana, Cuba. Cuba's government announced on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 that its citizens will be offered full internet access on mobile phones starting Thursday, Dec. 6, becoming one of the last nations to do so. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan, File)

The Cuban government has been building a 3G network in cities across the island and some tourists, Cuban government officials and foreign businesspeople have had access to it for several years.

The communist-governed island has one of the world’s lowest rates of internet use but that has been expanding rapidly since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro declared detente in 2014. Expansion has not slowed with President Donald Trump’s partial rollback of relations.

Cuba authorized home internet in 2017 and hundreds of public Wi-Fi connection points have opened in parks and plazas around the country.

The new service will cost about 10 cents per megabyte, with packages ranging from 600 megabytes for about $7 to four gigabytes for about $30.

Those prices are roughly in line with global standards but still out of reach for many Cubans who subsist on state salaries of about $30 a month.

Cuba ran a fiber-optic connection to Venezuela in 2012, allowing the island to shift from slow and costly satellite links. It then began the slow process of allowing citizens to get online.

The government opened state-run internet cafes in 2013, joined by Wi-Fi sites two years later. The number of sites has grown to more than 800.

The Cuban internet is mostly uncensored but the government blocks a small number of sites like the U.S.-funded Radio and Television Marti networks and others that advocate for systematic change on the island.

ETECSA vice president Tania Velázquez said the new service would come online in stages from Thursday through Saturday to avoid the congestion that struck the mobile network during a series of heavily criticized tests this year.

___

Andrea Rodriguez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARodriguezAP

Travelore Tips For Your First Trip To Toronto

If you are planning a trip to Toronto, you will be spoilt for choice in this exciting, and vibrant city where there is so much to do, and so much to see. Although not the capital, Toronto is Canada’s largest city – make the most of your time there with our top 10 tips by blogger Ceri Tinley:

CN Tower

This 1,815 ft structure, which until 2007 was the tallest building in the world, is undoubtedly the defining feature of Toronto’s skyline. The glass fronted elevators will whiz you up to the Look Out level at a speed of 20 ft per second, where you will enjoy breath taking views of the city. Walking across the Glass Floor, suspended 1,122 ft above the ground might take a little bit of persuasion if you are afraid of heights, but just keep telling yourself that it has been built to withstand the weight of 14 hippos, and you will be fine. If you are feeling exceptionally brave, you might like to try the Edge Walk which involves circumnavigating the tower whilst attached to a safety harness.

High Park

This enormous public park offers a haven of peace and tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are playgrounds, sports facilities, and picnic areas, hiking trails and even a zoo where you can see buffalo, bison, lama and deer. Don’t miss the “maple leaf circle” at the bottom of Hillside Gardens.

Toronto Islands

A fifteen minute ferry ride from down-town Toronto will transport you to this peaceful retreat. Toronto Islands provide a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, with a beautiful view of Lake Ontario on one side, and a stunning view of the city skyline on the other. With bike rides and boat rides, beautiful gardens and sandy beaches, this is the perfect place to be on a hot summer’s day. The Rectory Café is well worth a visit.

Kensington Market

Declared a National Historic Site in 2006, this colourful and quirky multi-ethnic hub is a delight to behold. With its bustling street scene, shops selling vintage clothes and an array of food from all around the world, the atmosphere is slightly edgy but friendly and welcoming at the same time.

Sassafraz

Situated in rather quirky looking yellow Victorian house right in the heart of Yorkville, Sassafraz offers a pleasing selection of French inspired Canadian dishes served with with an air of calm and sophistication.

Niagara Falls

This natural wonder of the world is only 81 miles away from Toronto, which makes it easily accessible within a day. The town itself is surprisingly tacky, but the breathtaking beauty of the falls more than compensates. The mesmerising Maid of the Mist boat ride is an absolute must.

Royal Ontario Museum

One of the largest in North America, the Royal Ontario is a museum of world culture and natural history. Highlights include the dinosaurs, Spirit House and Stair of Wonders. It’s worth visiting just to see the great prisms of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal bursting out of the walls of the original 100 year old building.

Canada’s Wonderland

With its 15 roller coasters, 65 rides and 200 attractions, Canada’s premier amusement park is guaranteed to keep the family happy for the whole day.

Shopping

The Eaton Centre claims to be Canada’s premier shopping destination, and as shopping centre experiences go, it is indeed a fairly pleasant one. With a multitude of international retailers and restaurants housed in a spectacular glass galleria, you should be able to find everything your heart desires all under one roof.

Hockey game

Most Canadians are passionate about Hockey and if you get the chance to go to a game, you should take it. It’s fast, furious and exciting. If you want to ingratiate yourself with the fans, make sure you refer to the sport simply as “hockey”, rather than, “ice hockey” as we might say in the UK.

By Alexandra Hobbs 

Travelore Tips: Recommended Things To Do In Hong Kong

In a city that is only 1,000 square kilometres, how much can there realistically be to do? Most visitors to Hong Kong scour the city from the Peak, shop till their hearts drop and eat well, but after your stomachs are full and your wallets are empty, what’s left?, blogs Chinmoy Lad. Here are three alternative itineraries you can enjoy on your next trip to Hong Kong:

Take a harbour cruise

The coastline and surrounding waters of Hong Kong is one of the busiest harbours in the world, and therefore one of the city’s greatest assets. It is no surprise that boat trips are popular, particularly in summer with a group of friends or to celebrate special occasions.

Aqua Luna offers high-end catered harbour cruises to celebrate such special occasions. The pictured Aqua Luna, with its bright red sails, is distinguishable from a distance. Modelled after an old Chinese junk boat, the handcrafted boat was was built specifically for the Aqua Restaurant Group, employing only traditional shipbuilding methods.

For a more cost-efficient option, there’s always the Star Ferry, an iconic institution that still traverses from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. While the ride is much shorter now than it used to be thanks to heavy reclamation and the resulting inevitable narrowing of the harbour, it is still one of the city’s most incredible attractions, used as much as a mode of transport as a tourist hotspot.

For more incredible sights and sounds that make up Hong Kong, from the commonly visited sites to the more obscure, check out the official Hong Kong Tourism Board Facebook fan page, Discover Hong Kong.

Go hiking

Despite its relatively small physical size, Hong Kong’s unique topography provides ample opportunities for nature lovers to explore the wilderness. Approximately only 30% of the land area is actually developed, and a large part of the remainder is specifically reserved as protected country parks and geo parks. The range of topography varies from open grasslands and dense woodlands that encase reservoirs, mountain peak ranges (including the “nine dragons” of Kowloon – a transliteral definition of Kowloon) that rise nearly 1,000 metres from sea level, to sparse, untouched white-sandy beaches that culminate in crystal clear waters that make you feel as if you’ve entered paradise.

As such, hiking (and camping, although not quite as rustic as you imagine it) is a popular activity among enthusiasts, hosting some of the most scenic vistas you would never expect from a trip to one of the world’s most dense cities. The trails range from simple walks upon paved roads, such as the family-friendly walk up Mount Butler/Mount Parker or up to The Peak, to scenic but easy walks along dirt roads such as Dragon’s Back that ends in Shek O, to difficult yet worthy and lengthy expeditions such as sections along the MacLehose Trail in northeastern Sai Kung.

Explore the colonial past

The British Empire governed Hong Kong for over 150 years, so it’s no surprise they left a lasting legacy in this small colony, the crown in the jewel of the Empire at its peak. Arguably, the quintessential British experience is to enjoy afternoon tea at The Peninsula. Afternoon tea is now as much a Hong Kong institution as it is British, with every eatery from small restaurants and cake cafes to cha-chaan-tengs (local restaurants) respectively serving their own twist of the classic.

Alternatively, explore the past in further detail with visits to museums, or key destinations where Victorian-era buildings and neoclassical-inspired structures have stood still, albeit currently used in an entirely more commercial form than previously intended, including the pictured Fringe Club, built in 1892. While many of the city’s glorious buildings were decimated to make room for ‘urban development’ in the past, the recent trend is towards conservation, and more heritage buildings are now appropriately repurposed and their interiors redesigned, while maintaining most of their previous facade.

Source: www.airguideonline.com