Japan Funds Save Lithuania Museum On Diplomat Who Saved Jews

This handout photo provided by Chiune Sugihara Memorial Museum, shows Chiune Sugihara memorial museum in Kaunas, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 12, 2020. A museum in Lithuania dedicated to a Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews in the early hours of World War II, that saw the number of visitors drop due to corona virus outbreak, has been saved by people in Japan, officials said Friday, July 31, 2020. (Chiune Sugihara Memorial Museum via AP)

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — A museum in Lithuania dedicated to a Japanese diplomat who helped thousands of Jews flee Europe in the early years of World War II has been extended an economic lifeline by people in Japan, officials said Friday.

The memorial museum in Lithuania’s former capital recounts the story of Chiune Sugihara, who was a vice-consul diplomat based at the Japanese Consulate in Kaunas during 1939-1940. Its small collection is housed in the villa that once served as the consulate.

The brake the coronavirus pandemic slammed on international travel has put the small museum, like other cultural institutions and tourist destinations around the world, under intense economic pressure.

“Tickets sales are our main income resource. Japanese used to make up 85% of the visitors. Now, the visitors from Japan are gone, so is our income” museum director Ramunas Janulaitis said.

However, people from Gifu Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshu, where Sugihara was born, raised some 30,000 euros (about $35,600) to help the museum survive the pandemic.

“We expect to raise another 40,000 (euros) in the autumn” Japanese Ambassador Shiro Yamasaki said.

Both the Soviet Union and Germany occupied Lithuania during the war. The Soviets annexed the Baltic nation, which become independent in 1990.

During his time at the consulate in Kaunas, Sugihara issued transit visas to Japan to nearly 6,000 Jewish refugees, mainly from neighboring Poland. The 10-day visas he supplied without the approval of Japan’s Foreign Ministry enabled the refugees to escape and survive the Holocaust.

Sugihara was reassigned elsewhere in Europe, and when he returned to Japan in 1947, he was fired. He died in 1986.

Created in 1999, the museum honoring his courageous actions exhibits the life and work of Sugihara, The villa was decorated to recreate what it looked like during his time serving there. The names of Jews to whom he is known to have granted visas also are displayed.

The government in Lithuania, the southernmost Baltic country that once was the home to a large Jewish community, has declared 2020 as “the year of Chiune Sugihara.”

Travelore News: Virgin Atlantic Airline Files For US Bankruptcy Protection

NEW YORK (AP) — Virgin Atlantic, the airline founded by British businessman Richard Branson, filed Tuesday for protection in U.S. bankruptcy court as it tries to survive the virus pandemic that is hammering the airline industry.

The airline made the Chapter 15 filing in U.S. federal bankruptcy court in New York after a proceeding in the United Kingdom.

A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic said the bankruptcy filing is part of a court process in the United Kingdom to carry out a restructuring plan that the airline announced last month. The process is supported by a majority of the airline’s creditors, and the company hopes to emerge from the process in September, she said.

A Virgin Atlantic lawyer said in a court filing that the company needs an order from a U.S. court to make terms of the restructuring apply in the U.S.

The airline is primarily a long-haul operator, including flights between the U.K. and the U.S. It stopped flying in April due to the pandemic and only resumed flights in July. It closed a base at London’s Gatwick Airport and cut about 3,500 jobs.

Branson appealed to the British government for financial help earlier this year — even saying that he would pledge his Caribbean island resort as collateral for a loan — but was rebuffed.

Last month, Virgin Atlantic announced that it had put together a deal to raise 1.2 billion pounds (nearly $1.6 billion at current exchange rates) from private sources, including 200 million pounds from Branson’s Virgin Group.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, which owns 49% of the airline, agreed to defer payments it was owed, and hedge fund Davidson Kempner agreed to lend Virgin Atlantic 170 million pounds. Virgin Atlantic also delayed deliveries of Airbus jets.

Virgin Atlantic’s court moves follow bankruptcy filings in the U.S. by Latin America’s two biggest airlines, Latam and Avianca, and by Mexico’s Aeromexico since the start of the pandemic. Virgin’s sister airline Virgin Australia filed for protection from creditors in its home country in April.

Airlines have been slammed by the coronavirus outbreak that has led to travel restrictions and left many people afraid to fly. The International Air Transport Association, a trade group for global airlines, estimates the industry will lose $84 billion this year and revenue will drop by half from 2019 levels.

Branson founded and still holds a 10% stake in Virgin Australia, which has announced plans to shed a third of its workforce as it scales back operations as part of its restructuring.

The airline, Australia’s second-largest carrier, sought bankruptcy protection and its administrator Deloitte’s has entered into a binding agreement to sell the airline to Boston-based investment firm Bain Capital. The deal will go within weeks for final approval to a meeting of Virgin creditors who are owed 7 billion Australian dollars ($5 billion).

Pipe By Pipe, Notre Dame Cathedral Organ Gets 4-Year Cleanup

In this Thursday, May 2, 2013 file photo, Philippe Lefebvre, 64, plays the organ at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Pipe by precious pipe, the organ that once thundered through fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral is being taken apart. The mammoth task of dismantling, cleaning and re-assembling France's largest musical instrument started Monday Aug.3, 2020 and is expected to last nearly four years. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, file)

PARIS (AP) — Pipe by precious pipe, the organ that once thundered through Notre Dame Cathedral is being taken apart after last year’s devastating fire.

The mammoth task of dismantling, cleaning and reassembling France’s largest musical instrument started Monday and is expected to last nearly four years.

Once restored, it will take six months just to tune the organ, according to the state agency overseeing Notre Dame’s restoration. Its music isn’t expected to resound again through the medieval Paris monument until 2024, to the dismay of the cathedral’s dedicated organists.

“It’s a very powerful organ, but with also a lot of poetry,” said Johann Vexo, who was playing the organ during an evening Mass when the fire alarm sounded on April 15, 2019. “It’s just probably the most beautiful organ in the world.”

Amazingly, the 8,000-pipe organ survived the fire, which consumed the cathedral’s roof and toppled its spire. But the blaze coated the instrument in toxic lead dust that must now be painstakingly removed.

And while the organ didn’t burn, it did suffer damage from a record heatwave last summer and has been affected by other temperature variations it’s been exposed to since the 12th-century cathedral lost its roof, the agency said. Notre Dame remains closed to the public.

Experts started removing the organ’s keyboards Monday and will then take out its pipes in a dismantling process that will last through the end of this year, according to the reconstruction agency. The pieces will be placed in special containers inside the huge cathedral, where the cleaning and restoration will take place.

The general who leads the agency said the organ, which dates from 1733, will next play again on April 16, 2024, marking five years since the fire.

Organist Vexo is already dreaming of that day.

“Like all my colleagues, we are very sad, and we know that we have to be very patient over the next few years,” he told The Associated Press on Monday outside the cathedral. He expressed hope that they will “find the building and instruments exactly as they were before, or almost exactly. We are waiting for this day ... when the building will reopen.”

French President Emmanuel Macron hopes the cathedral can reopen in time for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. But it’s taken more than a year to clear out dangerous lead residue and scaffolding that had been in place before the fire for a previous renovation effort, and reconstruction of the landmark has yet to begin.

By NADINE ACHOUI-LESAGE and ANGELA CHARLTON

Covid-19 And Hurricanes Puts Spotlight On Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance

InsureMyTrip recommends that summer travelers consider "cancel for any reason" travel insurance coverage. This specific coverage guards against covid-19 related travel concerns as well as storm threats this hurricane season.

"As travel restrictions wane, travelers want maximum flexibility when it comes to trip cancellations," says InsureMyTrip Director of Marketing & eCommerce Cheryl Golden. "We highly recommend that all travelers — including those booking domestic trips —  consider the cancel for any reason upgrade."

How Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Works

Example: A traveler is having second thoughts about going on vacation, after a new hot spot for covid-19 emerges. Her family vacation costs $4,000.

Q: Can she back out of the trip and still get her money back? The traveler has travel insurance that includes a cancel for any reason benefit.

A: Yes, if the traveler met all requirements and submitted the proper paperwork, she can expect to be reimbursed 50-75 percent of the non-refundable trip cost (the exact amount depends on the plan).

Example: A traveler wants to cancel his tropical vacation, after a hurricane caused some mild damage to the area. He no longer wants to go.

Q: Can he back out of the trip and still get his money back? He paid over $2,500 for a flight, hotel stay, and excursion. This traveler has standard trip cancellation coverage. No cancel for any reason coverage.

A:  No. Standard trip cancellation wouldn't apply. His resort was still open and flights were running as scheduled. The only opportunity to cancel a trip for reasons other than those listed as "covered reasons" on a policy is cancel for any reason coverage.

Here's some other important considerations when considering cancel for any reason coverage:

• It's usually optional. Think of it as an upgrade to a standard comprehensive travel insurance plan.
• Entire trip must be insured. That means the traveler must add up all prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses and provide an accurate trip cost.
• Yes, you'll pay more. Generally, plans that include a cancel for any reason benefit do tend to cost more. It may run an additional 40-60 percent more than a standard plan.
• You still must file a claim. Any time reimbursement is requested from a travel insurance company, paperwork must be filed.
• Procrastinators miss out. That's because travelers must purchase this coverage within 14-21 days of making an initial trip payment or deposit.
• No last minute cancellations. The trip must be canceled no less than two days prior to departure.
• Don't expect all your money back. Reimbursement is usually 50-75 percent of the entire prepaid, non-refundable trip cost. The exact reimbursement percentage depends on the plan purchased.
• Not available in all states.

Bottom line: Travel insurance plans with the optional "cancel for any reason" coverage offers the most protection for travelers who may want to cancel a trip due to covid-19.

While some standard trip cancellation policies may cover a physician-ordered quarantine or contracting the virus (unless pandemics are specifically excluded), it will not cover covid-19 related cancellations due to fear of travel or any government-ordered border shutdowns.

Travelers can visit the Travel Insurance & Coronavirus resource hub for more information on cancel for any reason coverage.

France Starts Testing Travelers From 16 Nations For Virus

PARIS (AP) — Travelers entering France from 16 countries where the coronavirus is circulating widely now must undergo virus tests upon arrival at French airports and ports.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced last month that the tests would be required starting Aug. 1 for passengers France is allowing in from a list of approved countries unless they present proof of a negative test done within 72 hours of their departure.

Those who test positive in France as of Saturday must quarantine for 14 days.

France is not permitting general travel to and from the 16 countries, which include the United States and Brazil. The testing requirement therefore only applies to people entering under limited circumstances: French citizens who live in these countries or citizens of these countries with an established residence in France.

Daniel Court was tested at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport after coming in from the French Riviera city of Nice. He acknowledged not loving the experience.

“It’s very fast, but I have to say that it’s not very pleasant,″ he said. “But we have to do it.″

Another passenger who got tested after landing at Paris’ main airport, Nadia Vusik of Belarus, said she thought the new policy made sense.

“It is definitely necessary, and I am happy that in France it is possible to do right here. It’s very convenient,” she said.

French health authorities say the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has jumped on the French mainland in recent weeks. The government has already made mask-wearing mandatory in all indoor public spaces.

France has had over 225,000 confirmed infections and over 30,200 virus-related deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, but experts say all numbers in the pandemic are too low for various reasons, including limited testing and missed cases.

The French government has so far ruled out imposing another nationwide lockdown after the one that brought the country to a standstill for nearly two months between March and May.

___

Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Grand Velas Los Cabos Named #1 Luxury Hotel In Mexico, #8 In The World

Among Other Velas Resorts’ Distinctions for Luxury, Service and Romance

In TripAdvisor’s 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico  – Setting\ the standard for resorts that surpass travelers’ expectation, Velas Resorts were once again recognized in TripAdvisor’s 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Grand Velas Los Cabos was honored as the #1 luxury resort in Mexico and the #8 worldwide. All three sister Grand Velas properties are noted in among the Top 25 Hotels — Mexico with the Riviera Nayarit and Riviera Maya resorts noted as #7 and #12, respectively. Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, the resort collection also received distinctions this year among the top hotels for luxury, service, all-inclusive offerings and romance.

Highlighted below is the full list of award categories and acclamations:

World's Top Hotels:

• Grand Velas Los Cabos – #8

Top Luxury Hotels in the World:

• Grand Velas Los Cabos – #9

Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the World:

• Grand Velas Los Cabos – #3
• Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – #8
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya – #13

Top Hotels in Mexico:

• Grand Velas Los Cabos – #1
• Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – #7
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya – #12

Top Luxury Hotels in Mexico:

• Grand Velas Los Cabos – #1
• Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – #6
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya – #10

Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico:

• Grand Velas Los Cabos – #1
• Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – #4
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya – #6

Top Hotels with Exceptional Service in Mexico:

• Grand Velas Los Cabos – #1
• Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – #8
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya – #20

Additionally, the resort collection’s adults-only boutique hotel Casa Velas ranked #12 on the 25 Most Popular Romantic Hotels in Mexico list.

As a family-owned company, Velas Resorts has quickly adapted to ever-changing guest needs and tastes by consistently rolling out new amenities, services, and facilities. Innovative offerings include everything from baby concierges and designer handbags on loan, to teens’ lounges, packages for divorcees and single parents, and unique spa treatments inspired by Mayan culture.

All company resorts have all received the global safety stamp of approval from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) due to state-of-the-art safety and cleanliness protocols detailed in a 15-page Stay Safe with Velas program.

For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869, email reservations@velasresorts.com or visit https://www.velasresorts.com.

About Velas Resorts:

Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos have earned 56 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for services and facilities include Virtuoso’s Best Family Program, Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award for spa, and TripAdvisor’s Top Hotels in the World, among others. Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, properties include Grand Velas in Los Cabos, with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort; Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which enjoys a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains; and Grand Velas Riviera Maya, offering a sophisticated resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. In Puerto Vallarta, Casa Velas is a boutique adults-only hotel and beach 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, opened in December 2018 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. Explore tips, recipes, lifestyle and travel trends, and the latest news about Velas Resorts on the digital mag: : www.velasmagazine.com. 

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