Enterprise Rent-A-Car Launches In Denmark

Continuing its expansion into Europe, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has launched in Denmark through a new joint venture between two well-established Danish businesses.

Danske Bank-owned Nordania Leasing and Semler Group, one of Denmark's largest vehicle retailing and servicing operations, have joined forces to create the new car rental business, which will operate a network of Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches across Denmark.

The company opened a branch at Copenhagen airport on 17 February, has another location already planned to serve customers at Jutland's Billund airport and intends to open more sites throughout the country.
The proposed network of Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches in Denmark will be sited at key airport and transport hubs in order to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers. Branches will also be opened at existing Semler Group dealerships across the country to service customers from local communities.

The joint venture between Nordania Leasing and Semler Group sees the co-operation of two successful Danish organisations, which are already recognised for their superior customer care and understanding of the transport needs of businesses and consumers. All of Enterprise's international partners have been selected for their dedication to customer service.

Head of sales and member of executive board at Nordania Leasing, Henrik Rohmann-Sonderby, said: "Through this partnership we believe we have the opportunity to provide a genuinely new option to everyone looking to rent a vehicle inDenmark. Under the global Enterprise banner, we will combine Danish automotive expertise with a world-renowned culture of customer service."

"We are seeing demand for car hire grow throughout the country, as people want more flexibility and the ability to access vehicles in a range of different ways. Through our partnership with Enterprise we believe that we have the right support to become a major player in the sector."

Peter A. Smith, vice president of global franchising at Enterprise, said: "Establishing the brand inDenmark is significant as it was one of the last countries inEurope where Enterprise has not been available to date. Both Semler and Nordania have a strong vision as well as the infrastructure to deliver against a clear business plan for growth."

"Enterprise is built on customer satisfaction and I am convinced that we have chosen the right partners to carry on this legacy. We're looking forward to working with this very motivated and successful team to continue to grow the Enterprise business across the world, providing customers with more choice and – of course – outstanding service."

Nordania Leasing provides car finance for private individuals and businesses, as well as leasing vans, trucks, machinery, equipment and property for corporations. It employs 200 dedicated employees and has a long track record for sound business management and customer support.

Semler Group is the largest automotive group in Denmark with almost 100 years' experience in the import and sale of cars. The company employs more than 1,600 people and has a network of more than 50 dealerships acrossDenmark. Many of these will also become Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch locations offering full car and van hire services – alongside the traditional car dealerships.

A planned program of international expansion during the last two years has resulted in the growth of the Enterprise network into almost every European country.

With the inclusion of Denmark, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand is currently available in 32 countries inEurope and the Middle East. These are Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia,Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.

The company will become operational in additional countries throughout EMEA in the coming months.

Worldwide Enterprise has operations in more than 70 countries.

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Switzerland Boasts Having The Most Expensive Ski Resort In Europe

Verbier Ski Resort

The Verbier resort, located in southwestern Switzerland, is the most expensive ski resort in Europe, according to a new survey conducted by French travel website allovoyages.fr.

The survey compared all main European resorts based on their cost of lodging. Specifically, the survey established for each resort the amount guests will have to spend to stay in the least expensive double room, on average, during the months of February and March 2015.

With an average rate of 283 euros per night, the Verbier resort leads the rankings. Slightly less expensive is St. Anton am Arlberg, located in the Austrian state of Tyrol. An average overnight price tag of 279 euros puts this resort solidly in the survey’s second position. France's Méribel rounds out the Top 3 with an average nightly rate of 278 euros for the least expensive double room.

The Top 10 contains four more resorts in France. As is Méribel, all of these pricey French ski resorts are located in the Savoie region. The final three spots in the Top 10 go to three additional Austrian resorts. The famous St. Moritz resort ranks 11th most expensive in Europe with an average overnight price of 223 euros.

The following table shows the 10 most expensive ski resorts in Europe. The rates indicated reflect the average rate for the least expensive double room during the months of February and March 2015.

1. Verbier (Switzerland) 283 euros
2. St. Anton (Austria) 279 euros
3. Méribel (France) 278 euros
4. Val Thorens (France) 276 euros
5. Tignes (France) 263 euros
6. Ischgl (Austria) 258 euros
7. Val d'Isère (France) 243 euros
8. Solden (Austria) 242 euros
9. Courchevel (France) 241 euros
10. Lech (Austria) 224 euros

Find the full results of the survey here on the French website.

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Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: Travelore Tips: Simple Self-Defense Skills Women (...

Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: Travelore Tips: Simple Self-Defense Skills Women (...: Personal safety experts share tips that can help protect stressed out travelers Traveling can frazzle your brain. Between trying to r...

Travelore Tips: Pay $160 For A Month Of Flights On AirAsia

AirAsia launches its new all-you-can-jet option, the AirAsia ASEAN Pass, this month—but is it worth your while? Read on to find out.

How does a month of flying around Southeast Asia for under $200 sound?

That's the question we asked last year, when it was first announced that AirAsia would introduce some sort of pass for unlimited flights. Well, that pass—the AirAsia ASEAN Pass, named for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—is official and available for purchase, beginning today.

The ASEAN Pass's original promise of travel to ten countries has been kept, and passengers may elect to fly to airports in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Burma, Laos, and Brunei. The greatest variety of destinations is of course offered from AirAsia's base in Kuala Lumpur, although Bangkok also has a bunch. Popular leisure destinations in the passes include Bali, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Langkawi, and Puerto Princesa. With just those it'd be very tempting to turn an ASEAN Pass into a "best exotic beaches of Southeast Asia" pass, but culture and business travelers will find plenty destinations of interest as well.

There are, in fact, two versions of the ASEAN Pass:

ASEAN Pass 10 credits

· Costs $160 USD

· 10 credits for use on flights

· 30 days validity from the start of travel

ASEAN Pass+ 20 credits

· Costs $290 USD

· 20 credits for use on flights

· 60 days validity from the start of travel

Built in (and explained in the official FAQ) are many points of flexibility. For instance, the pass can be handed over to another traveler and the bearer's name can be changed so long as the travel hasn't yet begun. Families can also get in on the fun as the Pass is valid for travelers aged 12 and up. The biggest restriction is that flights need to be booked two weeks ahead and each route may only be used once, so last-minute weekend hops can't happen. The best way for non-residents of Southeast Asia to make use of a pass is to plan for a full three to four weeks of travel, flying in to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur on a major international airline and beginning the AirAsia Pass from there. Potential ideas for a dot-to-dot itinerary around the region could be visiting friends, hitting some legendary dive sites or surf breaks, scouting for a vacation home, seeking out regional food specialties, or simply adding more stamps to the passport.

The pass was due to debut on January 15, but the tragedy of AirAsia Indonesia flight 8501 on December 28, 2014 placed AirAsia in the world spotlight, and not for the positive reason they had planned. We personally expected AirAsia to drop the idea of the ASEAN Pass, but now that the airline can absolutely use the extra business, the plan proceeds with only a month-and-a-half delay. Overall, the program bears less a resemblance to the original, unlimited "All-You-Can-Jet" Pass from JetBlue and more to the airline's AYCJ successors, called the "GoPacks," though there's no doubt the ASEAN Pass is inspired by both.

View the FAQ and step-by-step use of the ASEAN pass on AirAsia's dedicated website. As of right now, there is no end date to the ASEAN pass promotion for either sale or travel, thought this will likely change once the airline sees action on it.

This piece originally appeared on Jaunted.com.

Travelore News: Disney Hikes Ticket Prices At US theme Parks

Visiting Mickey and Minnie just got more expensive.

The Walt Disney Co. raised ticket prices to attend Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the rest of its U.S. theme parks, effective Sunday.

A one-day ticket for either Disneyland or California Adventure in Anaheim, California, is now $99 for anyone 10 or older, the company said. That's up from $96.

Single-day tickets for the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, are now $105, up from $99.

Disney has continued to see strong attendance growth at its theme parks and resorts.

For the quarter ended Dec. 27, revenue for the segment rose 9 percent to $3.9 billion, as attendance at the company's California and Florida parks climbed 7 percent, with Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort each setting all-time quarterly attendance records.

A measles outbreak linked to Disney's Southern California theme parks hasn't hurt attendance.

Earlier this month, CEO Bob Iger said in an interview with CNBC that the company was seeing no discernible impact on attendance or bookings from the outbreak, which was revealed last month.

More than 70 people in California, including six Disneyland employees, and about two dozen others in six states, Mexico and Canada have been sickened in the outbreak.

Among other price changes that took effect Sunday: A one-day ticket to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom now is $97, up from $94.

Disney also bumped up ticket prices for children ages 3 to 9.

Kids in that age bracket will be charged $93 for a single-day ticket at Disneyland. That's up from $90. For the Magic Kingdom, that ticket is now $99, up from $93. For the other theme parks it's now $91, up from $88.

Disney typically raises ticket prices at its U.S. theme parks annually, said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

"We continually add new experiences, and many of our guests select multiday tickets or annual passes, which provide a great value and additional savings," she said.

Contributed by ALEX VEIGA, AP

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World's Largest Public Art Festival Kicks Off This Week In Montréal

On the heels of a triumphant opening in 2014, with 116,000 visitors on its first night alone, Art Souterrain is set to launch its seventh edition during Montréal's Nuit Blanche on February 28th, 2015. A 6km long art exhibition tour, in the world's largest underground city, is yours to discover for free until March 15th. This year's theme: Security in our society: What remains of our personal freedoms?

This prevalent and pertinant issue will be tackled by 65 local, national and international artists who will respond, through their work, to contemporary concerns about the balance between the growing need for security versus individual freedoms.

Twelve locations in downtown Montréal will host the artworks across four different routes. Art Souterrain also recognizes Israel, via the curator Carmit Blumenshon, who in collaboration with the General consulate of Israel, has chosen a selection of artists to present.
A number of noteworthy American artists have been chosen for our 7th edition. Amongst them are New Yorkers Graham Caldwell with his sculpture, Compound Eyes, Eric Foreman with his performance Auto Surveillance, as well as Chris Kaczmarek, Clement Valla, and Openendedgroup. Chicago is also well-represented this year with Pat Badani, Mahwish Chrishty, Kate McQuillen and Leo Salvaggio.

During the festival, we invite you to participate in over 30 activities, most notably, visits to the private collections of prestigious firms such as McCarthy-Tetrault, Fasken-Martineau and Ivanhoe-Cambridge. Numerous guided visits will also introduce the public to this remarkable exhibition in Montreal's underground city.

Furthermore, both French and English audio guides will be downloadable for free on iTunes.

Art Souterrain, a non-profit organization founded in 2009, showcases each year international contemporary art institutions, artists, and the architectural and cultural heritage of downtown Montreal's underground city. As a unique contemporary art festival in North America, Art Souterrain aims to make art accessible to a wider audience by taking it out of its traditional exhibition spaces.

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Paul Gauguin Cruises Announces 2016 Voyages

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, m/s Paul Gauguin, and the 88-guest m/v Tere Moana, announces 2016 voyages that feature popular favorites along with a new 7-night Tahiti, the Society Islands & Tuamotus itinerary and an 11-night Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage on The Gauguin, as well as a new 7-night Roundtrip Athens, Greece, sailing and 7-night Roundtrip Philipsburg, St. Maarten, voyage on The Moana.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering savings of 50% off standard cruise fares on all 2016 voyages of both ships, plus included airfare from Los Angeles on m/s Paul Gauguin itineraries.

The Gauguin

New for 2016 on The Gauguin is a 7-night Tahiti, the Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage that adds the Tuamotus archipelago to the line's most popular Polynesian itinerary with visits to Papeete, Tahiti; Huahine, Society Islands; Fakarava, Tuamotus; Rangiroa, Tuamotus; Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands; Bora Bora, Society Islands; Moorea, Society Islands; and Papeete, Tahiti. The sailing departs February 6, 2016, with cruise fares from $5,345 per person, including airfare from Los Angeles.

The Gauguin is also offering a new 11-night Society Islands & Tuamotus sailing featuring a second full day on the line's private island paradise of Motu Mahana. Ports include: Papeete, Tahiti; Huahine, Society Islands; Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands; Bora Bora, Society Islands (overnight); Rangiroa, Tuamotus; Fakarava, Tuamotus; Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands; Moorea, Society Islands (overnight); and Papeete, Tahiti (overnight). The December 3, 2016, voyage offers cruise fares from $5,845 per person, including airfare from Los Angeles.

The Gauguin will also be featuring its most sought-after itineraries in 2016: the 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands, which all feature complimentary access to Paul Gauguin Cruises' two exclusive retreats—Motu Mahana and a private beach in Bora Bora. At Motu Mahana, guests enjoy a day of watersports, Polynesian activities, a sumptuous barbecue feast, and cocktails from full-service and floating bars. In Bora Bora, guests can relax on a white-sand beach and enjoy refreshments, a game of volleyball, and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

The Moana

The Moana will again offer sailings in Europe during spring, summer, and fall, along with cruises in the Caribbean and Latin America during the fall and winter.

Two 14-night transatlantic crossings are available between Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Lisbon, Portugal, departing March 26 and November 12, 2016.

European voyages showcase the best of southern Europe, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sea of Marmara. New for 2016 is a 7-night Roundtrip Athens, Greece, voyage which visits: Santorini, Rhodes, Symi, Patmos, and Mykonos, Greece, along with Kusadasi, Turkey, departing June 4, 2016.

The Moana's 7-night Barcelona, Spain, to Lisbon, Portugal, itinerary also features several new ports including Valencia, Cartagena, and Malaga, Spain. The ship also visits Cadiz, Spain; Gibraltar, United Kingdom; and Portimao and Lisbon, Portugal, departing November 5, 2016.

The Moana offers a new highlight on its 7-night Rome, Italy, to Barcelona, Spain, itinerary—a port call at Livorno for excursions to Florence, Italy. The voyage, which departs August 27, 2016, also visits Monte Carlo, Monaco; Nice, France; Cannes, France; Cassis, France; Sete, France; and Barcelona, Spain.

The Moana's 7-night Athens, Greece, to Istanbul, Turkey, voyage features Athens (Piraeus), Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Patmos, Greece, as well as Canakkale and Istanbul, Turkey, departing June 11, 2016.

An August 13, 2016, Rome, Italy, to Venice, Italy, voyage visits Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Lipari, Italy; Taormina (Giardini Naxos), Italy; Corfu, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Hvar, Croatia; and Venice, Italy, with a reverse itinerary departing August 20, 2016.

A 7-night Roundtrip Rome, Italy, voyage features the Italian ports of Rome (Civitavecchia), Amalfi, Sorrento, Lipari, Capri, Ponza, and Golfo di Aranci along with Porto-Vecchio (Corsica), France, and departs October 15, 2016, with cruise fares from $4,295 per person.
A 7-night cruise departing October 22, 2016, on The Moana sails Rome, Italy, to Nice, France, visiting Elba, Porto Venere, Florence (Livorno), and Portofino, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (overnight); Villefranche, France, and overnights in Nice, France.

The 7-night Nice, France, to Barcelona, Spain, itinerary features Nice, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; St. Tropez, France; and Sete, France, along with Palamos, Mahon, Palma de Mallorca, and Barcelona, Spain, and departs October 29, 2016.

In the Caribbean, The Moana introduces a new, 7-night "Yachtsman's Paradise" voyage sailing Roundtrip Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The itinerary features overnights in each Caribbean port allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich island culture. Tortola, B.V.I. (2 days); Jost Van Dyke, B.V.I. (overnight); Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. (overnight); Anguilla, U.K. (overnight); and St. Barts, F.W.I. (overnight). Departures include: March 19, 2016.

In Latin America, The Moana features an 8-night Colon, Panama, to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, voyage visiting Colon, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; Oranjestad, Aruba; Les Saintes, F.W.I.; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and departing March 11, 2016.

The 14-night Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Puerto, Caldero, Costa Rica, voyage departs December 3, 2016, includes a Panama Canal evening transit and visits St. Barts, F.W.I.; St. John's, Antigua; Les Saintes, F.W.I.; Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Columbia; Isla de Coiba, Panama; Golfito and Marenco, Costa Rica.

The Moana's 7-night Roundtrip Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, voyages visits Isla Parida, Panama, along with the Costa Rican ports of Granito de Oro, Isla de Coiba, Casa Orquideas, Casa Saladero, Drake Bay, Quepos, Curu, and Puerto Caldera, with holiday departures December 23 and 30, 2016.

The 6-night voyage departs December 17, 2016, and visits Isla Gamez, Panama, in lieu of Isla Parida, Panama, and Curu, Costa Rica.