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Weekly UpdatesJun 14, 2009
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a swine flu pandemic as the virus continues to spread globally. The first death in the UK from the virus, that of 38-year-old Jacqueline fleming in Scotland, has also been announced. WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan said: "The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries. Jun 12, 2009
Developing countries, where medical care systems are weak and supplies of antivirals insufficient, will be the frontline of the World Health Organisation's battle against pandemic flu. The new H1N1 virus has caused mainly mild illness among people in rich countries such as Canada and the United States, with most patients recovering without even going to a doctor. But experts fear it could prove far more deadly to poor populations already weakened by malnutrition, chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, or low immunity due to HIV/AIDS. Jun 12, 2009
The World Health Organisation appears ready to declare the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years, after calling an emergency meeting of experts on Thursday to discuss the spreading H1N1 outbreak. There have been 27,737 cases reported in 74 countries to date, including 141 deaths, according to the WHO's latest tally. Jun 11, 2009
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is on the verge of declaring the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years, but wants to ensure countries are well prepared to prevent a panic, its top flu expert said on Tuesday. Keiji Fukuda, acting WHO assistant director-general, voiced concern at the sustained spread of the new H1N1 strain -- including more than 1,000 cases in Australia -- following major outbreaks in North America, where it emerged in April. Confirmed community spread in a second region beyond North America would trigger moving to phase 6 -- signifying a full-blown pandemic -- from the current phase 5 on the WHO's 6-level pandemic alert scale. Jun 9, 2009
Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie & Kent has waived single supplements aboard the Minerva on select Antarctic departures when booked before Aug. 31. The deal is offered on 21-day voyages of Dec. 17 to Jan. 5, Jan. 2 to 21, Jan. 28 to Feb. 16 and Feb. 13 to March 4. Fares start at USD 8,997 per person after the discount and based on availability. Abercrombie & KentOs expedition team and lecturers -- naturalists, geologists, zoologists, historians and ornithologists -- offer an enrichment program. Historian Dr. David Wilson, great-nephew of the great polar adventurer Edward Wilson who died with Captain Scott on his return from the South Pole in 1912, will share his knowledge of the history of Antarctic exploration with family pictures and rarely seen material drawn from family archives. www.abercrombiekent.com Jun 8, 2009
Finland
The Finnish village of Hetta opened a new skiing resort in early February. The resort now has six ski slopes, of which five are for adults and one for children. In addition to the downhill slopes, there are over 60 miles of cross country ski trails and a network of snowshoe trails. Snowmobile transportation can also be arranged for skiing in the wilderness regions. Hetta village is located in the municipality of Enonteki in the northwest area of Finland, bordering Sweden and Norway. Enonteki provides great facilities for skiing, with guaranteed snow from October to April, and more than 60 percent of FinlandOs fells. OWhile we donOt compete with the larger ski centers in Lapland, we do offer tranquility and guaranteed snow from October to early May for families with children,O said Matti Rantatalo, ski slope manager. For more information, visit www.hetanhiihtomaa.fi. Jun 12, 2009
Sceptre Tours
For the active traveler who wants to experience Ireland up close and personal, Sceptre Tours is offering a choice of nine walking tours through the country with select tour dates from June through September. These tours cover approximately eight to 13 miles per day and all offer a relatively easy walk. The Ireland walking tours from Sceptre are priced from USD 1,559 per person, land only and include seven nights' accommodation in Irish bed and breakfasts, full Irish breakfast daily, picnic lunch each walking day, expert Irish guide, transfers to and from each dayOs walk, luggage transportation throughout the walk, collection from airports within fixed collection times, and transfers to the nearest bus/train station at the end of the trip. The tours include Walking Dingle, from USD 1,559; walking Burren & Connemara, from USD 1,689; Walking Achill Island & Mayo Coast, from USD 1,689; Walking Kerry, from USD 1,689; Walking Antrim Coast, from USD 1,739; Walking West Cork, from USD 1,689; Walking Donegal, from USD 1,689; Walking Wicklow, from USD 1,689; and Traditional Ireland, from USD 1,749. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Sceptre Tours can also offer pricing on airfare from more than 100 gateway cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. www.sceptretours.com. Jun 11, 2009
TourCrafters
Though air fare to Italy is currently USD749, TourCrafters is offering a Summer Special to Florence for USD 699, including roundtrip air from New York, four nights in a four-star hotel and four buffet breakfasts. The offer is open for booking until June 30. In addition to air, hotel and breakfasts, the package includes entrance to Florence's Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a 24-hour city bus pass, a 20 percent discount on admission to OGalileo, Images of the UniverseO at the Strozzi Palace, a 10 percent discount on bike and scooter rentals, and a 10 percent discount on CAF Tour & Travel's city tours, excursions to other cities, outlet shopping tours, cooking classes and horseback riding. In addition, for every USD 20 a couple spends, they will get a USD 1 voucher to spend for a winter vacation in Italy. www.tourcrafters.com Jun 12, 2009
Uniworld
Uniworld is offering two-for-one fares on European river cruises in October when booked and deposited by June 30. The savings is good on the following cruises and dates: ODanube Discovery,O Nuremberg to Vienna, Oct. 18, nine days; OPortugal, Spain and Douro River Valley,O Lisbon to Porto, 11 days, Oct. 22; OLegendary Rhine and Moselle,O Basel to Amsterdam, 14 days, Oct. 10; and OParis and Heart of Europe,O Paris to Vienna, 18 days, Oct. 10. Uniworld cruises include river-view staterooms; all meals with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks during dinner; celebratory dining events; onboard entertainment; shore excursions hosted by English-speaking local guides; and all transfers on arrival and departure days. www.uniworld.com. Jun 9, 2009
Wales
Management at Wales' first five-star holiday village say it has attracted 40,000 visitors to Pembrokeshire. The [pounds sterling]110m Bluestone attraction suffered a "difficult" start with construction "not going to plan" followed by the "worst recession in living memory". But the second phase of the village is planned to start later this year, said chief executive William McNamara. The heritage minister said Bluestone was making a "great contribution" during tough economic times. Bluestone opened in July 2008 after several years of planning wrangles because it was partly sited in the Pembrokeshire National Park. Jun 9, 2009
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