Destination News - Europe.(Costa Cruise Lines's air packages and services)(Crystal Cruises Inc. honored with Venice Blue Flag aw

May 31, 2009

Berlin

Several restaurants in Berlin, one of Europe's most visited capitals, have begun issuing illicit bills to tourists with a message in English nudging them to pay more than is due. Bills marked with the message "Service not included" or "Tip not included" are handed out routinely to customers at some establishments who did not order in German. May 28, 2009

Costa Cruises

Costa is offering a cruise and air package for seven- to 14-night Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries beginning at just USD 169 per person each day. The offer includes cruise and airfare on routes departing from Venice, Civitavecchia, Savona, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Packages with seven-night cruises and roundtrip air begin at USD 1,352 per person, which reflects up to USD 300 in airfare savings for guests. This fare is available on departures from JFK to Rome on Eastern Mediterranean routes departing Nov. 2 and Nov. 16 aboard the Costa Romantica with stops in Italy, Greece and Turkey. This fare is also applicable to departures from JFK to Venice on Eastern Mediterranean itineraries departing Nov. 21 aboard the Costa Victoria with stops in Italy, the Greek Isles and Croatia. Additional gateways are available from the U.S. and Canada as well as additional European cruise routes. This Europe Cruise and Air Package is available through June 16. www.costacruises.com. May 28, 2009

Cruise Baltic

The European Cruise Council (ECC) and Cruise Baltic set up eight ship visits during May after identifying a need to build and cement partnerships between cruise lines and shore-side support at Baltic ports. Representatives invited were from environmental groups, port, community and government officials, maritime organizations and local media. The ship visits were on the Constellation at Rostock, Stockholm, Tallinn, and Copenhagen, the Tahitian Princess and Constellation in Helsinki, AIDA Luna in St. Petersburg and on Vision of the Seas in Oslo. Tours and presentations were conducted by environmental officers, together with senior executives from the representative cruise lines. These included Rich Pruitt, director-environmental programs for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Tom Strang, vice president-policy and regulation for Carnival Corp.; Capt. D.M. Emilio Tombolesi, director-environmental policy, maritime policy and compliance for Carnival Corp.; and Andrew Lorenzana, environmental operations manager for Princess Cruises. www.cruisebaltic.com. May 29, 2009

Crystal Cruises

For the second year, the port of Venice has awarded Crystal CruisesO Crystal Serenity the environmental Venice Blue Flag award. The prize recognizes the shipOs voluntary efforts to reduce air emissions by utilizing low-sulfur fuel while in Venice. The luxury line began using low-sulfur fuel in consideration of the port of the cityOs location in an urban environment, its artistic and architectural value, and the need to protect these treasures for future generations. OCrystal Cruises is very proud to once again receive the Venice Blue Flag award,O said Crystal President Gregg Michel. OLike the port of Venice, Crystal Cruises places the utmost importance on the respectful treatment of the environment. In addition to ongoing conservation training of staff, CrystalOs operational policies are designed to protect the environment and minimize our footprint in the ports we visit.O www.crystalcruises.com. May 29, 2009

Eurostar

High speed rail service Eurostar has introduced through fares for 18 Swiss cities. The company has teamed up with Lyria, which operates high speed trains between France and Switzerland, to provide passengers with one ticket for the whole journey. The main Swiss cities covered by the deal are Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Basel and Bern. The fastest journey times are six hours 28 minutes to Geneva, six hours 19 minutes to Basel and six hours 50 minutes to Lausanne. The trips to Zurich and Bern both take more than seven hours. Passengers would need to transfer from the Gare du Nord, where Eurostar arrives in Paris, to other main stations in the city. May 29, 2009

France

Sixty-five years ago, an estimated 130,000-150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy in one of the most crucial military operations of all time. This September, travelers can be there to commemorate this historic event through a special seven-day, six-night D-Day Vacation Package offered by American Airlines Vacations (AA Vacations), a division of American Airlines. May 26, 2009

Hurtigruten

"Green is the New Black" is Hurtigruten's new credo as it continues to promote Greenland as the best destination for travelers interested in gaining firsthand experience on global warming and the importance of safeguarding our planet's environment. Travel agents booking three cabins on a Greenland cruise (or any of the company's other 2009 products -- Norwegian Coastal Voyage, Spitsbergen or Antarctica) by June 30 will earn their own six- or seven-day cruise vacation along Norway's fjord-filled west coast, and the company's new "Green is the New Black" T-shirt after one booking. www.hurtigruten.us. May 27, 2009

London

Visit London has launched a new global campaign, OOnly in London.O The campaign is a [pounds sterling]2 million international marketing initiative aimed at boosting overseas visitors to the British capital by highlighting unique experiences that can only be found in London. Just recently, they initiated the first step of this campaign with a series of High Tea events in iconic London venues -- all to celebrate the swish, history and charm of the cityOs traditions. The campaign is expected to deliver an additional [pounds sterling]60 million worth of benefits to the whole London economy by the end of the year. It follows on from Visit LondonOs highly successful [pounds sterling]600,000 (USD 969,000) winter marketing campaigns which, to date, have returned [pounds sterling]6.7 million (USD 10.8 million) to the economy. Launched in the U.K. at the end of April, the campaign will then be rolled out across key international markets in Europe and North America during the summer. The campaign theme was developed following Visit LondonOs extensive research into the cityOs key visitor markets. This found that people were keen to come to the capital but wanted to be stimulated by LondonOs unique offering at a good value price. For more information, visit www.visitlondon.com. May 29, 2009

OneWorld

Airline alliance OneWorld has produced a series of free to view videos with tips for business travellers. The videos, which last up to 90 seconds, include advice on finding your way around a foreign city, how to travel light, how to stay wired, how to reduce stress and how to save time. The series has been put together in co-operation with travel guide book Lonely Planet. www.oneworld.com May 28, 2009

Paris

Three books have debuted on the subject of shopping in Paris. Pia Jane Bijkerk is a guide to shopping in Paris, and her new book, OParis: Made by HandO shares little-known stores from which she sources items for her own fashionable clients. The book focuses on over 50 shops that exemplify the Paris fait main aesthetic by offering one of a kind items produced or restored entirely by hand. In paperback, the book is priced at USD 18.95. May 29, 2009

TourCrafters

TourCraftersO hotels are discounting as much as 25 percent -- not just in Italy, but in Spain, France, Greece and Turkey, too. In Rome, the four-star Hotel Cicerone in the exclusive Prati section close to the Vatican, shops and restaurants, has reduced the price of a double room from USD 406 to USD 324 a night. The hotelOs recently refurbished rooms boast air conditioning, Wi-Fi, mini-bars and satellite TV. The four-star Hotel Beverly Hills, in the prestigious Parioli neighborhood, close to the Villa Borghese park and just a short walk to the Via Veneto has also lowered the price of its rooms from USD 366 to USD 304. In October, the four-star Hotel River, close to the Piazza del Popolo, will cut its room rates from USD 332 to USD 266. www.tourcrafters.com. May 29, 2009

Uniworld

Uniworld has introduced the new River Beatrice on the Danube. The ship features original art-sketches in black and white, color lithographs, and oil on canvas paintings by Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and more. The interior was designed by Beatrice Tollman, godmother and namesake of the River Beatrice and president of UniworldOs sister company, Red Carnation Hotels. Assisting were lead designers for Red Carnation Hotels, her daughter Toni and Brian Brennan. www.uniworld.com. May 29, 2009

VIP Tours

VIP Tours is partnering with Hurtigruten, formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyages, to offer packages to Norway and Scandinavia. Rates start at USD 2,340 per person for a standard interior cabin during the low season. Pricing includes on pre- night and one post- night in either Bergen or Kirkenes. Prices are land only. www.viptours.travel. May 28, 2009

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