Haute cuisine on wheels

It’s decorated with the aesthetics of a restaurant, featuring a spacious dining area and a specially designed glass fronted preparation kitchen. Food on board is presented by Michelin-starred chef, Carles Gaig. The tour is 95 Euros per person. Check it out at [email protected] or call +34 93 317 6454. Visit www.juliatravel.com.

 

Boarding now for Almaty

Air Astana heads for Hong Kong to bridge Central Asia and Asia’s East. Flights will initially be operated twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays using a Boeing 757 configured in a 16 business class/150 economy class configuration. The duration of the Almaty to Hong Kong flight is 6 hours 10 minutes, whilst Hong Kong to Almaty flight is 7 hours 10 minutes. Air Astana offers connecting flights from Almaty to nine domestic destinations including the capital Astana and Atyrau on the Caspian Sea, as well as regional services to cities including Baku (Azerbaijan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Kazan (Russia), Novosibirsk (Russia), St Petersburg (Russia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Tbilisi (Georgia) and Yekaterinburg (Russia). 

 

The ‘Facekini’ make a splash

A new beach fashion has been spotted in Qingtao – China’s best beach and beer destination. Dubbed the “Facekini”, the full-face masks with four holes cut for eyes, nostrils and mouth, is all the rage among swimmers and beach-goers waiting to protect themselves from sunburn and tanned skin. White skin is considered a sign of beauty in China. Like everything made in China, the Facekini will probably arrive at your local beaches soon. Take it off when heading for the bank.

 

New planes for PAL

Philippines Airlines (PAL) make an aggressive move on regional and long-haul routes, with the purchase of more than 40 Airbus craft – all new. Thirty-four A320ceo, 10 A321neo and 10 A330-300s will arrive to modernise PAL’s fleet from next year onwards. The single aisle A321 aircraft, one of Airbus’s best-selling models, are being purchased to enhance the airline’s product offerings on domestic and regional routes, as well as to support alliances with its partner airlines. The widebody A330s will be operated on higher demand regional routes and longer range services to the Middle East and Australia. The airline currently has 39 aircraft. Visit www.PhilippineAirlines.com.

 

Privacy in paradise

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru has now reopened after a full renovation covering private dipping pools adjacent to jet pools in each of the resort’s 48 villas. Located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, the resort draws holiday-makers for their dream getaway, with tropical-chic cottages nestled along a white powdery beach. Visit www.BanyanTree.com/en/maldives_vabbinfaru.