Dinner at the opera

Events can be customised, from the time of day, length and type of performance to the food served, which ranges from three-course meals to six- and seven-course tasting menus, all prepared by Leonardo Di Clemente, the executive chef of the hotel’s Gresham Restaurant. The Opera House, a neo-Renaissance building from the late 19th century, features a grand entrance, vaulted ceiling, marble detailing and a sweeping staircase. – New York Times

 

 

New terminal for Incheon

 

The ground was broken recently for a new terminal at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport. Set to open in 2018 before the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the new Terminal 2 will double the size of the existing airport. It will be designed in the shape of a mythic phoenix, a Korean symbol of authority, longevity, strength and balance, according to Gensler, the collaborating design architect with the leading firm HMGY Consortium. The terminal will feature Korean materials, including locally quarried granite and regionally harvested wood. 

 

 

Gorillas in the mist

Safari-goers can now get up-close, though perhaps not personal, with mountain gorillas in Africa, as the Uganda-based Premier Safaris launches four-day tours in the company of gorilla researchers in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In addition to staring in awe at a rare African species, safari-goers will assist to Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s research team. The assignment in the field is as simple as collecting the gorilla dung for future lab analysis and visiting communities. Rates start at US$3,300 per person. A portion of the trip fees goes to Conservation Through Public Health, a non-profit organisation founded by Dr Kalema-Zikusoka. Visit www.ctph.org. 

 

 

Lao Airlines delays Myanmar route

 

National carrier Lao Airlines has rescheduled the opening of direct flights between Vientiane and Yangon in Myanmar to late next year after failing to open the route this month. The new sector will now be available in October next year. The airline needs more time to ensure the route is profitable, deputy director general of the airline's Commercial Department, Manivone Lattanavong, told Vientiane Times. The tour operators typically make their travel and booking plans one year ahead, so the airline needs to work out its marketing plan with tour operators before the planned opening next year. – Vientiane Times/ANN

 

 

New Best Western for Jakarta

 

Best Western has expanded its portfolio of hotels in Indonesia with the opening of the Best Western Mega Kuningan in Jakarta. The hotel is located in the prime business and commercial area of Mega Kuningan, close to several embassies and the offices of multinational companies. Set in a nine-story building, the 67 guest rooms and suites all come equipped with amenities such as flat-screen televisions with international satellite channels, minibars, tea and coffee making facilities, work desks and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel will also feature the Teratai Coffee Shop serving light refreshments throughout the day.

 

 

MSN3 takes flight

 

The second Airbus A350 XWB took off from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport France recently following the debut roll out of the aircraft back in June. Known to the A350 team and plane-spotters around Toulouse as MSN3, the second Airbus A350 XWB made its virgin flight on October 14. Three more A350 XWB test aircraft will join MSN 1 and 3 to perform the planned 2,500 hours up to Type Certification. The A350 XWB has already won 725 firm orders from 37 customers worldwide. Designed to compete with Boeing 787 Dreamliner on long haul services, A350 XWB is a long-range, two-engined wide-body aircraft.