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Volume 6, Issue 51, December 24, 2008 |
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’Tis the season around the world! As billions around the globe prepare to celebrate the holidays and other winter festivals, eFlyer is offering a glimpse into celebrations worldwide.
Finlanders believe Father Christmas resides in the northern part of the country. Appropriately, Christmas Land, a holiday theme park, is located in his neck of the woods. In France, Noel is an important time to celebrate with family and enjoy the finest meats and wines. A popular German decoration is a little wooden frame inside windows holding electric candles and colored pictures of paper and plastic, illuminating the night. Der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus) delivers presents in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. In Latvia, Father Christmas brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas, beginning Christmas Eve. A popular holiday meal in Romania is stuffed cabbage. The special meal in Sweden is ham, herring and brown beans.
Other international customs include a variety of winter celebrations. In China, the main winter festival is the New Year. Celebrated at the end of January, it’s a time to honor one’s ancestors. The Hindu population in India observes this time of year by placing clay oil lamps on their roofs to celebrate the return of the sun. In Scotland, Hogmanay, Dec. 31, is the start of a multi-day festival. Also common is the tradition of first footing, when the first person that enters your house brings good luck for the coming year — however, the guest must be a dark-haired male.
Festivals of Light are another popular worldwide winter tradition. Festivals are celebrated in Sweden, Holland, India (Diwali light festival), Egypt, Philippines, Thailand, Mexico and China. Traditional religious celebrations include lighting rituals, such as the Advent wreath in Christianity and the menorah in Judaism.
Popular places to visit this winter include ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden and Lapland’s Christmas Village.
Happy Holidays to one and all from Global Traveler! 
Oneworld recently announced it would become the first airline alliance to sell multi-airline around-the-world airline tickets online. The new feature will allow customers to plan, book and pay for their around-the-world itineraries on the Oneworld Web site. Customers will have access to the alliance’s 10 member airlines serving 700 destinations in 150 countries. The tool is now available and member airlines will also add the booking tool or access links to their individual Web sites.
Hilton Hotels’ luxury brand, The Waldorf=Astoria Collection, is set to make its French debut next year. The Trianon Palace Versailles will join the collection and become the second European hotel to join the prestigious collection. The property is conveniently located near the Chateau de Versailles. The Waldorf=Astoria Collection will make its debut in Israel in 2010 with The Palace Jerusalem. The collection currently operates four U.S. properties and two international properties. Waldorf= Astoria hotels and residences are being developed worldwide.
Turkish Airlines will introduce first-class service on long-haul flights. The airline leased three Boeing 777s from Jet Airways. The aircraft, joining the fleet on Dec. 24 and 25, will offer eight first-class seats, which will recline 180 degrees. The aircraft will serve the Singapore, Hong Kong, London, New York and Tokyo routes. Future plans are being made to expand the Turkish Airlines fleet into 2009.
Jet Airways and Emirates are partnering to offer reciprocal frequent-flyer programs. Members of Jet Privilege will earn and redeem miles on Emirates’ flights, excluding flights between India and Dubai. Members of Skywards will earn and redeem miles on all Jet Airways’ flights within India. Emirates will also institute a unilateral codeshare on Jet Airways flights from Mumbai (BOM) and New Delhi (DEL) to Dubai (DXB).
LimoRes.net has launched an exclusive deal with Delta Air Lines. The corporate ground transportation provider will offer customers the opportunity to earn Delta SkyMiles. The program is offered to any customer who orders any type of vehicle with LimoRes.net. BMI will become the first British carrier to offer in-flight communications service. The airline teamed up with OnAir to offer texting, Internet and email services onboard. The service will be offered on a six-month trial basis on A320 aircraft between Heathrow (LHR) and Moscow.
Newark (EWR) to Oslo (OSL)
Economy Class
800 523 3273
www.continental.com
Continental operates a daily 8 p.m. flight to Oslo (OSL) from Newark (EWR) and I was fortunate to snag an exit row aisle seat, which provided more legroom in the 757-200’s economy 3-3 sections. Norwegian and Swedish business travelers occupied most of the other 158 seats.
We left the gate on time, but take-off was almost an hour late due to air traffic and weather. Dinner was served 30 minutes after lift-off and my baked chicken over wild rice, with salad and rolls, was good, despite the plastic container. Dessert was a delicious “Love & Quiches” double chocolate crunch brownie. The only disappointing item in the economy-cabin meal service was the wine. The airline charged $5 for an 8-ounce plastic bottle of UMA red from Argentina, which was almost too acidic to drink.
The rest of the flight went smoothly, the nine-inch seat-back entertainment system offered numerous films, TV shows, games and music channels. Flight attendants kept walking through the aisle, either collecting litter or offering juice and water. About an hour before landing, a light breakfast was served, consisting of a warm croissant and a small cup of fresh melon. The 17.2-inch seat width in economy leaves little elbowroom on a crowded overnight flight and sleep was all but impossible.
We landed in foggy Oslo at 9:45 a.m., just 15 minutes behind schedule despite the delayed take-off. A good tailwind pushed us along in a little under seven hours. Although the terminal building was surrounded by a snowy tarmac, and the Norwegian morning sky was filled with a surreal winter light, the interior of the airport was warm and cozy as we filed out of the aircraft after a fast and, thankfully, uneventful flight.
Score: ••••• Ron Bernthal
Regent Hotels & Resorts are offering a load of great deals for the holidays. Through Jan. 31, 2009, the Regent Berlin is offering a Holiday Shopping Escape, including one night in a superior room, a private tour of The Corner (a top shopping destination in the city), personal stylist services at The Corner for an exclusive discount and daily breakfast. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 2, celebrate 2009 at The Regent Esplanade Zagreb with two nights in a superior guestroom, two tickets to the hotel’s New Year’s Eve gala, New Year’s Day bath menu and butler services and breakfast. Another New Year’s option is available at The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 1, enjoy two night accommodations, New Year’s Eve dinner for two, admission to a New Year’s Eve celebration and breakfast. Through Jan. 1, The Regent Bal Harbour is offering Starry, Starry Nights, including accommodations, dinner for two with champagne toast, couple’s massage, cocktail class with a hotel mixologist, continental breakfast, $50 gift certificate and a private tour of the hotel’s art collection. Call 800 545 4000 or visit the Web site.
If you are looking for an island getaway this winter, visit Bora Bora with Islands in the Sun, a company specializing in romantic trips to the South Pacific. Islands in the Sun is giving couples $1,000 spending money for all bookings that include international airfare and a minimum five-night hotel stay, including breakfasts and dinners, on Bora Bora. Couples can use the money as credit toward travel expenses or as cash upon arrival. Bookings must be made before Jan. 15, 2009 for travel between Jan. 9 and April 30. For more information, visit the Web site.
Visiting Boston this winter just got sweeter! Through Feb. 28, 2009, the Liberty Hotel’s Winter Wonderland package includes overnight accommodations, a custom walking map, advance tickets to the Frog Pond Ice Skating Rink on Boston Common, complimentary in-room movie, two gourmet hot chocolates or hot toddies and breakfast for two. Call 617 224 4000. Through Jan. 30, the Holiday Shopping Special at the Westin Waterfront includes complimentary parking, $50 Visa gift card and a Macy’s coupon. Offer is valid for weekend stays. Call 866 716 8121. Through March 30, experience the city with Boston Harbor Hotel’s Winter Family Fun Package, including overnight accommodations, hot chocolate and warm cookies for four upon arrival, four tickets to the aquarium and complimentary valet parking. Call 617 439 7000.
A ski trip is the perfect winter vacation. Plan a trip to participating Fairmont Hotels and enjoy the Ultimate Ski Package, including nightly accommodations, daily breakfast and two adult lift tickets per day. Available through the entire ski season, the package is offered at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Charlevoix, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Quebec City, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Tremblant and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Visit the Web site.
If you are still undecided on where to ring in the New Year, consider these two packages. At the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, enjoy a special price on accommodations (including valet parking and late check-out) and the Rockin’ Through The Decades bash (priced separately) which includes entertainment, a four-course dinner, four-hour open bar and champagne toast. Reference code NYEVE and book online for hotel stays and through Ticketmaster for party tickets. For an international celebration, visit the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris. The New Year’s Eve package includes a gala dinner with live entertainment, accommodations, champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast and New Years day brunch. A spa discount and late check out are also available. Call 33 1 58 36 6700 or email for reservations.
