TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan's first commercial jet in half a century made its maiden flight on Wednesday, in a breakthrough for the country's long-held ambition to establish an aircraft industry that can compete with some of the major players in global aviation.
The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) took off on a one-hour return flight from Nagoya Airport to test Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp's ability to bring the 100-seat class plane into service after three years of delays.
The unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which built the World War Two-era Zero fighter, is hoping the $47-million regional jet will help it oust Canada's Bombardier Inc as the world's second-biggest maker of smaller passenger jets behind Brazil's Embraer SA.
The MRJ is Japan's first commercial passenger aircraft since the 64-seat YS-11 entered service 50 years ago.
The first MRJ is slated for delivery in June 2017 to Japan's biggest carrier, ANA Holdings. Mitsubishi aims eventually to sell more than 2,000 aircraft in the competitive market segment.
So far it has secured 223 firm orders, most recently in January when Japan Airlines asked for 32 planes. The biggest single purchase, for 100 aircraft, was from U.S. regional airline operator Trans State Holdings.
Mitsubishi says the MRJ burns a fifth less fuel than aircraft of similar size, thanks to new-generation engines from Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp .
Japan's last attempt to establish itself as a commercial aircraft maker ended in failure. Production of the YS-11, built by a consortium that included Mitsubishi Heavy, finished after only 182 planes were built.
That programme however helped Mitsubishi Heavy and other companies forge ties with Boeing Co, turning them into major suppliers and partners of the U.S. aircraft maker and helping revive an aerospace industry that was dismantled after World War Two.
Those Japanese companies build 35 percent of Boeing's advanced 787 carbon-composite jetliner, including the wings, the most complex part.
Japan's biggest carmaker, Toyota Motor Corp, and largest trading company, Mitsubishi Corp, each own a 10 percent stake in the MRJ venture.
Switzerland is not only known for its beautiful Alps, a culture of appreciation for the understated, but also for its quality of living. These components, when brought together in a hotel, paired with exceptional luxury, contemporary design and high-end service are the most key to create an outrageous holiday experience.
When it’s cold and windy outside, it’s the perfect occasion to cuddle up in front of a fire place, after having spent the day floating in spring water pools, balancing one’s body and soul at private yoga classes or massage rituals. November is my favorite month to indulge in some real quality time at luxury mountain resorts and their spas. The weather is often rainy and there is no distraction from outside activities or sightseeing tours. You can stay at the hotel all day and take advantage of the wide range of indoor activities it has to offer, without the fear of missing out on exploring the city.
Five of the top Swiss luxury resorts host exceptional spas which are not only a „Wow“ for body and soul, but also for the eye.
The Dolder Grand Zurich
Photo Credit: The Dolder Grand
Architect Norman Foster and Luxury Spa Designer Sylvia Sepielli created a piece of art for relaxation by playing with Japanese simplicity, Swiss elements and reflections of light. The spa area features a black-tiled contemporary indoor pool area with a huge window front and long curved stone walls. The outdoor area, offers a heated whirlpool with stunning city views. Contrasts are set in the sauna area, such as Japanese Kotatsu footbaths and a Swiss snow paradise. Modern, energizing relaxation areas and a golden-mirrored meditation room invite you to stay all day – which many guests do.
The spa of the multi-award-winning luxury city-resort The Dolder Grand is not only a top choice for international guests, it’s a hotspot catering to sophisticated locals and an exclusive group of spa club members (who are selected by a committee).
Parkhotel Vitznau
Photo credit: Parkhotel Vitznau
When entering the modern luxury castle, the main hall welcomes you looking straight ahead on Lake Lucerne. This heavenly view continues at the spa. A 21m long and 9m wide heated infinity pool with surrounding lake and mountain landscape views make you melt and feel like being in heaven. The inside has a modern black and white color scheme, clear lines and shapes surround the wellness oasis. Another attraction is the huge saltwater aquarium that stretches from floor to ceiling and covers an entire wall. For these reasons the hotel is being particularly favored for weddings, honeymoons and romantic celebrations. The Parkhotel Vitznau offers an intimate Private Spa Suite with special treatments, of course.
The Alpina Gstaad
Photo credit: The Alpina Gstaad
Six Senses Spa. Three words that make a statement. The exclusive and limited brand is being discovered in the most beautiful and unique places of the world and is known for offering the highest quality of spa experience. In a luxury chalet atmosphere, surrounded by the Swiss Alps, The Alpina Gstaad hosts one of these Six Senses Spas, which offers customized treatments, special and rebalancing therapy programs, such as a „Tibetan Healing Retreat“. The mission of this therapy is to believe in the wholeness and interdependence of the body, mind and nature and the five elements of earth, fire, water, air and space as the common and fundamental principles shared by the body.
A dip into the heated outdoor pool while it’s snowing outside, makes you feel re-energized and reconnected with nature. The floating, salt and color therapy rooms are three of the 12 special rooms, that you should not miss out during your stay. After your spa day, you relax in heated water beds or in front of your suite’s own fireplace.
7132 Hotel Vals
Photo credit: 7132 Hotel
7132 is not only the post code of the Swiss municipality Vals – it is also the promise of a world where time does not exist. Those looking for tranquility and peace without compromise will find it at 7132 Hotel.
In the quiet village with just 1,000 inhabitants, star architects of worldwide fame have created a monument of simplicity. Each room and suite of the hotel was designed by a Pritzker-Architecture-Prize winner. Same for the thermal bath of the hotel. Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has created a space, where minimalistic architecture sets a statement for peace and tranquility. The luxury lies in the simplicity of the structure and the spaciousness of the interior. Zumthor has used Valser quarzit, a local stone, for the spa and with it created a cavernous atmosphere in which time does not seem to exist. The overstimulation of everyday is the exact opposite of the 7132 and its minimalist feel. Here, the definition of wellness and health is: Have lots of time and to take time for yourself. Natural spring water is known for its healing effects. Health and nature are important factors for 7132. The hotel’s Michelin-starred chef creates healthy and delicious dishes with fresh seasonal herbs that are hand-picked daily at the hotel’s own gardens and fields. The spa menu contains medical therapies, massages and relaxing treatments but also offers „A walk in the park“.
The Chedi Andermatt
Photo credit: The Chedi Andermatt
Asian luxury meets a Swiss ski resort. The Chedi Andermatt is GHM’s first Swiss property that opened its doors about two years ago for the first time. Renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy created a cosy yet visually striking atmosphere paired with elegant design, while using warm woods and natural stone – with more than 190 fireplace elements throughout the hotel and spa. A breathtakingly designed 35m indoor pool with Alps views is the centerpiece of the 2400 square meter spa and wellness area. Fit, organic and bio are key. Yoga and Pilates classes, personal training sessions and a state-of-art techno gym specials will keep your heart, body and mind fit for the day. After, you can detox in a bio sauna or warm up in an organic sol steam bath or simply cozy up in a lounge and enjoy a warm organic tea.
KLM has become the world’s latest airline to add the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” to its fleet.
The Dutch carrier celebrated the delivery of its first 787 on Saturday at a ceremony at Boeing’s assembly line in Everett, Wash.
"We are very proud to welcome our first Boeing 787 Dreamliner today," KLM CEO Pieter Elbers said in a statement timed to Saturday’s delivery. "This aircraft symbolizes a new phase in the future of KLM. Investment in our customers is one of our priorities. This efficient aircraft is part of that investment.”
ON KLM'S WEBSITE: Picking ip a brand new plane at the factory
The 787-9 taken by KLM on Saturday – acquired via leasing company AerCap – will be the first of about 20 to fly for the airline.
KLM will debut its 787 on three special “welcome flights” that each will take off from Amsterdam before returning an hour later. KLM offered seats on those flights for €149 (about $159), though all three flights quickly sold out.
We've got holiday getaways on the brain. But not just any old getaways. We're looking for something out of the ordinary, a place to fuel our passion for travel but that's yet to be affected by mass tourism.
From the Mexican beach hardly anyone has discovered to the Mediterranean city that's blissfully free of cruise ships, these seven off-the-beaten-path places are at the top of our 2016 travel list.
Whether it's a clip-on camera accessory or a great organizer, it's all worth taking with you.
Technology that’s easy at home can become a burden on the road—whether it’s too big, too heavy, or helpless when you’re away from a speedy Internet connection. The travel-friendly tech in this gift guide can save your favorite frequent flier some stress on their next trip. Whether it’s a clip-on camera accessory or a great organizer, it’s all worth taking with you.
Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens
OLLOCLIP
The Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens attaches easily and securely to your iPhone.
Having an iPhone eliminates the need to carry a big, bulky camera with you everywhere you go. But it’s no secret that an iPhone alone can’t do all the fancy trick shots that a standalone camera might be able to handle—unless you outfit it with an Olloclip.
This handy device simply slips over the existing camera on your iPhone, adding wide-angle, fish-eye, and two different macro (10x and 15x) lens. The resulting photos are sharp-looking and fun, and can be shared and saved just like any other photos you snap with your phone.
With prices ranging from $50 to $100, the Olloclip is cheaper than an extra camera, and far more compact. The $80 4-in-1 Lens for iPhone 6 also works with that phone’s front-facing camera for selfies, and comes with wearable pendants for toting the lens around.
Olloclip couldn’t be easier to use—unless your phone is protected by a case. Chances are, you’ll need to remove the case to attach the Olloclip. That’s why Olloclip now offers its own Ollocases (for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus only) that work with the Olloclip lens.
The Olloclip works with iPads, iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and iPhone 6/6Plus, as well as with the Samsung Galaxy S. The lenses are not interchangeable between devices, so you’ll need to make sure you’re buying the correct version for the phone or tablet in question.
Knomo Knomad Mini
KNOMO
From the outside, the Knomad Mini could be mistaken for a handbag.
Few things make you look—and feel—less professional than digging around in a big bag for your phone, or your tablet, or your charger, or your passport, or your…well, you get the idea. That’s why the Knomad Mini from Knomo is perfect for the traveler who wants to stay organized – and look the part.
KNOMOKNOMO
The Knomad Mini is small, but offers a host of organizing tools on the inside.
This folding, clutch-style organizer comes in a variety of colors and fabrics, with a canvas version that costs $60 and a leather version for $100. Both models hold an 8-inch tablet (it’s perfect for an iPad Mini or Kindle, but too small for a full iPad), as well as a phone, chargers, pens, and more. I love the elasticized tabs that hold cords and chargers firmly and neatly in place, and I love all of the pockets for holding my business cards and more.
Frequent travelers will appreciate the passport-sized slot that’s perfect for keeping travel documents easily accessible. And I love that its polished, professional look will be at home in almost any setting—even when I’m out at night. But best of all, I love that just putting all of my gear into this case makes me feel more organized instantly.
Booq Boa Squeeze Bag
BOQ
The Boq Boa Squeeze bag may look plain from the outside, but it’s an incredible organizing tool when you open it up.
The Boa Squeeze is billed as a lightweight laptop backpack, but it’ll look more at home in an office than in a high school, thanks to its sleek, curved design. Clad in black, water-resistant nylon, it’s nicely padded to soften any collisions between your gear and your back. I especially like that the inside is lined with a super-soft ivory nylon that makes it easier to spot the gear you’ve stashed inside.
I also like all of the compartments, pockets, and straps for keeping things neat and organized—including the quick-access pocket on the outside that’s perfect for storing a phone or travel information. Frequent travelers, and anyone using the Boa Squeeze to carry expensive gadgets, will appreciate that it comes with a Terralinq number, which can be used to track the bag if it ever gets lost.
There isn’t a laptop bag out there that will please everyone, but I’d wager the $130 Boa Squeeze bag is likely to impress plenty of people with its simple, sophisticated style.
Brunton Power Knife
BRUNTON
Brunton’s Power Knife looks a lot like an actual knife, until you open it up.
BRUNTON
The Brunton Power Knife has attracted a few glances in the time that I’ve been testing it. That’s because it looks a lot more like an actual knife—especially when closed—than it does like any sort of tech gadget. And that’s okay, because it means that this $25 gadget packs plenty of tools into its easy-to-carry design.
The Brunton Power Knife isn’t actually a knife at all. Instead, it’s a pocket-knife-shaped gadget that contains adapter ends to connect to most of today’s most popular tech products: Apple Lightning, Apple 30 pin, and micro USB. It also has a standard USB connector, which you can connect to a power source (not included) to charge up your gadgets on the go. Your own USB power source will work fine, but if you’re going to be using the Power Knife outdoors—which is what it’s designed for—you’ll want to make sure you have a weatherproof option.
Even if you’re not using it outdoors, the Brunton Power Knife proves its value. The pocketknife-like form factor means your charging cords tuck neatly away. The shape also makes this gadget easy to stash and to grasp. It even went through airport security without any issues. I packed it in a carry-on, and took it with me on two flights. One screener pulled it out to look at it, but immediately recognized its true purpose and sent me on my way.
Fugoo Sport Bluetooth speaker
FUGOO
The Fugoo Sport is small but sturdy, and it feels solid when you hold it.
It’s rare that I enjoy a new product as much as I did the $200 Fugoo Sport, a sturdy, waterproof Bluetooth speaker. Right out of the box, it impressed me with its attractive but durable design, its ease of use, and its loud, clear sound. The company says the sound quality is due to its six custom audio drivers, which face all directions. Whatever the reason, it sure sounds good.
FUGOO
You can swap out the Fugoo Sport’s default shell for a different “Style Jacket.”
It looks good, too. The Fugoo Sport feels sturdy and rests securely on just about any surface. While it’s about the size and weight of a brick, it’s a lot better looking than your average brick, thanks to its black-and-teal coloring and its tapered shape. The controls are handily located across the top of the speaker and are easy to use. Within a few minutes, even my four-year-old was playing and pausing his tunes—and I didn’t have to worry that he’d destroy the speaker.
The Fugoo Sport is snow-, mud-, water-, and shock-proof. While I didn’t test these claims extensively, it held up to the elements during an outdoor barbecue and plenty of hands-on time with young kids.
You can even swap out the Sport jacket for a different shell, called a Style jacket. This involves unscrewing the case and prying it off the innards of the speaker, which was hard enough to manage that I thought I might be damaging it. I managed to get the speaker into the red Style jacket, which is lighter and would make this a nice accessory for a holiday party, but I wouldn’t plan on switching jackets on the fly all too often.
Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard
LOGITECH
Logitech’s K380 Bluetooth keyboard is small and light enough to carry around.
This $40 gadget works with Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, iOS, Android, and Apple TV devices—and it can connect to three of them simultaneously. I tested it with a Windows PC, an iPhone, and an Android tablet, and it worked seamlessly. It paired easily and typed just as efficiently as a wired keyboard. I also like how compact it is—it’s slightly longer and narrower than a hardcover book—while still remaining roomy enough for typing.
While devices with touchscreens are all fine and good, I’m still a sucker for a good, solid physical keyboard. If I’m taking it with me, it has to be small and light enough to tote around, but still big enough to make typing quick and easy. That’s why I love Logitech’s K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard.
RHA T10i in-ear headphones, Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2
RHA
RHA’s T10i earbuds feature moldable over-ear hooks to create a comfortable fit.
Headphone style—whether over-ear (earmuff) style or in-ear (earbud) style—is really a matter of taste. I’ve always been firmly in camp earbud, so I was excited to try out RHA’s T10i in-ear headphones ($200). And they did not disappoint: I was impressed with the wide selection of tips for personalizing the fit, and the adjustability for improving the sound.
I was less anxious to try out the Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 on-ear headphones ($300). I haven’t worn on-ear headphones in years, and I thought for sure they’d feel bulky and uncomfortable. How wrong I was: the P5 Series 2 were surprisingly light and comfortable, and made for a very pleasant listening experience.
BOWERS & WILKINS
The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 headphones have a snug, comfortable fit.
Both the P5 Series 2 and the T10i let you listen to music and other audio, and include a microphone and an inline remote. Both feature excellent sound quality and impressive noise cancellation technology.
I put each pair to the ultimate test, during a long car ride with noisy kids. I was able to listen to music and phone calls easily. So easily, in fact, that I was almost able to forget there were any kids clamoring in the backseat at all.
The choice between the two will really come down to form factor. The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 headphones offer a premium build, quality music sound, and cords for using them with an iPhone or an non-iOS device. I liked how easily they slid on and off my ears, while still snapping nicely into place to seal in the music, and seal out the background noise. I was pleasantly surprised to realize how quickly I could forget I was wearing them.
RHA
The T10i earbuds come with an impressive selection of ear tips to fit most users.
The T10i are smaller and easier to tote around, thanks to their in-ear design. The T10i even comes with 10 different styles and sizes of foam and silicone ear tips, meaning almost anyone will be able to find a comfortable option. I also like the moldable over-ear hooks that keep the headphones locked in place.
True audiophiles will appreciate RHA’s tuning filters, which you can screw on and off the headphones to adjust the bass and treble of the music. I also like the solid construction—these headphones are made of copper and steel. The downside of that is the weight: The T10i are a bit on the heavier side, and while I wore them on a walk, I found them too heavy to wear while running.
D-Link DIR-510L
D-LINK
D-Link’s DIR-510L delivers fast Internet while you’re on the go.
Spotty Internet service is the bane of a traveler’s existence, but it can be avoided with a good travel router, like D-Link’s DIR-510L. The $100 router is small – slightly longer than an iPhone 5 and about twice as thick – and boasts both an AC adapter and its own battery. It comes with two USB ports that can be used for charging (in charging mode) or connecting devices and sharing files.
To use the DIR-510L to share Internet access, you simply turn it on (after you charge up the battery if you’re going cordless) and plug it into your router or your 3G/4G/LTE adapter. It creates its own wireless hotspot for you to use, and supports both 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n networks and 5GHz 802.11a or 802.11ac networks. In PCWorld’s roundup, the DIR-510L was the fastest travel router among four tested, so it delivers on speed. It also delivers on ease of use, which is just as important when you’re on the go.
Trakdot Luggage Tracker
TRAKDOT
The Trakdot Luggage Tracker is smaller than a deck of cards, and fits right in your packed bag.
Lost luggage can be a travel catastrophe. Enter the Trakdot Luggage Tracker, a palm-sized device that you slip into your bag to track its location.
To use the $50 Trakdot, you register it on the company’s Web site and activate it online. When you’re packing for a trip, you turn on the Trakdot by pressing and holding the center button.
I found this step slightly trickier than it should be, as it wasn’t always clear when the device was on or off. That minor quibble aside, Trakdot is easy to use: Once packed into your luggage, Trakdot notifies you by email and/or SMS when it reaches an airport (you select these notification options when you register the device). The company says Trakdot knows enough to go to sleep when it’s in flight, and awaken when it reaches its destination. If that destination isn’t the proper one, you can locate the bag and get it shipped to you.
Keep in mind that Trakdot’s location alerts do not pinpoint its exact location. It simply tells you it’s arrived at an airport. So if your plane is landing at LaGuardia, and Trakdot isn’t confirming that your bag made it there, too, it’s likely at the last airport Trakdot alerted you to. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s a head start on finding lost luggage
Thinoptics Glasses + Phone Case
Anything you can leave behind when you travel is a good thing—especially something like reading glasses, which you need desperately to read the receipt or your phone screen, but the rest of the time, it’s just something else you have to carry.
THINOPTICS
ThinOptics slips sturdy, lightweight reading glasses onto the back of a phone case, saving you one item in your bag.
Thinoptics’ ingenious design ($38.95 for the Glasses + Phone Case) is a modern take on the pince-nez:lightweight, but impressively sturdy reading lenses. A flexible bridge lets the glasses fold into a sleeve on the back of a phone case, and also bend out as much as needed to fit over the bridge of your nose. Even if, like me, you don’t have much of a bridge, the Thinoptics lenses hold on fairly well.
Thinoptics are clearly designed for reading while sitting. If you move around too much, the lenses could pop off—ditto if you happen to be a little sweaty from running for your train. The grips on either side of the nose are slightly abrasive, but not painful.
The iPhone case is handy, of course, but after several weeks of regular use, I found the Thinoptics lenses seemed to slip out of their sleeve a bit too easily. Thinoptics said the company's fixed this issue in more recent batches of the case. —Melissa Riofrio
Anker Ultra Slim Extended Battery Case
Anker’s $100 Ultra Slim Extended Battery Case for the iPhone 6/6s hits the sweet spot of functionality and affordability (Tip: Despite the list price, it typically sells for $40 on Anker’s Amazon page). Its 2850mAh capacity battery promises to provide up to 120 percent of battery life. We didn’t get quite that much with our iPhone 6, but we fully charged a dead iPhone with a bit to spare. You can power the case off and on at will, and its LEDs indicate how much juice the case has left. To charge the case, just connect it to a power source via the included Micro-USB cable.
ANKER
The Anker Ultra Slim Extended Battery Case fits over your iPhone and offer up to 120 percent of additional battery life.
It’s easy to slide off the top portion of the case, fit your iPhone into the main portion, then replace the top cap. It has cutouts for the iPhone’s ports, buttons, and rear-facing camera. Its texture is grippy, yet it slides easily into and out of your pocket. Most importantly, the case lives up to its name: It’s super-lightweight and maintains an impressively slim profile compared to other battery cases on the market.
Some downsides: The Ultra Slim Extended Battery Case requires a headphone jack extender, as the battery portion adds about a half-inch to the bottom. (Remember when the headphone jack was on top and we didn’t have this problem?) The included jack extender is nice but also one more thing you’ll have to keep track of. You can’t use your iPhone with any dock-cradle accessories while the case is on—but that’s true of any battery case. Also, the case itself cracked during testing, along the flimsy edge of the volume-button cutout. If you’re planning on using your battery case as your only case, something more rugged may be the better choice—like the OtterBox Resurgence Power Case. —Leah Yamshon
Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways are the first customers of
Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico which has started operations on July 21.
Just 11 months after ground-breaking in August 2014 the first Airbus
A320 from US-carrier Spirit Airlines arrived for a C-Check.
A second overhaul line is planned to be operational in November,
followed by three more lines until early 2017 to include Boeing 737 by
then.
"Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico has been founded to strengthen
significantly our service portfolio in the Americas, one of the most
important MRO markets worldwide. I would like to thank Governor
Alejandro García-Padilla and his team for their comprehensive support
and the excellent partnership which we could establish over the past 2
years", said Dr. Johannes Bussmann, Chairman of the Executive Board of
Lufthansa Technik AG. "And of course, I also would like to thank our
launching customers, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways, for the trust
they have set in us in the forefront of this day. With the arrival of
the first A320 Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico becomes operational.
Management and staff can be really proud of what they have achieved so
far."
"This is a fantastic moment for us", said Elmar Lutter, CEO of
Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico. "I would like to thank my team which has
carefully planned and worked hard for this moment since the beginning of
this project 2 years ago. Now we can focus on the next milestones which
are the ramp-up of the operations, the further development of our
capabilities and the constant training of our highly motivated
employees. I'm sure that Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico will become an
internationally acknowledged center of excellence for base maintenance
services, soon."
Currently, about 140 highly qualified employees have been trained and
are working for LTPR. It is planned to grow up to a workforce of 400 in
the next 2 years. The facility extends over a total area of 215,000
square feet. In its final configuration it will offer five lines for
base and heavy maintenance checks (C-, IL- and D-checks), along with
other maintenance work on narrow body aircraft. By using
state-of-the-art technologies it is even possible to paint aircraft in
the hangar while overhaul work is being conducted in parallel.
Thanks to the geographic location of Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico in
Aguadilla, on the west edge of Puerto Rico, it is within flying
distance of all Airbus A320 family aircraft in the Americas.
What's better than curling up with a good book in bed? Curling up with a good book in bed in a hotel inspired by books in Paris, that's what! Our friends at Book Riot rounded up 10 hotels that are perfect for world travelers who love a good read. To see more bookish destinations around the world, check out Book Riot's Literary Tourism series.
One of my weird obsessions is Anthony Melchiorri's Hotel Impossible. I love a good reality TV show (OK, and bad ones too), and this one, where Melchiorri goes into struggling hotels in order to find ways to make them better in a realistic and sustainable manner, pushes all my buttons. He's not particularly nice, but at the end of the day, his hard work and effort and care about the hotel and its owners and guests shows.
It got me thinking about how great a book or library themed hotel would be, which led me down the path of looking up the different hotels around the world which feature books or literature in some capacity. Turns out, there are quite a few. Here's a round-up of some of the most interesting bookish hotels where you can spend a night or two.
The temperatures are (finally!) rising, and with the warm weather comes the itch to book a trip. But if you're looking to skip tourist traps — or just want to try somewhere less expected than Miami or Rio de Janeiro — we've got 10 rising Latin American locales you've got to book a trip to ASAP. Keep scrolling to see the list, then take a look at these expert travel tips that guarantee a stress-free vacation.
Cartagena, Colombia
This gorgeous fishing village on the Caribbean coast has long been in the shadow of its sister city, Bogota — but it’s a must see in its own right. Visit the historic port city for its cobblestone streets and colorful architecture, delicious food (indulgent pastries and, of course, that Colombian coffee!), and sparkling turquoise-and-white-sand beaches, which are just a quick boat ride away from the metropolis.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Sure, the trendy Central American country of Costa Rica has a lot to offer — but if you’re looking for a similar combination of adventure, beaches, and jungles with less tourists and even more hidden treasures, Belize is the place for you. Plus, the Belize Barrier Reef rivals Australia’s and is perfect for the deep-sea adventurer ready to dive into snorkeling and scuba.
Havana, Cuba
Now that Americans can finally legally travel to Cuba (albeit as part of an approved travel organization licensed by the US State Department, like Intrepid Travel orInsight Cuba), Cuba is a 1950s time warp begging to be discovered. Between the vintage cars and colonial palaces, you’ll find endless authentic food, cigars, salsa, and mambo. And no matter where you are on the island, paradisiac beaches are just a walk or drive away.
OLLOCLIP
RHA
D-LINK
TRAKDOT
