New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and London Mayor Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday a two-year tourism agreement to boost travel between the two cities.

The cities will provide each other with outdoor media advertising space, and NYC & Company and Visit London, their respective tourism arms, will share best practices as a way to maximize travel between the two destinations and will assist each other with at least one publicity event in each city.

“Now more than ever, as we work to limit the effects of the ongoing global financial downturn, it is important to find new ways to grow a diverse array of economic sectors, and tourism is among the most important for New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

“New York City and London, both significant sources of overseas travel for each market, can learn a great deal from one other and we will work together to highlight each other’s strengths and remain leading global cities.”

“London and New York City share many similarities, including a strong sense of optimism and determination, along with a great appreciation for diversity and innovation,” said Mayor Johnson.

Under the two-year tourism agreement, New York City will exchange 71 bus shelters with London that will run in New York City for four weeks per year.

In return, London will exchange 250 posters for four weeks on the London Underground system twice per year.

Traveling from Boston to Europe just got easier and more affordable with Azores Express/SATA’s newly announced fall and winter packages.

The Azores are the closest and one of the more affordable destinations in Europe, a short four hour flight from Boston’s Logan Airport. Azores Express/SATA hotel and air packages give travelers the opportunity to explore five different islands while staying at one of 24 hotels.

There are four hotels offered on the island of Terceira, two on the island of Faial, one on the island of Santa Maria, one on the island of Pico, and 16 on the island of Sao Miguel.

All packages depart from Boston and include roundtrip, non-stop air, six nights lodging and daily breakfast. Flights depart and return on Tuesday and Fridays and passengers can upgrade from coach to SATA Plus Business-Class for just a few hundred dollars each way. Kids under six stay free, and pay only a child’s airfare.

The Azores Express/SATA packages cost $709 to $1,429 per person, before tax and are available from Sept. 16, 2009 through June 15, 2010. Availability depends on your choice of hotel, the islands you wish to visit and travel dates. To book travel, call 800-762-9995 or visit www.sata.pt for more details.

New Hotels, New Options

Pico
The newest island added to the Azores Express/SATA packages is the island of Pico. Meaning “peak” in Portuguese, Pico is characterized by the steep volcanic mountain that often rises above the cloud cover. Visitors can climb to 7,700 foot summit, the highest point in Portugal, or stay closer to sea-level and enjoy Pico’s signature wine known for carrying just a hint of lava.

Along the southwestern coast, the verdant landscape is criss-crossed with two-foot walls that shield the vineyards from the elements. Visitors also enjoy strolling through the charming seaside towns that lie nestled between black rocks and the sea. Continue Reading

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Madrid, the Spanish capital and the country`s largest city contains unique, varied architecture and houses some of the world`s finest museums, monuments and palaces. It is an ideal venue for walking tours, but these need to be carefully planned to make the most of the experience.

A comprehensive guide book is an essential pre-requisite for a successful walking tour of Madrid. Better guides contain detailed maps of the city, along with some description and history of its major landmarks.

Obviously, some attractions will appeal more than others, so it is important to list the “must see” places, locate them on a map and plot an appropriate route between them.

Even at a leisurely pace, a worthwhile walking tour will take a couple of hours, so comfortable footwear is must. The “Madrid experience” can be enhanced by reading about each location in the guide and taking photographs.

Many of Madrid`s popular attractions are within walking distance of the centrally-located Plaza Puerta del Sol and this is a popular starting point for exploring Madrid.

In the middle of the square is a large equestrian statue of King Carlos III, looking out to a beautiful 18th-century red brick building, the former main post office.

In front of this building on the pavement is the “kilometer 0″ plaque, marking the center of the Spanish road network. Continue Reading

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Looking for a good hotel in London can be a daunting task, especially if you have a tight budget. However, the extensive options in terms of price, style, and location, mean that there are always opportunities to find a room to suit your needs, and your budget.

London`s finest hotels often come with eye-watering room-rates, but there are plenty of affordable rooms available in friendly, comfortable hotels in central locations. The key to finding a room at a great price is booking in advance, as there are plenty of great deals available.

London`s famous names, The Ritz, The Savoy, The Dorchester and Claridges to name a few, are not places most people`s budget can stretch to on a trip to London. However, for those looking for some historic splendour at a slightly more affordable price (well under £200 if you get a special online promotion), Hazlitt`s is one of London`s finest hotels.

The Ritz London

Located just off Soho Square, the 18th Century building is decorated and furnished in true period style, including wood panelling, oil paintings and some four-poster beds. Fortunately, the step back in time is not applied to everything, and all the mod-cons you`d expect from a top-range hotel, including WiFi and TV with DVD library, are also available.

Any traveller on a tight budget is likely to find London inescapably expensive at times. When selecting an area to stay, although opulence in the West End may not be an option, you do not have to travel far to find a great room at a reasonable price. Just yards from Oxford Street and Hyde Park, the Edward Lear Hotel, named after the Victorian artist and poet, may not offer luxury but it certainly has charm.

At just above or below £100 (depending on the season) for an ensuite double, and significantly less if you forego the ensuite, it certainly represents value for money in such a prime location.

Not far away at Paddington is the clean and comfortable St David`s hotel, renowned for its generous English breakfast.

It offers all sizes of rooms at very affordable prices, and is therefore especially valuable for those requiring a single room (from £40) or family-sized room (quad from £110, or 5/6 person room from £130). Continue Reading

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This summer Marriott is making London an even more attractive destination than normal with a special 25% discount off its hotel rates.

The promotion, which is valid for weekday stays and includes breakfast, must be purchased at least 14 days in advance.

Travellers can choose from one of 14 properties including Park Lane’s luxurious Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel or the brand new Twickenham Marriott Hotel at the home of English Rugby.

There is always plenty to do in London, and this summer is no exception. Travellers could pay a visit to the Queen and attend the summer opening of Buckingham Palace.

The royal residence will be opening its doors for the first time ever to the palace ballroom where visitors can take a tour of the lavish palace finery Or take in a little classical music at the Royal Albert Hall with the Proms 2009, running until September 12.

Five hundred tickets for each concert are available at the door for just five pounds, featuring top international orchestras and soloists. Continue Reading

The luxurious Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg, Russia – owned and operated by the legendary Orient-Express, has re-opened ten historic suites after a painstaking restoration project.

Located on the hotel’s Historic Floor, each suite has its own Russian historic name, with an interior to match, and reflects the rich history of both the hotel and St. Petersburg. Themes include Pavarotti, Stravinsky, Faberge and Romanov.

All of the suites are spacious, with an area of 55 to 97 square metres and 4.3 metre-high ceilings.

Each has a vestibule, a living room, a bedroom and a large bathroom. Their windows look out onto the most picturesque spot in the historic centre of St. Petersburg – Arts Square, with its monument dedicated to the great poet, Alexander Pushkin, and the building of the Noble Assembly.

The historic suites have retained their original 19th century features and style, thanks to restoration work carried out by French designer Michel Jouannet, who is renowned for his work at Hotel Cipriani in Venice and the Copacabana Palace in Rio-de-Janeiro.

The Grand Hotel Europe is classified as a national and cultural landmark and is under a preservation order as a historical monument. Continue Reading

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed an agreement with China Huaming International Investment Corporation to manage an hotel in Moscow, the group’s first property in Russia.

Set to open in 2012, the 400-room hotel will occupy the top floors of a 42-storey main building in the Park Huaming Business Centre in Moscow – a new major multi-purpose development.

Next to the Russian Botanic Garden, Northeast District, on Vilgelma Pika Street, the property is located only 10 kilometres from Red Square and 25 kilometres from the international airport.

Mu Hua Dong, general manager of CHMIIC, said, “Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is one of the world’s finest hotel operators and we are confident that based on the group’s strong reputation in China, this new property is set to be a resounding success. Most importantly, the group’s core values coincide with our goal of promoting Asian culture and ideals throughout the world.”

The hotel guestrooms will have a minimum size of 40 square metres and each room will have a view of the Chinese landscapes at the Park Huaming Business Centre or views of the Russian Botanic Garden.

Diverse dining outlets will include a Chinese and Russian restaurant; while a 1,200-square-metre grand ballroom, a 700-square-metre auditorium and a wide range of function rooms suited for large to small events, will cater to MICE guests. Recreational facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and health club will also be available.

The Park Huaming Business Centre, Moscow, will include an office tower, service apartments, an exhibition hall and a lifestyle area; featuring a Chinese garden with pavilions, restaurants, retail shops, as well as leisure and entertainment facilities. The city’s fourth ring road is being built, and when it is completed in 2012, it will provide direct access to the new hotel.

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Six of Spain’s restaurant made it into The UK’s Restaurant magazine world’s top 50, four out of those are in the top 10. The list starts out with Chef Ferran Adria of El Bulli in Catalonia for it’s fourth year in a row as the World’s Best Restaurant. The voting by 800 chefs, critics and industry insiders gave Spain a huge pat on the back after years of being unnoticed.

Mugaritz – run by Andoni Luis Aduriz, one of Adria’s proteges was again in fourth place

Arzak in the Basque region won eighth place for the second year running.

El Celler de Can Roca in Catalonia was the major surprise with a 21 place move up to number five in the poll. Another Adria protege Continue Reading

As the recession begins to take effect, more and more people in the UK are choosing to take their holidays in the UK. The traditional family holiday is back in fashion once more. UK holiday operators are finding a considerably greater interest in demand for holidays nearer to home, as holiday makers make cut backs in their spending.

As well as the chance to enjoy a less expensive holiday, the appeal of holidaying in the UK during the current economic crisis includes the fact that a British holiday offers better value for money. The cost of holidaying abroad has not fallen this year, and the majority of countries whose currency is the euro are suffering from lack of visitors due to the rate of exchange, which adds considerably to the overall cost of holidaying abroad.

The variety of holidays available in the UK has expanded and improved greatly since the days of the holiday camp. With so many people owning second homes, there is a great deal of choice of self catering cottages, houses and apartments to rent in beautiful coastal, rural and urban locations at competitive prices.

Camping is no longer only for the tough outdoor types. Camp and caravan sites nowadays cater for the expectations of visitors, with amenities such as restaurants, swimming pools and sports facilities, and camping equipment can be hired or bought at bargain prices, along with all the cooking and heating equipment necessary for the comforts of home. Camper vans can be rented for the week, offering the tourist the joys of the open road and the freedom to travel and stop off almost anywhere.

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A waiting period of up to six months for a visa to visit Denmark is costing the tourist industry between DKK 200 – 300 millions, travel insiders claimed, the Denmark Embassy’s News ex-press reported Tuesday.

The official application process for visitors applying for a visa from outside the European Union (EU) is three months, but according to Jens Zimmer of hotel and restaurant trade organization Horesta, “in most instances it’s far longer.”

Both tourists and business travelers have no time to wait for so long and therefore we lose them to other places instead,” he said

“Norway and Finland, which have a far shorter and easier application process, receive two to three times as many Chinese visitors than we do, so it’s time to set up a better, more effective procedure,” he stressed.

The first franchised Courtyard by Marriott property in France will open in late 2010 under an agreement reached between Marriott International and Societe Hoteliere de Boulogne.

The 115-room Courtyard by Marriott Paris Boulogne will be located in the re-development of an historic building that was originally owned by the Banque de France at 114 Route de la Reine in the city center of Boulogne-Paris.

The original edifice will house the hotel’s public areas including an open, spacious lobby, bar and restaurant; 336 square meters of conference space, a fitness facility and some guest rooms. An extension will be built behind and above the existing building, including three additional floors of guest rooms.

Accommodations all Courtyard hotels globally offer plush bed and bath linens; distinctly defined rest, work, relaxation and grooming areas; a large work desk with bright lighting and ergonomic chair; flat screen television; high-speed interest and voice mail access; safes; iron and ironing board and a coffee/tea maker. Continue Reading

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Internet users can see a sample ” street view” of Britain as a result of a new partnership between the country’s national tourism agency, VisitBritain, and the world ‘s most popular search engine, Google.

The two organizations announced on Thursday to launch Google Street View in Britain which features 25 cities and towns from around Britain. Users of Google maps can use Street View to get an idea of some of the sights they can enjoy while visiting Britain with a virtual walking tour of destinations from the nations’ capitals London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh, as well as major cities including Glasgow, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds and Oxford.

Last year, visits from overseas fell by two percent in the face of the global economic downturn and increasing competition from rival destinations. By working with Google Street View, undertaking innovative partnerships and exploring new ways of presenting Britain’s attractions, VisitBritain hopes the country could regain its place in the top five most popular destinations in the world. Continue Reading