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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Qantas Dreamliner will fly non-stop from Perth to London



Qantas is set to add to its list of aviation firsts, with the national carrier confirming it will operate non-stop flights from Perth to London using the 787-9 Dreamliner. 

The 14,498 kilometre service will be the first regular passenger service to link Australia with Europe directly when it begins in March 2018.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the history-making route would be a watershed for travel, tourism and trade.

“When Qantas created the Kangaroo Route to London in 1947, it took four days and nine stops. Now it will take just 17 hours from Perth non-stop.

“This is a game-changing route flown by a game-changing aircraft. Australians have never had a direct link to Europe before, so the opportunities this opens up are huge.

“It’s great news for travellers because it will make it easier to get to London. It’s great news for Western Australia because it will bring jobs and tourism. And it’s great news for the nation, because it will bring us closer to one of our biggest trade partners and sources of visitors.”

Source: Press Release 11 December



Saturday, December 3, 2016

Janet Luxton 'Everyone Unique'.

Last days to see Janet Luxton's fabulous work at the Australian Galleries, Paddington.

15 Roylston Street Paddington NSW 2021
Open 7 days 10am to 6pm 

http://www.australiangalleries.com.au/exhibitions/every-one-unique/

Janet Luxton:  Kakapo, New Zealand Night Parrot 2015. Oil on linen.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Rauschenberg in China

The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece, 1981–98, Panels 116 to 120
116: Silkscreened ink and acrylic on anodized mirrored aluminum; 117 to 120: Silkscreened ink and acrylic on enameled aluminum
304.8 x 121.9 cm each
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation © 2016 Robert Rauschenberg Foundation



















The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) is proud to present “Rauschenberg in China.” On view in UCCA’s Great Hall from 12 June to 21 August 2016, the exhibition centers on Robert Rauschenberg’s (1925-2008) magnum opus The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece (1981–98), its 190 parts stretching approximately 305 meters and exhibited for the first time since 2000. Also included in the exhibition is a selection of Rauschenberg’s color photographs titled Studies for Chinese Summerhall (1983), taken during the artist’s travels in China in 1982. Accompanying these works is a collection of documentation and ephemera related to Rauschenberg’s transformational 1985 exhibition “ROCI CHINA” at the institution now known as the National Art Museum of China.



CHART ART FAIR, the leading Nordic contemporary art fair, returns to The Royal Danish Academy of Fine ArtsKunsthal Charlottenborg in Copenhagen for its fourth edition from August 26 28, 2016. Since its inception, CHART has established itself as the international platform for contemporary art in the region.

CHART breaks with the traditional fair format by carefully curating the galleriesartwork and presenting everything in unison as an exhibition, in the halls of Kunsthal Charlottenborg. The selection and curation is realised by the five founding galleries based in Copenhagen: Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Galleri Bo Bjerggaard, V1 Gallery, Andersens Contemporary and David Risley Gallery.

This year 28 of the leading galleries from the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) and 2 galleries based outside of the Nordic region, but originating from Copenhagen and Helsinki, have been invited to participate in the fair. Belenius/Nordenhake (SE), Galleri Brandstrup (NO), Croy Nielsen (DE), and Helsinki Contemporary (FI) will exhibit at the fair for the first time. 

Source: Press release

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Booking a holiday makes 15 per cent of British women happier than sex, says Airbnb

‘Desktop Holidays’ on the rise: Beat the January Blues by browsing holiday websites

·        Airbnb sees 36 per cent rise in browse-time from December to January as neuropsychologist identifies a developing breed of ‘desktop travellers’

·        Booking a holiday makes 15 per cent of British women happier than sex

·        ‘Mind Travel’ causes feel-good chemicals such as dopamine


Renowned British neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis has identified a rise in people browsing holiday sites in January as a means of escapism, terming this ‘desktop holidays’.

The news comes as leading community driven hospitality company Airbnb releases data showing a significant rise in how long people spend lusting after holiday destinations in January. Typically guests browse for 36 percent more time in January than December, which Dr David Lewis attributes to the intrinsic desire for a feel-good boost.

Research from the UK confirms that 75 per cent of people regularly browse travel websites to cheer themselves up - one in three doing so when they should be working. This isn't the only coping mechanism however; one in ten admit to taking a sniff of sunscreen for a spot of sensory escapism, and actually booking a holiday makes 15 per cent of women happier than sex.

Neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis comments that for the British: “January is the month when Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is most severe. Grey skies, short days and a lack of sunshine can lead to bouts of ‘winter depression’ by increasing the production of melatonin by the brain’s pineal gland. The hormone can generate feelings of despair, guilt, a loss of pleasure in everyday activities, irritability and a lack of energy.

“One answer is to use the Internet to fantasise about your perfect holiday in the sun. This form of ‘Mind Travel’ causes feel-good chemicals such as dopamine, dubbed the ‘pleasure pedal,’ to flood into your brain making us happier, more energetic and more optimistic.”

The number of booking per minute also sees a spike in January, up 18 percent on the yearly average.  Airbnb sees an average 45 bookings per minute in January, compared to a yearly average of 38 per minute.

As for the type of properties that make up these dream holidays, the more unusual the better. Browsers using the Wish List tool are choosing treehouses over stately homes, and dreaming about igloos, converted vans, lighthouses and caves.

Top 10 Most Wish Listed Properties on Airbnb

1 Secluded Intown Treehouse <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1415908> Atlanta Ga
2 The Seashell House ~ Casa Caracol <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/530250> Mexico
3 Treehouse/casabarthel <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1621152> Tuscany, Italy
4 Unique Cob Cottage <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1720832> Mayne Island, Canada
5 Aroma(n)tica TreehouseinMonferrato <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/880308> San Salvatore Monferrato, Italy
6 Mushroom Dome Cabin <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/8357> Aptos, CA
7 Pirates of the Caribbean Getaway <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/507927> (tent) <https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/507927> Topanga Canyon, CA,
8 Balian Treehouse with private pool <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1016153> Bali
9 Brand New Mini Loft <https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/803710> Rome, Italy
10 Off The Gridit House <https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19606> Pioneertown, CA

Top 10 Wish Listed Property Types on Airbnb
1.          Treehouse
2.          Igloo
3.          Van
4.          Lighthouse
5.          Cave
6.          Island
7.          Yurt
8.          Train
9.          Loft
10.        Cabin

##

About Airbnb
Founded in August of 2008 and based in San Francisco, California, Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world – online or from a mobile phone. Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and more than 190 countries. And with world-class customer service and a growing community of users, Airbnb is the easiest way for people to monetize their extra space and showcase it to an audience of millions.

Source: Press release

Monday, November 23, 2015

Java Wooden Villa opens in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap, CAMBODIA, November 2015 – The unique 10-room Java Wooden Villa hotel in Siem Reap opens in December 2015.  It will be managed by Asia Initiative Corporation Plus (AICPlus), Cambodia’s leading domestic hotels & resorts management company. 

The two-storey Java Wooden Villa reflects traditional Khmer architecture with ancient recycled timbers and handcrafted wooden filigree, complemented by ‘Manhattan’ style modern design and luxury appointments.  The villa rooms overlook a large saltwater pool, sun beds, umbrellas, private lounge spaces, rooftop dining and lush tropical gardens.




Located in the the popular but relaxed Krous Village area, Java Wooden Villa offers 6 luxury guest rooms and 4 family suites, and easy access to the Siem Reap airport, golf course, a 5-minute remarque (tuk tuk) ride to the popular Pub Street, old markets, and 15 minutes from the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The hotel design enables guests to move seamlessly between their Villa room, pool, spa and massage centre, bar-and-restaurant and lounge areas.  Delicious Cambodian cuisine as well as popular western dishes are available until 11 pm with fresh cocktails, craft beers and wines available.

The Java Wooden Villa hotel complements the Bong Thom homestay, also managed by AIC, which provides a unique community-based village life experience in traditional Khmer housing set among mango and dragon fruit orchards, a purpose-built fish farm, and rice fields.

AIC’s portfolio of Cambodian hotels under management is now 10 with AIC recently announcing the signing of a 9-year lease of the popular The Sanctuary Villa Battambang hotel.

Prices at the Java Wooden Villa hotel begin at USD80 and family rooms from USD150.  A special 15% discount on existing internet room rates offered by recognised online hotel booking agencies is available for a standard suite at the Java Wooden Villa for bookings made from November 20 to December 20, 2015. 

Included are breakfast for two, complementary airport pick up or transfer, internet access.  However, the promotion is only available through direct bookings made at central.booking@asiainitiativecorp.com or telephone +855 77 332 168. 

Additional discounts are available when booking rooms at both the Java Wooden Villa and the Bong Thom homestay for the one stay.

Source: Press release

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Six Senses Residences Courchevel opening in the French Alps.

















SKI HAPPY!

December marks the opening of Six Senses Residences Courchevel at the heart of one of the most coveted winter destinations. The renowned hotel and spa group’'s first residential project in Europe, it features 53 beautifully appointed apartments, a Six Senses Spa and an exclusive 24/7 private ski-in-ski-out concierge service to access all that Courchevel has to offer, from private jets to bespoke gourmet ski guiding. The dedicated  ski concierge service will allow guests to ski on and off the piste morning and evening without the need to carry their skis or boots a single step.  A shuttle service will also be provided during the day and evening.

Six Senses Residences include one, two and three bedroom apartments and duplex penthouse suites with private treatment rooms and up to five bedrooms. All interiors have been designed by Alain Foeillet, blending contemporary styles with traditional mountain influences that celebrate the alpine aesthetic. The natural environment provides inspiration by featuring timber walls and robust beams, stone and clay flooring complemented by custom-made furniture and local art.

For the ultimate ski residences, 10 spacious penthouses cover 1,076 square feet (100 square meters)  offering panoramic mountain views, up to five exquisitely appointed bedrooms, specially configured wine cellars and triple aspect balconies overlooking the slopes. Smaller apartments are also available all with balconies, terraces, guest rooms and their own parking spaces, ski lockers and caves. All interiors have been custom designed using carefully selected light materials that give the apartments a warm, comforting atmosphere. For the furnished apartments, the majority of the furniture is also custom-made, ensuring that the end result is like nothing ever seen before.




Six Senses Spa Courchevel will be the perfect place to ease tired muscles after an exhilarating day on the slopes. An open-plan reception and lounge area will welcome residents whilst a range of signature massages, restorative therapies, facials and body treatments will be offered across five dedicated treatment rooms. The spa will also feature an indoor swimming pool, saunas, steam room, a relaxation lounge, a gym and a studio for wellness classes.

Manicure and pedicure stations and a juice bar will be seamlessly incorporated so residents and guests can enjoy complete hands and feet pampering and a good conversation over a glass of healthy juice. Comprehensive tailored wellness experiences will be available, making  the spa a true destination as well as a fun experience. The spa will open to residents and outside guests in the autumn of 2016.

Chief Executive Officer Neil Jacobs of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, said, “We are delighted to be selected to manage Six Senses Residences Courchevel, the first fully-serviced residential development in Courchevel 1850 and our second project in the French Alps.”

Charles Weston-Baker, head of international developments, added, “Not only does Six Senses Courchevel deliver the magic of the having the best address in Europe's most stylish ski resort, but it also provides the logic of a being a sound tax efficient investment that, if required, can more than cover annual running and finance costs from renting it out for part of the year.”

Six Senses Residences Courchevel is located 62 miles (100 kilometers) from the airport of Chambéry and Lyon Saint-Exupéry and accessible via TGV and Eurostar which is a mere 30-minute drive to the town of Moutiers.

Weekly rentals that will include a range of services such as breakfast, daily cleaning, linen and home products will be available from the beginning of December to the end of April, and cost from USD 6150 to USD 40,000 per week.

http://www.sixsenses.com

Source: Press release