Sunday, January 25, 2015

What makes a holiday in Sydney so worthwhile?

Travelling from London to Sydney? Trust me, this city is very unlikely to let you down.

Think weekends spent by the beach sipping a [insert cocktail of choice here], shopping or simply admiring the views of the city at a restaurant or cafĂ©. When most people think of Australia, they think of Sydney and its two most widely-recognised tourist attractions – the Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House. But there are so many other reasons to visit.

When the sun goes down, things really heat up

You will never be short of inspiration for places to spend your evenings. Harbour, Kings Cross, Oxford Street and the Rocks are just a few of the ‘hip and happening’ hangouts in the city.
For something a little more low-key, delightful restaurants and chillout bars are in plentiful supply too. Dine by the harbor, tuck in to a traditional Australian BBQ lunch or admire the views from a cool rooftop terrace – whatever you fancy, Sydney has it.

Our winter is their summer

When it comes to Australian versus European weather, opposites really do attract. While you’re snuggling by a fire in your wooly jumper at Christmas, Australians are lighting a BBQ on the beach. The warmest weather is generally experienced in the north-west, and the coldest in the Snowy Mountains All in all, there are no complaints about the weather in Sydney.

Thriving arts & culture scene

As a city with strong Aboriginal and European routes, it’s no surprise that Sydney is home to a vast collection of galleries, theatres and museums. From the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Sydney Opera House, to contemporary arts scene of Waterloo and Paddington and Newtown’s cute boutique cinemas.

Public transport is always on time

Not to speak ill of the impressive public transport network in the UK, particularly in London, but if there’s one thing that makes the travelling around Sydnney so much fun, is that the transport actually shows up.

So if you’re looking to get away from the rain-clad days of the UK, make sure you get the best deals on flights from London to Sydney.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Etihad Airways to launch daily service to San Francisco

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will expand its United States network to six destinations with the launch of a San Francisco service on 18 November 2014.

Daily flights will be operated to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) using a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased from its strategic partner Jet Airways, offering a total of eight seats in First Class, 30 seats in Business Class and 308 seats in Economy Class.

In addition to providing a direct connection from San Francisco to Abu Dhabi, the new service offers convenient onward connectivity to more than 30 destinations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Middle East, Africa and the island nations of the Indian Ocean, available through Etihad Airways’ global network and codeshare agreements with partner airlines.

Similarly in the opposite direction, flights to San Francisco will connect to destinations throughout the US, Canada and Mexico.

The forthcoming service to San Francisco will be followed by flights to Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport from 3 December 2014, marking its sixth route within the country.


Located on the west coast of the United States, San Francisco is a leading tourism, culture and business hub. In 2013, a total of 16.9 million people visited the famous ‘City on the Bay’, as San Francisco is often described, with popular attractions including the breath-taking Golden Gate Bridge, the Fisherman’s Wharf marketplace, the abandoned prison on Alcatraz Island, and the large-scale shopping, theatre and restaurant haven of Union Square.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Etihad Airways’ inaugural flight to Yerevan touches down

Etihad Airways’ flight EY298 touched down on schedule at Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport this morning, marking the start of the airline’s new service between Abu Dhabi and the capital of the Republic of Armenia.

Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the cultural, economic and political heart of the country, with a population of more than a million. It’s also the largest city of Armenia and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities - known as the “City of the Sun and Light” and famous for its vibrant nightlife, buzzing arts scene, cafe culture and Mediterranean mind-set.

Etihad will offer flights to Yerevan four-times-per-week at the following times:
Flight No.
Origin
Departs
Destination
Arrives
Frequency
Aircraft
EY298
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
22:30
Yerevan (EVN)
01:55 (+1)
Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun
A320
EY299
Yerevan (EVN)
03:10
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
06:15
Mon, Tue, Thu and Sat
A320
Note: All in local Abu Dhabi time.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Etihad Airways’ daily service to Los Angeles takes flight

Los Angeles is Etihad Airways’ fourth US destination, joining Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. on the airline’s expanding network. This will increase further on 3 December this year with the addition of direct flights to Dallas / Fort Worth.

The Los Angeles service is set to be popular with guests looking to travel to California from other parts of the world. To make life that little bit easier, guests and their checked-in baggage flying from Abu Dhabi are also processed through all US immigration, customs and agriculture inspections, before boarding the aircraft, eliminating the need to do so on arrival in the US.

The aircraft initially serving the new Los Angeles route is a three-cabin, long-range Airbus 340-500 which can accommodate 240 guests with 12 First Class suites, 28 Business Class flatbed seats, and 200 Economy Class seats.

In mid-July, the service will transition to a three-cabin, long-range Boeing 777-200 LR which will be configured with 237 seats, including eight First Class suites, 40 Business Class flatbed seats, and 189 Economy Class seats.

Flight schedule:

Flight #
Departs

Departure
Arrives
Arrival          
Frequency
Duration
EY 171
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
8:50am
Los Angeles (LAX)
2:20pm
Daily
16hr 30 min
EY 170
Los Angeles (LAX)
4:50pm
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
8:10pm +1
Daily
16hr 20 min

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

40 great things to do when in Norway

1. Hike Preikestolen
2. Taste licorice ice cream at Gangstad GĂĄrdsysteri
3. Sleep in a lighthouse
4. Sail the entire coast of Norway on the Hurtigruten
5. Roam through the Vigeland sculpture park in Oslo
6. Fish for your own dinner at Havfruen in Trondheim
7. Climb the longest wooden staircase in the world
8. Watch the midnight sun
9. Visit the world’s largest halibut farm
10. Drive through the world’s longest road tunnel at Laerdal
11. Hunt for trolls along the Trollstigen mountain road
12. Explore the Jugendstil architecture of artsy Ă…lesund
13. Ride the famous FlĂĄm Railway
14. Sunbathe at Bergen’s best beach at Helleneset!
15. Go to Hell! (Hell, Norway)
16. Hike up to the ultra-isolated SkalefllĂĄ farm in Geirangerfjord
17. Drive through the incredibly scenic Gudbrandsdalen
18. Go whalewatching in Andenes
19. Go hiking in Jotunheimen!
20. Ride the ferry through spectacular Lysefjord
21. Party in 24-hour sunlight in the summer
22. Explore Trondheim’s canals and cobblestone alleys by citybike
23. Visit a century-old farm (and taste the bread!) at Gulburet
24. Go clubbing in Oslo and see how hard Norway parties at night
25. Catch the dive show at the Atlantic Ocean Park in Ă…lesund
26. Drink from St. Olaf’s blessed spring (and be healed!) in Valldal
27. Admire the dandelions
28. Visit Holmenkollen, Norway’s iconic ski jump, and the fascinating ski museum
29. Ride a bike all the way down the FlĂĄm valley
30. Visit Undredal stave church, one of the oldest in the country
31. Try the goat cheese chocolates at Fjordnær Geiranger Sjokalade
32. Go white-water rafting in Voss
33. Discover Norway’s Viking history
34. Conquer your fear of heights with a climb up Kjerag
35. Drive from Oslo to Bergen and count the dozens of tunnels you go through
36. Eat reindeer, a local delicacy
37. Attend the ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo
38. Swim in the fjords (not as cold as you think!)
39. See the famous Northern Lights in the winter
40. Ski all year round – after all,  they invented it
41. Take the train and gawk at the landscapes that pass you by

For those of you who would like to explore the many wonderful cities in this country, you can get cheap flights to Norway from almost anywhere in the world. If you’re reading this from the Middle East, Etihad Airways offers regular deals on flights to Abu Dhabi from Norway all year round.


5 top tourist attractions in Denmark

The National Gallery of Denmark


Image source: Visit Copenhagan
The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst) is Denmark’s largest art museum, featuring outstanding collections of Danish and international art from the past seven centuries. Exhibits range from photography and installation art to media and contemporary art.

Tivoli Gardens

Image source: Wikipedia
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the Copenhagen Central Station, Tivoli Gardens is easily accessible and a must-see tourist attraction. A cascading waterfall, open-air film screenings and lots of rides and adventures, Tivoli Gardens is a great place to entertain the little ones. You will also find green areas (ideal for picnics), lakes, fountains and beautiful flowers, for the perfect relaxed afternoon.

The Little Mermaid

What's Denmark's biggest attraction, but also the smallest? The Little Mermaid, of course.
At Langelinje Pier you will find the wonderful bronze and granite sculpture (which turned a century old in August 2013) sitting gracefully.  The Little Mermaid symbolises the fairytale by Danish author and poet Hans Christian Andersen ()which was later a Disney movie) – it’s the story of a young mermaid who fell in love with a prince who lived on land, and often came up to the edge of the water to find  him.

Legoland

Image source: Travel Tour Guide
The original Legoland in Billund (150 miles west of Copenhagen) is one of the best attractions in Denmark for both adults and children. Almost everything is made up of millions and millions of Lego blocks. Ever since it opened its doors to the public in 1968, Legoland has brought endless locals and tourists flocking to its gates to enjoy countless attractions, indoor activities, exhibitions, and new thrill rides – fun for all ages.

The Strøget in Copenhagen

Image source: Copenhagen Portal
Europe's longest shopping street is also one of Denmark's most popular tourist destinations.  As the longest pedestrianised shopping strip in the whole of Europe, you will find everything from designer and high-street clothing brands, jewelry stores, souvenirs. If you don’t fancy shopping, Strøget is also a great place to grab a coffee or a spot lunch.

Once you arrive, enjoy the best of Denmark by coach, rail, boat or foot for fabulous tours of the cities.  For flights, check out Etihad Airways, flying daily from Abu Dhabi to Denmark.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Etihad Airways boosts flights to Beirut and Amman

If you’re planning a trip to Lebanon or Jordan this summer, you’re in luck. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has announced its plans to increase flights to Beirut and Amman from 18 flights per week to triple daily schedules from July 2, 2014.

The additional flights will add over 800 seats per week between Abu Dhabi and the two major cities, which include 16 Pearl Business Class seats and 120 Coral Economy Class seats.

Etihad Airways started its operations to Beirut in November 2003, the airline’s first commercial route followed by services to the Jordanian capital Amman in December 2003 and has carried 2.1 million travellers since then on both routes.

New Amman Schedule

Flight number
Origin
Departs
Destination
Arrives
Frequency
Aircraft
EY 513
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
8:15
Amman (AMM)
10:25
Daily
A320
EY 514
Amman (AMM)
11:10
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
15:10
Daily
A320
EY515
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
13:15
Amman (AMM)
15:25
Daily
A320
EY516
Amman (AMM)
16:20
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
20:20
Daily
A320
EY511
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
0.5
Amman (AMM)
3:00
Daily
A320
EY512
Amman (AMM)
3:45
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
7:45
Daily
A320

New Beirut Schedule


Flight number
Origin
Departs
Destination
Arrives
Frequency
Aircraft
EY 533
Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Beirut (BEY)
3:50
Daily
A320
EY534
Beirut (BEY)
4:35
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
9:25
Daily
A320
EY537
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
11:25
Beirut (BEY)
14:35
Daily
A320
EY538
Beirut (BEY)
15:20
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
20:10
Daily
A320
EY535
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
8:00
Beirut(BEY)
11:10
Daily
A320
EY536
Beirut(BEY)
11:55
Abu Dhabi (AUH)
16:45
Daily
A320

Note: All in UAE local time