Travel Guide to Santa Marta, Colombia

Santa Marta, founded in 1525, is America’s oldest city and the capital city of Magdalena, Columbia. The city, located between the Santa Marta Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, is an important port and a popular tourist destination due to its beaches, nature reserves, history and colonial architecture. It is also known as the sister city of Miami Beach.

What to see / do

• El Rodadero Beach
• Mamancana Natural Reserve
• Museo del Oro – Displaying a collection of precolumbian pottery
• Rodadero Sea Aquarium & Museum
• San Fernando Fort
• Santa Marta Cathedral
• Simon Bolivar's place of death – Beautiful gardens and historic buildings
• Tyrona National Park

Events

• The Festival of the Sea (Las Fiestas del Mar)

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/colombia/santa-marta for more information on Santa Marta, Colombia

The greatest skateboarding competition is coming to South Africa

The greatest skateboarding competition is coming to South Africa
http://umhambi.blogspot.com/2011/08/greatest-skateboarding-competition-is.html

The world's greatest skateboarding event, the Maloof Money Cup, is coming to South Africa and will be will be staged from 29 September to 02 October 2011 in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. 

The  Maloof Money Cup, which was founded by Gavin and Joe Maloof, is the world's largest skateboarding competition in terms of prize money, with more than $450 000 up for grabs in various categories, and will therefore be attracting the world's best professional skateboarders to come to South Africa.

New routes for Comair

New routes for Comair
http://travel.iafrica.com/articles/749062.html

BA/Comair will launch new services from Lanseria to Maputo and Gaborone on 1 September, the first time a plane in BA livery has flown from Lanseria.

Comair, in partnership with Solenta Aviation recently introduced a 66-seater ATR 72-212 turboprop aircraft with the focus of servicing smaller domestic and regional destinations. The second turboprop aircraft, a 48-seater ATR 42-500 will be added to the fleet to operate on the new routes to Maputo and Gaborone.

Travel Guide to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Also known "KL", Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and literally means "muddy estuary". Due to modernization, some parts of the city has changed while other parts of the city is virtually untouched. The effect is the city is offering modern, historical and cultural attractions. The history and culture of the city can still be witnessed in the open markets and Chinese and Hindu temples. Merdeka is a stadium where Malaysian independence was declared on 30 August 1957 by the First Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.

What to see:

• Aquaria
• Merdeka Square
• Sultan Abdul Samad building
• Royal Selangor Club
• St. Mary's Cathedral
• Tugu Negara
• Istana Negara
• Petronas Twin Towers

Events:

• Deepavali (Festival of Lights)
• Chinese New Year
• Malaysia Contemporary Arts Tourism Festival
• Hari Merdeka
• Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival
• Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix
• Malaysian Super Series

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/malaysia/kuala-lumpur for more information on Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Travel Guide to Monaco

Monaco, a city-state or principality, is situated between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. It is the second smallest independent state in the world and the world’s most densely populated independent country, divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville, the Condamine, Monte-Carlo and Fontvieille.

What to see / do

• Aquavision – A catamaran-type boat tour
• Grand Casino
• La Condamine – Watch many luxurious yachts and cruise ships, or visit the Condamine Market and rue Princesse-Caroline mall.
• Monaco-Ville – Walking through this medieval village.
• The Jardin Exotique (Exotic Gardens)
• The Monaco Cathedral – Built in 1875
• The Monaco Opera House or Salle Garnier
• The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium – A world-renowned attraction
• The Palais Princier (Prince's Palace) - Guided tours of the palace with a panoramic view.

Events

• Formula 1 Grand Prix – Monaco’s streets hosts the best known Formula 1 Grand Prix
• International Television Festival Monaco
• Monaco Yacht Show – An annual trade show of yachts and yachting equipment
• Top Marques Monaco – The world’s most exclusive automobile event

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/france/monaco for more information on Monaco

Travel Guide to Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, the capital and largest city of Hungary, is divided into 23 districts. It is home to nearly 2 000 000 inhabitants and has the total territory of about 525 square kilometers. Budapest can almost be divided into two cities, Buda on the Western hilly side and Pest on the Eastern side, the modern commercial core of the city.

What to see / do

• Andrassy Avenue-Opera House & Museums
• Buda Castle
• Castle District
• Central Synagogue
• Chain Bridge
• City Park
• Danube Promenade
• Gresham Palace Art Nouveau Splendor
• Margaret Island
• New York Palace
• St. Stephen’s Basilica and Square
• Thermal Baths
• Vaci Street

Events

• Buda Castle Beer Festival
• Budafest
• Budapest Dance Festival
• Budapest Summer Festival
• Budapest Opera Ball
• Festival of Folk Arts
• Jewish Summer Festival
• JazzForum Budapest
• Septemberfest
• St. Stephen’s Day
• Sziget Festival

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/hungary/budapest for more information on Budapest, Hungary

iPhone app for Star Alliance (including SAA flights)

Star Alliance goes mobile with iPhone app
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2011/03/c8889.html

FRANKFURT, Germany, Aug. 3, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Customers travelling on the Star Alliance network now have access to all Alliance related travel information through their iPhone. The new Navigator app delivers up to the minute information about flights and enables passengers to make informed travel choices. The new app includes:

Flight Status - real time flight status updates with departure and arrivals information and map view
Flight Schedule Search - search for flights right across the Star Alliance member airline network
Airport Information - comprehensive information including maps
Lounges - location and facilities of the more than 970 lounges which eligible Star Alliance customers can access across the globe
City Guides - where to stay, eat, drink, shop, etc.

Commenting on the launch of this new app, Christopher Korenke, Vice President Commercial at Star Alliance said: “The use of mobile technologies is today essential in improving the travel experience for customers. With the rising number of travellers using smartphones, accessing important travel information on the go is essential. With the Star Alliance Navigator we now take the first step in providing what our customers want from us in the field of mobile information.”

The app is the Alliance’s first on the iPhone and is currently available in English as a free download from www.staralliance.com/en/services/apps/iphone/ or from the Apple App store. Further language versions and operating systems are due to be released in the foreseeable future.

(via Instapaper)

Travel Guide to Nottingham, UK

Nottingham, a city in the East Midlands of England, is famed for its connection with the legend Robin Hood. During the Industrial Revolution the city obtained worldwide recognition for its bicycle industries and lace making.

What to see / do

• City of Caves - A network of man-made caves carved out of sandstone
• Lace Market Theatre 
• Lakeside Arts Centre - Also including a small theatre
• Museum of Nottingham Life – Showing the social change over the last 300 years
• National Ice Centre – Go ice skating at the amazing National Ice Centre
• Newstead Abbey – Home of local poet Lord Byron
• Nottingham Castle – A small stately home and museum
• Nottingham Playhouse - One of the largest theaters in Nottingham
• Sherwood Forest Country Park – Ancient royal hunting forest with parks and villages
• Theatre Royal - One of the largest theaters in Nottingham
• The Galleries of Justice – A fascinating look at the sometimes rough justice meted out in the years gone by.

Events

• Nottingham Comedy Festival - Performances by new and well-known comedians
• Nottingham’s Goose Fair - One of Britain’s largest fun-fairs, held for more than 700 years
• Nottingham LGBT Pride – Stages with music and acts, stalls, food and drink areas.
• Robin Hood Festival – Held at the Sherwood Forest Country Park
• Robin Hood Pageant – At Nottingham Castle with jesters, juggling and jousting on horseback
• The Riverside Festivals – Live music, markets and fairs with firework displays.

Visit http://bestflights.co.za/internationalflights/united-kingdom/nottingham for more information on Nottingham, UK