Pandemic fuels travel boom in virtual reality

Jem Jenkins Jones was stuck at home in Wales for much of the past year amid pandemic lockdowns but managed to fulfill a promise to her 10-year-old daughter to see the northern lights from Iceland and South Africa's game reserves -- in virtual reality.

"She was amazed," she said, calling the VR travel experiences "a lifesaver for us."

Strict lockdowns and travel limitations during the pandemic have sparked fresh interest in immersive virtual travel experiences, which have become more accessible and affordable with new apps and VR hardware.

Even those confined to their homes can take a virtual jaunt to Machu Picchu, the rainforests of Borneo or a road trip across the United States in a convertible.

Data on VR travel usage is limited but developers have seen surging interest since the pandemic hit.

"It has been skyrocketing," said Cezara Windrem, creator of the Alcove VR platform at AARP Innovation Labs. "We're getting more adoption every month."

Alcove enables users to visit exotic locales such as Australia's coral reef or the island of Malta, while adding a "shared" experience which enables people to interact and even "lead" a family member without the technical skills to navigate in a VR headset.

"We’ve heard from a lot of people who discovered Alcove and decided buy a headset for their elderly family members," Windrem said. 

This allows for shared travel even during a lockdown and other kinds of experiences such as "playing chess with someone on the other side of the planet."

- Travel substitute, complement -

With the tourism industry largely obliterated by the coronavirus outbreak, virtual reality has emerged as both a substitute for real-world travel and a complement to help people plan their next trip.

App developers have created a range of travel experiences: touring the pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, the savannahs of Kenya or the Antarctic from a kayak. These come from commercial operators or organizations such as National Geographic or World Wildlife Fund.

Users can opt for hardware from Facebook's Oculus, Sony's PlayStation or the inexpensive Google Cardboard, among others. Some gear costs as little as $300 and many apps are free.

"I have traveled every week since the pandemic, from the comfort of my home," said Rafael Cortes, a San Antonio computer professional who uses Alcove and YouTube VR.

"I've been to London, the glass bridge in China, Angel Falls in Venezuela, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, a helicopter tour of New York."

Amy Erdt lives in Portland, Oregon, but with VR, "I like to walk around my sister’s town in Wallingford, England, occasionally because I can’t be there."

Erdt, who administers a Facebook group of VR users, said there are "some great travel experiences" in virtual reality, which can be remarkably realistic.

"I once sat at VR poker table at 1 am with a guy in Australia who was eating KFC (chicken), she said. "I could hear his KFC crunch. It was a trip."

- Gaming and beyond -

Virtual reality's most popular applications are in gaming and fantasy worlds, but travel is seen as a new growth vector.

"During the pandemic when everyone is socially isolated it may seem strange to isolate yourself further to transport yourself somewhere else but it does allow us to experience things we can’t experience today," said Avi Greengart, analyst with the consultancy Techsponential.

Greengart said VR travel has some advantages but can't be compared with the real thing.

"With VR travel you're not getting the food unique to the area, you're missing a lot of the sensory experiences and serendipitous meetings with locals," he said.

On the other hand, "you can browse a museum and have it all to yourself," which may be impossible in the physical world.

A report by research firm GlobalData shows that virtual and augmented reality had already been gaining momentum from travel operators and tourism boards before the pandemic to enable people to get a taste of a destination before going there.

GlobalData analyst Ralph Hollister said the pandemic may be giving the sector a lift that will endure even after the pandemic.

"Spending considerably more time indoors with an abundance of spare time, combined with an urge to travel, has meant that aspiring travelers have been turning to VR to fill a void that travel restrictions have left," Hollister said.

Hollister said he sees VR becoming an important part of the process of travelers viewing and selecting a travel destination.

"The widespread adoption of VR for this kind of purpose could be the next step for this technology and help it permanently move away from its ‘gimmick’ label,” he said.

Agence France-Presse

Thermometers in hand, Dubai opens for tourists amid pandemic

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — From French soccer jerseys to slick online campaigns, Dubai is trumpeting the fact that it reopened for tourism on Tuesday — but what that means for this sheikhdom that relies on the dollars, pounds, rupees and yuan spent by travelers remains in question.

With travel uncertain and the coronavirus still striking nations Dubai relies on for tourists, this city-state wants to begin coaxing people back to its beaches and its cavernous shopping malls. By instilling the idea that Dubai is safe, authorities likely hope to fuel interest in the sheikhdom ahead of its crucial winter months for tourism.


Emirates to put this one-time pearling post on the map. Attractions like the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and the sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab luxury hotel draw transit passengers out of Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel.

In 2019 alone, Dubai welcomed 16.7 million international guests, up from 15.9 million the year before, according to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. The top seven tourist-sending nations were India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Oman, China, Russia and the U.S. The city’s 741 hotels saw around 75% occupancy for the year, with visitors staying on average 3½ days.

Those travelers also fuel Dubai’s vast restaurant, bar and nightlife scene. Though drinking is illegal in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah and the nations of Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, alcohol sales remain a crucial part of Dubai’s economy.

But even before the pandemic, lower global energy prices, a 30% drop in the city’s real estate market value and trade war fears have led employers to shed staff. The virus outbreak accelerated those losses, especially as Dubai has postponed its Expo 2020, or world’s fair, to next year over the pandemic.

That makes reopening for tourism that much more important, even though Dubai’s top three tourist-feeding countries remain hard-hit by the virus, said Rabia Yasmeen, a consultant at the market-research firm Euromonitor International. Even retail sales are affected by tourism, with some 35% of all revenue coming from tourists, she said.

“It’s good for them to go ahead and announce because there needs to be a call for the confidence to come back,” Yasmeen said. “Someone has to take that step first to show the world.”

And Dubai has, in typical headline-baiting fashion, taken those steps. French football club Olympique Lyonnais, under a sponsorship with Emirates, wore “Dubai Is Open” jerseys at a recent match. Dubai passport controllers have begun putting stickers on foreigners’ passports reading in English and Arabic: “A warm welcome to your second home.”

But there’s a risk, particularly in allowing more travel as the virus stalks other countries. Emirates stopped flying to Pakistan over virus fears. Across the seven sheikhdoms that form the United Arab Emirates, there have been over 50,000 confirmed cases of the virus among the 9 million people living here, with some 40,000 recoveries and 321 deaths.

At Rove Hotels, a new budget chain run by state-linked firms Emaar and Meraas, thermometer-carrying staffers check the temperature of everyone coming inside. Cleaners fog disinfectants over rooms and wipe down tables and chairs. Even a camel statue and an oversized stuffed animal wore a mask. The chain, like others in Dubai, also has sought outside certification over its cleaning routines on top of fulfilling government regulations.

“It’s kind of the icing on the cake to give people comfort that we’re following those standards,” Bridger said.

There are still risks. In order to travel, tourists must take a COVID-19 test within 96 hours of their flight and show the airline a negative result. Otherwise, they will be tested on arrival and required to isolate while awaiting the results, which travelers say typically takes a few hours.

Travelers must also have health insurance covering COVID-19 or sign a declaration agreeing to cover the costs of treatment and isolation.

“A key question comes in: Is the traveler ready to come to Dubai?” Yasmeen asked. “That’s a big question mark.”

___

Associated Press writer Fay Abuelgasim in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

AP

Irish airline Ryanair cuts up to 3,000 jobs over virus

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair said on Friday it planned to axe 3,000 pilot and cabin crew jobs, or 15 percent of staff, with air transport paralysed by coronavirus.

Dublin-based Ryanair added in a statement that most of its flights would remain grounded until at least July and predicted it would take until summer 2022 at the earliest before passenger demand recovers.

The airline now expects to operate less than one percent of its scheduled flights in April, May and June.

"The Ryanair Airlines will shortly notify their trade unions about its restructuring and job loss program, which will commence from July 2020," the group said in a statement.

"These plans will be subject to consultation but will affect all Ryanair Airlines, and may result in the loss of up to 3,000 mainly pilot and cabin crew jobs, unpaid leave, and pay cuts of up to 20 percent, and the closure of a number of aircraft bases across Europe until traffic recovers."

The cost-cutting measures at the airline, which employs 18,000 staff worldwide, will be implemented "as a direct result of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis", it added.

Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has meanwhile agreed to extend his 50-percent pay cut for the remainder of the financial year to March 2021.

"Today we are announcing cuts of just over 15 percent, of which we have to lose regrettably about 3,000 mainly pilots and cabin crew over the next three to four months," O'Leary told Bloomberg TV.

"That's because this year we are now facing carrying less than a 100 million passengers against an original budget of 154 million passengers... The situation is grim."

"We expect to be allowed by the European governments to go back in July or from July onwards. What we are facing now is a historic decline in air traffic in Europe for the next 12-18 months."

Agence France-Presse

Devastated Venice braced for third major flood

Venice was braced Saturday for an unprecednted third major flooding in less than a week, with sea water due to swamp the already devastated historic city where authorities have declared a state of emergency.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro ordered the iconic St Mark’s Square closed on Friday as the latest sea surge struck with strong storms and winds battering the region.

After a brief respite on Saturday, the city forecast a high water of 160 centimetres (over five feet) for just after midday on Sunday, lower than Tuesday’s high of 187 centimetres but still dangerous.

Churches, shops and homes in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been inundated by unusually intense “acqua alta”, or high water, which on Tuesday hit its highest level in half a century.

“We’ve destroyed Venice, we’re talking about one billion (euros) in damage,” Brugnaro said after the second major flooding of around 160 centimetres hit on Friday.

The Italian football team travelled to Venice on Saturday to show solidarity with the stricken city.

“On behalf of the whole team, we stand close to the city of Venice,” said Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Italian football federation delegation visited several businesses damaged by the flooding, and chatted with Venetians, volunteers and police.

“Venice will overcome this too. Like an athlete who suffers a serious injury and then gets up again,” said delegation chief and former Azzurri international Gianluca Vialli.


The crisis has prompted the government to release 20 million euros ($22 million) in funds to tackle the devastation.

Surveying the damage, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini warned the task of repairing the city would be huge. More than 50 churches had suffered damage, he said.

Hotel reservations cancelled

Residents whose houses have been hit are eligible for up to 5,000 euros in immediate government aid, while restaurant and shop owners can receive up to 20,000 euros and apply for more later.

Most of the city’s cash machines were no longer working because of the water, making life even more difficult for tourists and Venetians.

Despite being used to the inconvenience of their city’s rising waters, some inhabitants expressed frustration.

“All the stock in the basement is lost,” lamented Luciano, a worker at a shop along St. Mark’s Square.

He said he remembered well the infamous “acqua alta” of 1966, when the water rose to a level of 1.94 metres, the highest since records began in 1923.

“These so frequent high waters have never happened before…this time there’s so much more damage than in the past,” he said.

Hotels reported cancelled reservations, some as far ahead as December, following the widespread diffusion of images of Venice underwater.

Tuesday’s high waters submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said.

Many, including Venice’s mayor, have blamed the disaster on global warming and warned that the country prone to natural disasters must wake up to the risks posed by ever more volatile seasons.

The Serenissima, as the floating city is called, is home to 50,000 residents but receives 36 million visitors each year.

A massive infrastructure project called MOSE has been under way since 2003 to protect the city, but it has been plagued by cost overruns, corruption scandals and delays.

The speaker of Italy’s Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, visited Venice on Saturday and called for the MOSE project to be completed.

“Once the emergency is over, the light on Venice should not go out,” Italian media reported.

“Venice needs attention. Now is the time to do it and if the MOSE serves as it should to avoid such disasters, then it must be finished.”

cjo/har

Agence France-Presse

FIBA will look to ease travel burdens at 2023 World Cup

BEIJING — FIBA will look at adjusting travel demands on teams at the next World Cup, after this tournament in China led to many complaints about the distances that nations participating in the knockout stages had to cover without much time to prepare for games.

Some teams faced major travel challenges at the tournament’s most crucial time. And multiple nations argued that the semifinal-game winners — Spain and Argentina — benefited from having two days off before those matchups, while semifinal losers Australia and France had only one day.

FIBA contended that playing a tournament-record 92 games in 16 days across eight cities meant some logistical headaches were inevitable. And with the next World Cup in 2023 set to be spread out over three countries — Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines — more challenges are likely then as well.

“After having experienced it, on paper sometimes it looks perfect,” FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said. “Then you see the imperfect aspects of it. These are the things we’re ready to improve in the future.”

Serbia coach Sasha Djordjevic, who resigned from his national team on Saturday, said the rest factor should be equal going forward. He also thought cramming so many games into such a short time span affected the quality of play as the tournament went along.

“Give the same conditions to all the competitors to have the same rest days, the same conditions to compete,” Djordjevic said. “After 15 days of games and games and game, and back to back … you need that rest to give your best basketball.”


In other matters addressed by Zagklis on Sunday:

USA STRUGGLE

Zagklis was asked his reaction to many top NBA players not making the trip to China for the World Cup, which is one of the reasons why the U.S. — which had won the last two titles at the event — finished only seventh in China, its lowest finish ever at a World Cup or Olympic event.

“It’s not our job to put together the roster of any of the 32 teams,” Zagklis said. “We set the stage, the conditions for all the teams and then each national federation has its own way of approaching the players and having them commit to play for the national team.”

Zagklis also said many nations, with the exception of the U.S. and Canada, brought most of their top NBA players.


BOGUT PROBE

Australia center Andrew Bogut complained loudly and profanely after his team’s semifinal loss to Spain, calling FIBA a “disgrace” and alleging that a call late in regulation against the Boomers cheated them of a spot in the gold-medal game.

Australia lost to Spain in double overtime. Bogut played in Sunday’s bronze-medal game, which Australia lost to France, but FIBA will still complete an inquiry into what he said and may take disciplinary action.

“We do have a very specific set of regulations and a set of principles,” Zagklis said. “Where these lines are crossed, we have a disciplinary procedure and in this case there will be a disciplinary procedure.”

OLYMPIC QUALIFYING

There will be 24 teams competing next year for the last four available spots in the men’s basketball tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The U.S., Spain, France, Argentina, Nigeria, Iran, Australia and the host Japanese have already grabbed eight of the 12 slots in the field.

Zagklis said FIBA doesn’t plan to take long before announcing dates and sites for the four six-team tournaments that will decide those spots. The winner of each of those tournaments qualify for Tokyo.

Interested nations will have the right to bid to host one of the qualifiers, and will have to pay a hosting fee if selected.

Zagklis said the tournaments will take place on multiple continents, since both FIBA and the International Olympic Committee want the game exposed to as many parts of the world as possible.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Sri Lanka named Asia’s leading destination for 2017

Adventure-seekers and intrepid globetrotters looking to blaze new trails in Southeast Asia will want to consider adding Sri Lanka to their travel bucket list, after the country claimed the title of leading destination and leading adventure tourism destination for Asia over the weekend.

At the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia 2017, held in Shanghai, Sri Lanka took the title of leading destination for the region, an award that reflects a country’s range of tourism products and services. The country was also named the leading adventure tourism destination.

Winners are based on an online voting process cast by industry leaders and travel professionals.

Sri Lanka has been emerging as an interesting travel alternative to Thailand, for its beaches, wildlife safaris and adventure tours. Along with its native land mammals (elephants, leopards and wild buffalos), the island’s marine surroundings make the destination one of the best for whale and dolphin watching.

Sri Lanka is also known among thrill-seekers for offering top-notch surfing and diving experiences, jungle treks, hikes and elephant-riding and rock-climbing adventures.

Other big winners of the night include The Oberoi Udaivilas in India, which took home the title of Asia’s leading hotel 2017 and The Peninsula Hong Kong, which was named Asia’s leading luxury hotel 2017.

For Australasia, the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park in Australia was named the leading hotel, and Yasawa Islands in Fiji Australasia’s leading destination.

Here are some of the big winners from the gala event:

Asia
Leading airline: Hainan Airlines
Leading airline economy class: Cathay Pacific
Leading beach destination: Thailand
Leading boutique hotel: Casa Del Mar Langkawi, Malaysia
Leading city break destination: Hong Kong
Leading cruise line: Star Cruises
Leading fine dining and hotel restaurant: La Maison 1888 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
Leading low-cost airline: AirAsia

Australasia
Leading airline: Air New Zealand
Leading private island resort: Laucala Island, Fiji
Most romantic resort: The Remort Resort, Fiji Islands

JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Four travel destinations inspired by 2017 Oscar nominees

From Los Angeles in the United States with Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land”, to Kolkata, India with Garth Davis’ “Lion”, this year’s Oscar nominees give travel-hungry moviegoers a taste of all kinds of global destinations. Here’s a look at some of the locations where this year’s Best Picture nominees were filmed.

“Lion” directed by Garth Davis
Kolkata, India

This true story of a young Indian boy fostered by an Australian couple treats viewers to landscapes in India and Australia. While the Tasmanian capital, Hobart, and Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, are good options for a trip to Australia, the child’s search for identity also takes moviegoers to the heart of authentic, rural India, on location in the city of Kolkata. Visitors can take in the local architecture, stroll over Howrah Bridge (crossed by millions of Indians every day) and admire the reflection of the trees in the water surrounding Victoria Memorial.

“La La Land” directed by Damien Chazelle
Los Angeles, California, U.S.

This Oscar favorite, with no less than 14 nominations, pays homage to Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and 1950s with a romantic tale that takes viewers on tour of Los Angeles. The movie was filmed at no less than 40 different locations in the City of Angels. One iconic setting, seen on the movie poster, shows a spectacular view over the San Fernando Valley. Scenes were also filmed at The Lighthouse Cafe, a club where legendary artists such as Miles Davis previously performed. Note that this nightclub is no longer a jazz club, and now plays salsa, reggae and country music. The Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park is also a must for visitors following in the footsteps of Mia and Sebastian. In addition to must-visit L.A. filming locations, visitors to the city can enjoy a trip to Universal Studios, a stroll along Hollywood Boulevard and a trip to Beverly Hills.

“Manchester by the Sea” directed by Kenneth Lonergan
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, U.S.

The American town that lends its name to this feature film is like a character in its own right in the movie’s narrative. However, the film’s main scenes were filmed a few miles away in Cape Ann. Still, moviegoers can be assured that some movie scenes were also filmed in Manchester-by-the-Sea, as well as Gloucester, Essex, Rockport and Beverley. The nearest major U.S. city is Boston, an hour’s drive away. A trip to this former colonial city should include a stroll around the stylish neighborhood of Beacon Hill, plus some chill-out time in the U.S.’s oldest public park, Boston Common. Other sights include Trinity Church and a student-led tour of Harvard.

“Hacksaw Ridge” directed by Mel Gibson
Sydney, Australia                                                                                                              
The historical war movie directed by Mel Gibson was filmed in the region of Sydney, New South Wales, where the battlefields of the Second World War were recreated. In fact, the production team set up in Goulburn, around 121 miles southwest of the stunning Australian city, famous for its iconic opera house. Scenes were also filmed in Bringelly and Richmond on the outskirts of Sydney. For a first trip to the Australian city, must-visits include The Rocks, a historic part of town previously inhabited by the first British settlers. Head to the Central Business District to visit the Sydney Opera House, Hyde Park and the Sydney Tower Eye for 360-degree views over the city. JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

PAL London flights showcase of PH pride at WTM

The return of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to London starting November 4 will be the centerpiece of the country’s participation at the World Travel Market (WTM), the biggest global event for the travel industry which opens on the same day PAL arrives at the British capital.

The resumption of non-stop flights to the United Kingdom will serve as the main focus of tourism promotions by the Philippines under the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign at this year’s WTM to be held from Nov. 4 to 7.

PAL will share the 300-square-meter Philippine pavilion with 40 other Philippine exhibitors, including the DoT, at WTM 2013 where almost 5,000 exhibitors from 184 countries are expected to generate more than GBP1,859 million in travel industry deals.

According to Susan del Mundo of DoT’s Tourism Promotions Board, “This is the biggest Philippine participation since joining WTM back in 1980 or any travel fair worldwide. A total of 90 DoT officials led by Sec. Ramon Jimenez will be at WTM.”

Buyers and sellers from every sector of the travel industry around the world converge at WTM, London’s biggest annual travel event attracting more than 47,000 global travel professionals.

PAL President Ramon S. Ang said: “In the first six months of 2013 alone, we had more than 60,000 arrivals from Britain.  This elevated the UK to the Philippines’ top ten visitor markets for the first time – the only European nation on the list. With PAL’s new non-stop flights, we are sure those numbers will increase further.”

The DoT had predicted a 65% increase in European visitors to about 575,000 this year alone and the doubling of current arrivals to around 700,000 in the coming year.

“It is not just tourists who stand to benefit but more importantly our 664,000 Filipino *kababayans* in Europe, particularly the 250,000 living in the U.K., who will now be able to return home more often via the airline that knows them best,” Mr. Ang said.

He will lead a delegation of top PAL and government officials on the inaugural flight including the British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad. Upon arrival at London’s Heathrow airport in the afternoon of Nov. 4, Philippine Ambassador to the UK Enrique Manalo will be welcoming the inaugural flight passengers.

From the airport, some PAL executives will proceed to the PAL booth at WTM.

The five-times-a-week service to London will use PAL’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft which features one of the most spacious cabin equipped with modern inflight amenities.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

10 ways to enjoy Russia

To the intrepid traveler in search of exotic sites and adventures, Russia is the perfect starting point for the trip of a lifetime.

Aside from being the largest country in the world, spanning two continents and covering 1/7 of the earth’s total land area, Russia is also home to some of the most awe-inspiring natural and manmade wonders on the planet. (Some of the most widely televised events in the world will be held there, such as the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow in November and the July 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.)



If the mere thought of navigating your way through this vast territory overwhelms you, fear not. Here are some must-sees and dos to get you started.


Moscow

1. Get to know Russia’s rich and colorful past in Moscow. Start at the Kremlin and get to know the seat of Russian political power. Inhabited since the 2nd century BC and known as a kremlin (“fortress”) beginning 1331, here is where you’ll see five palaces, four cathedrals, as well as the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation. The Moscow Kremlin is also home to what the Unesco describes as “religious monuments of exceptional beauty,” such as the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of the Archangel, as well as the Senate and the historic Red Square.

Another interesting tidbit about Moscow: It is home to the largest number of billionaires in any other city in the world—beating New York by a handful of ultra-rich citizens. If you’d like to get more than the usual taste of glitz and glamour, Moscow is the place to be in.

St. Petersburg

2. Feel like a tsar in St. Petersburg. Approximately 400 miles from Moscow and only 90 minutes via a nonstop flight on Aeroflot, St. Petersburg is home to some of the most stunning palaces in the world. Peterhof (Petrodvorets) is a complex of palaces and gardens commissioned by Peter the Great in the early 1700s, and is known as the “Russian Versailles.” It is recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site, with some famous attractions such as the Grand Palace and the fountain complex known as the Grand Cascade.

Perhaps even grander than Peterhof is the Tsarkoe Selo (Pushkin), which was built by the Romanov tsars in the 18th century and is known to be a symbol of Russian opulence and extravagance. But more displays of grandeur abound in St. Petersburg.

Golden Ring

3. Take a tour around the “Golden Ring,” and explore Russia’s spiritual side. The Golden Ring is a cluster of cities toward the northeast of Moscow, which has become popular with tourists for its many churches, monasteries, and a taste of the Russian pastoral life.

The closest stop would be Sergiev Posad (approximately 83 miles from Moscow), home of the ancient monastery founded by Sergey Radonezhskiy, a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church.

For a more rustic feel, head out to Suzdal (approximately 134 miles and four hours by land from Moscow), and find yourself surrounded by 12th- to 13th-century churches and monasteries. While there, make sure to try medovukha, a light alcoholic drink made from honey.

Lake Baikal

4. If you think Russia is all pomp and overindulgence, head over to Lake Baikal in southeastern Siberia (six hours by plane from Moscow to Irkutsk) for a more down-to-earth experience with Mother Nature’s glory. A place of many superlatives, Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest lake (25 million years old) and also its deepest (1,700 meters deep). It is also the world’s largest unfrozen freshwater reserve and is home to some of the world’s richest freshwater faunas, cited by the Unesco for its “exceptional value to evolutionary science.”

Vodka

5. Indulge in vodka, one of the world’s most popular drinks. No trip is complete without sampling a country’s cuisine, but no trip to Russia would be authentic without a sip (or a glass, or more) of vodka. First produced over 600 years ago, vodka is made by distilling grains such as rye, wheat and barley, and then filtering the liquid with birch charcoal.

Its long and fascinating history has survived the Prohibition era, and it has likewise been instrumental to the wealth and the power of the Russian state.

For a closer look at how vodka is made, take a tour at Cristall, Russia’s largest vodka distillery, located in Moscow.

Art and culture

6. Immerse yourself in fine art and high culture—all in St. Petersburg. The Russians certainly love culture, as seen in more than 2,000 libraries and more than 200 museums and galleries that have been established in St. Petersburg alone.

One of the world’s largest museums, the State Hermitage Museum houses more than three million items and is known for its grand art collection.

For something more intimate and quaint, head over to the (Fyodor) Dostoyevsky Memorial Apartment Museum, where the “Crime and Punishment” author resided during the last three years of his life. Aside from a reconstruction of the Dostoyevsky family home, the museum also houses art exhibits and a small theater for conferences, poetry readings and performances.

Russian ballet

7. Fall in love with (or at!) the Russian ballet. Although ballet was really a French import, the Westernization program of Peter the Great and the establishment of St. Petersburg’s Imperial School of Ballet paved the way, centuries later, for the careers of such important names as Anna Pavlova, Mikhail Foskine and Nijinsky.

Today, one of the most prestigious dance companies is the Bolshoi Ballet, housed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Several well-loved productions are lined up this October, including “Swan Lake,” “Don Quixote” and “Spartacus.” (Visit www.bolshoi.ru/en/)


Matryoshka dolls

8. Take home a set of matryoshka dolls. Perhaps the most iconic of Russian souvenir items is the matryoshka or the babushka dolls, nesting dolls that were first introduced at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. Usually made of linden or birch, and then hand-painted, matryoshka dolls became globally popular in the 20th century and were manufactured in Sergiev Posad and Semenov, outside Moscow.

Today, the best place to find a wide variety of gift items is in Izmaylovo Market, Moscow. Before heading out there, remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as your shopping trip could easily last the whole day.

Moscow Metro

9. Travel like a local, in style. One of the most magnificent contributions of the Stalin era is Moscow’s opulent metro system, with stations built as “people’s palaces.” Constructed in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro was built by some of Russia’s best architects and artists, and featured fine examples of different architectural styles, iconography, art.

One of the more popular stations is Mayakovskaya, featuring a sky-theme Art Deco mosaic by Alexander Deineka. If you intend to check out each station, give yourself a few days as there are now over 170 stations in all.

Traveling around Russia

10. Tour the vast expanse of Russia. You may want to try Aeroflot, which flies to 28 destinations there. It is also practical to take as it offers connections to other local cities.  (Contact its Philippine ticketing office at 7592191 and 7592192; or e-mail

info@aeroflot.ph)

There is truly much more to Russia than meets the eye, and it offers many unforgettable experiences to those who open themselves up to its charms. Although it may seem like a world away to many Filipinos, in truth, Russia is much closer and more accessible than many of us think. With a bit of research and planning, a few tips from the experts, and a lot of gumption for adventure and exotic cultures, the trip of your dreams could be just a plane ride away.


source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

KLM is here to stay

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is leaving no stone unturned to attract more passengers to Europe, from a growing Southeast Asian market.

It was the last airline to fly nonstop from Amsterdam to Manila, and vice versa.

How is it gearing up for a good passenger traffic to Europe? By refurbishing its fleet, its business class, among other moves.

KLM has been flying to Manila for the past 61 years. From 2004 until last year, it was the only airline offering nonstop flights between Europe and the Philippines. But because of high Philippine taxes, the airlines had to discontinue the service, said Jurriaan Stelder, KLM’s general manager for South China Sea.

It now flies from Manila to Amsterdam via Taipei, and back.

High fuel prices have also reduced the profitability of long-haul routes. Even KLM—the largest airline in Europe after it partnered with Air France in 2004—was hit hard.

The partnership between the two airlines has a network of 24 destinations and offers more than 200 weekly flights between Asia and Europe.

Low-cost carriers

However, even such a thriving partnership is affected by the growing market share of low-cost carriers.

“Today, one out of four passengers in Asia is traveling low cost,” said Stelder. “Air France KLM is cooperating where necessary with low-cost carriers like Jetstar.”

KLM, unlike Air France, still flies daily to Manila from Amsterdam, but with an intermediate stop in Taipei. It won’t abandon the route anytime soon.




It has announced moves to face stiffer competition in the growing Southeast Asian market.

With the Philippine government’s removal of the common carriers tax earlier this year, a considerable burden on the airline has been lifted, making it more attractive for KLM to grow again in the Philippines.

“Unfortunately, the current economic climate in Europe does not yet allow a return to nonstop operation within a short period,” Stelder said through e-mail. “In the meantime, KLM is on a path of increasing seat capacity on the route.”

Sense of dread  


While some European airlines are viewing the steady expansion of Middle Eastern airlines to Asia and Europe with a sense of dread, KLM is confident that its “excellent prices and competitive service” will help it prevail and maintain its position in the market.

Apart from offering reliable and efficient ground and flight operations, including excellent on-board service such as catering and in-flight entertainment, KLM has one advantage over its competitors. “We provide passengers convenient connecting possibilities to other destinations in Europe and beyond via Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport, undoubtedly one of the best airports in the world,” said Stelder.

“KLM is making it more attractive to fly to Europe by offering a free stopover in Amsterdam, he added. “This will give our customers the opportunity to visit Amsterdam and see the beauty and hospitality this historic city has to offer.”

But since most of the long-haul traveler’s time is spent airborne, KLM is beefing up and refurbishing its fleet to make flying convenient and pleasurable. Today’s travel isn’t just about getting from point A to B safely and on time. It’s now all about traveling in style—which airlines like KLM take into consideration.

It has teamed up with top Dutch designer Hella Jongerius to create a new atmosphere—from furnishings to minute flourishes—in the World Business Class.

“The new design’s guiding principle is to ensure that passengers feel at home,” said Stelder. “That involves a transition from a business-like look to greater sense of being at home. This has been achieved by using a characteristically warm color palette, more sustainable materials and by enhancing personal comfort.”

The World Business Class’ new full-flat seat can be reclined so the passenger can lie down completely to sleep. The seat and the partition between TV screens ensure greater privacy. There are also more storage compartments beside the passengers and under TV screens.

Expanding its fleet, KLM got its 12th Airbus 330-200 last April. Its arrival, said Stelder, marks another step in the airline’s thrust to modernize its fleet.

“Even in challenging times, KLM continues to invest in cleaner, quieter aircraft in its drive to guarantee customers optimal service,” he said.

“With the arrival of this latest aircraft, KLM’s A330 fleet now counts 16 aircraft: 12 Airbus A330-200s and four Airbus A330-300s.”

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

The bed and pillows offer a good sleep

Everyone deserves comfort without having to spend a small fortune on hotels when traveling out of town.

When Robinsons Land Corp. launched Go Hotels, its version of the budget-hotel concept, we were curious to check out its first branch in Mandaluyong City. But we never got to do it, until recently when the opportunity came up to visit the new Go Hotels branch in Tacloban, Leyte.

It is conveniently located in the Robinsons Place Tacloban Mall Annex on the Tabuan National Highway in Marasbaras, near downtown and 10-15 minutes’ drive from the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.

Windsor bed

The marketing pitch for the Go Hotels chain is quite attractive, giving people eight reasons why it’s good to stay there—“Windsor bed, LCD cable TV, super shower, free WiFi, safe and secure, transport access, fun vibe, service plus.”

We weren’t sure what was so special about the Windsor bed, until we plunked down on the night we arrived. The bed was soft yet didn’t sag; the big difference was the “chiropractic” pillows, designed to follow the contours of the head. We had a good sleep without having to toss and turn.

There are two types of air-conditioned rooms, the Twin and the Queen. The one assigned to us, the Queen, was small at 17 sq m, which allowed only minimal movement like going to the bathroom and sitting on or lying in bed to watch TV. There’s not even space for a table, although there’s a foldable one attached to the wall separating the bathroom and the bedroom, just enough for us to use our laptop while sitting on the bed.

But at a price of less than P2,000 for an overnight stay—with periodic room sales going for as low as P488—it’s a steal.

The room comes with two bath towels, foot towels, tissue paper, single-use soap, shampoo and conditioner. Other necessities are available for a fee. The complimentary hygiene kit given to us had a toothbrush, toothpaste, ear buds and a disposable shaving razor, which unfortunately was of inferior quality because it could barely shave off our two-day-old stubble.

But it’s really no problem since one can just buy all those essentials, including bottled water, in the mall’s supermarket.

 Mayor drops in

There’s no free breakfast, but there are set meals one can order from The Gustavian restaurant in the mall. Another restaurant, Cocina Don Vicente, offers a daily buffet for about P350; that’s where we had dinner on our first night and it sure was yummy and filling, especially Tacloban’s seafood fare.

Reelected Tacloban mayor Alfred Romualdez dropped in and joined us for dinner; he intimated some problems he’s been having with the Department of Tourism which, he said, were hampering efforts of local businessmen to further spur the growth of tourism in the city and the province.

Coconut wine

For the first time we had a taste of native coconut wine, or tuba, but this one was packaged in three classy varieties: Dry Red, Sweet Red and Sweet White. It carried the label Vacal Vino de Coco, founded by Filipino-American George Vacal Paraliza and his wife Tila Paraliza. The Dry Red could rival the quality of most foreign wines.

On a visit to the couple’s wine factory near Go Hotels, we learned of the health benefits that could be gained from moderate drinking of coconut wine. George and Tila are so upbeat about their products’ attributes that they envision coconut wine to eventually become the country’s national drink.



Patio Victoria

We also spent several hours at Patio Victoria, the beach resort owned by the mayor, a short drive from Go Hotels. We didn’t expect a Boracay, but the Patio Victoria beach—like most others in the country—gave momentary respite for Manila rats like us, who pine for fresh wind and the sound of crashing sea waves on a hot day.

The next time we go to Leyte, we’ll try to find Tangkaan Beach which, according to news accounts, could indeed be compared to Boracay.

On our second night, dinner at Ocho Restaurant on Sen. Enage Street in Tacloban consisted of more seafood and, to our delight, fresh greens from its salad bar. There was no coconut wine, so we settled for San Miguel Light beer.

It was still early for bedtime, so our hosts took us for a short drive to San Juanico Bridge, which connects Leyte and Samar and is still the longest bridge in the country. But since it was night, we couldn’t appreciate the beauty of its length and design.

On our last day we were told that the scheduled trips to other tourist attractions would have to be cut short due to time constraints. Which meant that we just had a glimpse of Red Beach, the scene of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the American forces’ return to the country in World War II; the Madonna of Japan, the Marian image built on Kanhuraw Hill as a symbol of peace and reconciliation after the horrors of the war; the Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum of the Marcos family; among others.

There is much more history and culture to rediscover about Leyte and its neighboring province, Samar, site of the infamous Bells of Balangiga. We hope to see these places in the near future.

By then, room accommodations won’t be a problem budget-wise, with Go Hotels right smack in the heart of Tacloban.

Log on to gohotels.ph

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Luxury, elegance, impeccable service–from one hotel to another in the heart of Hong Kong

The Landmark Mandarin is a luxurious oasis in the middle of Central Hong Kong. With only 113 rooms and suites, it is a boutique hotel with the service and amenities of a large luxury hotel. It was rated No. 1 in the 2012 World’s Best Hotels list by Institutional Investors.

Unlike its traditional older sister, the Mandarin Oriental, it is modern and sleek but with all the comforts of a well-appointed home. Every aspect is designed for a pure sensory indulgence. Though it is seven years old (unlike its 50-year-old sister) it remains fresh and very updated.

Designed by Adam Tihany and Peter Remedios, the hotel’s main entrance from Queens Road central is very discreet, and its secondary entrance from the Landmark mall is strategically placed.



At the main entrance, Tihany designed an abstract boat-like feature, inspired by the classic Hong Kong sailing junk, that flanks the main staircase. The use of luxurious materials to shape the iconic hull of a Chinese junk pays homage to current trade and fashion. The seating area at the lobby is intimate and cozy, surrounded by bookshelves with books on art and lifestyle.

The standard rooms are an average size of 50-55 sq m. Very large by Hong Kong standards.  The five types of standard rooms go up to 60 sq m—a luxury in this place.



The Landmark suite is the only type of suite other than the Presidential suite. With a 83-sq-m footprint, it has the feel of a spacious, graciously appointed apartment. The Presidential suite, on the other hand, is luxurious and elegant but low-key, with a private spa/massage room.

The Joe Malone toiletries in lime, basil and mandarin scents are a delight.

Spa pampering

The Oriental Spa is located on two floors of the hotel. It features calming and relaxing natural materials such as bamboo, natural stone and wood. The 25,000-sq-ft spa offers a comprehensive range of health, beauty and massage treatments, with signature treatments created exclusively for Mandarin Oriental. Therapists at the Oriental Spa are trained in the finest ancient traditions of Chinese, European and Thai cultures.



The Oriental Spa offers an indoor heated swimming pool; yoga, pilates, expansive heat experience area featuring Hamam, Laconium, Rasul, Zen relaxation room; and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. A full pilates studio with private classes is offered. According to general manager Greg Liddell, new signature spa treatments will be available this coming June 2013.

If the Chinese have the Shanghainese Pedicure, the French have Bastien, as created by Bastien Gonzalez. The philosophy is the complete opposite of the Shanghainese pedicure, but it still leaves you with squeaky clean hands and feet.  It is a dry pedicure with equipment rivaled by those used in auto detailing shops—in miniature versions, of course, and requiring extreme care and precision.

Luxe bar

The highly focused massage aims to offer optimum mobility, skin elasticity and the highly effective re-plumbing of the fatty cushions in the feet and hands.

For your first treatment, try Albin Brion, the studio manager and podiatrist. Not only is he skilled, he is also the most charming and pleasant pedicurist you will find.

By the left side of the hotel lobby is the very cool and luxe MO Bar. The lighted red circle, the “big O”—a Chinese symbol for shared experience—is a prominent design element. The bar is a place to see and be seen for breakfast, lunch and cocktails.



Comfort food offered here includes fish and chips, teriyaki wagyu burger, Hainan chicken  rice and signature drinks like Rose Petal Martini. The lobster lunch on Sundays is a bestseller.  I didn’t try the Jimmy Choo afternoon tea, but I hear the faux shoes are cute and delicious.

Michelin restaurant

What boutique hotel has a two-star Michelin Restaurant? Well, up on the seventh floor of the Landmark Mandarin is the Amber Restaurant run by chef Richard Ekkebus. He can prepare a 14-course degustation meal, and his resto has been recognized by San Pellegrino as one of the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants.” Amber continues to be the only restaurant in the Greater China region to appear in the top 50 rating.


I strongly recommend the degustation menu with wine and sake pairings. The cuisine’s complex, innovative flavors derive from French and Japanese influences. And the pairings are so well-thought-through. The most unforgettable are the cauliflower velouté with egg sabayon, lobster jell-o with cauliflower caviar seaweed waffles, ebisu oyster and “melt-in-your-mouth” Kagoshima wagyu beef.

The bar’s interiors are spacious and gives the subtle feel of being in a luxury sailing vessel, with its 4,320 golden hanging rods. I guess it carries through from the “Chinese junk” theme at the lobby.

Clearly what the Mandarin Oriental began 50 years ago—commitment to the highest standards of luxury in service and aesthetics—is being carried on by its younger sister, the Landmark Mandarin. Yes, the fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

For gay travelers: Sights to see in Vienna in 48 hours

VIENNA - Vienna's opulent Habsburg-era coffee houses, architecture, palaces, operas, and other cultural institutions give the city an air of imperial grandeur.

Yet the Austrian capital with 1.7 million residents is not stuck in the past, regularly topping quality of life lists and hosting numerous large-scale gay events such as the Life Ball, Rainbow Parade, Rainbow Ball, and Identities Queer Film Festival.

This month Vienna reviewed its gay and lesbian tourism strategy and is now promoting its music, culture and imperial history to LGBT travellers with money to spend.

Reuters correspondents with local knowledge help visitors get the most out of a short stay in Vienna, once home to the likes of Sigmund Freud, Austrian author Arthur Schnitzler and Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi to her family and friends. Friday

4:30 p.m. - Start with a visit to Schloss Belvedere, the former residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736),that houses the world's largest Gustav Klimt collection. The baroque palace is a showcase of the prince's power in Habsburg Austria, after he repelled the Turks who were laying siege to Vienna.

Rumoured to be gay, his sister-in-law is reported to have said: "He doesn't trouble himself with ladies, a nice couple of page boys would be more his thing." The palace is home to Klimt's most famous painting, "The Kiss".

6:30 p.m. - Time for some food and philosophy at a Viennese coffee house. Legend has it that when the Turkish army was repelled in 1683, they left sacks of coffee beans behind, thus sparking the coffee houses for which Vienna is famous. For an expensive coffee try Cafe Central, whose patrons included Freud, Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Lenin, and Leon Trotsky in 1913 alone. (http://www.palaisevents.at/cafecentral.html)

7:30 p.m - Attend a concert in the golden hall of the Wiener Musikverein but be sure to buy tickets in advance as the philharmonic orchestra tends to be booked months out.

10:00 p.m. - Wind through the narrow medieval streets of the first district to find the wine bar Santo Spirito. Frequented by local performers and a gay favourite, the bar plays classical music with baroque and camp flair. (http://www.santospirito.at/)

Saturday

9 a.m. - Grab a snack and coffee in one of dozens of cafes in the Naschmarkt, an open-air market stretching between the Karlsplatz and Kettenbrueckengasse U-bahn stations. An established gay haunt, Cafe Savoy near the end of the Naschmarkt has chandeliers, statues and wood paneling, enlarged by one of largest single-piece mirrors in Europe. (http://www.savoy.at/)

10:30 a.m.- Take the U-bahn to the south-west of the city to the 1,441-room rococo Schoenbrunn, the Habsburg imperial palace and summer residence of Viennese icon Empress Elisabeth. Known as one of the most beautiful queens in Europe, she maintained a 19 inch waist through strict diet and a workout routine unique for the 19th century. (http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en.html)

12:30 p.m. - Head north to grab a book at the Loewenherz Bookstore, one of the largest gay bookstores in Europe with over 12,000 titles, and have lunch at neighbouring Cafe Berg.

Loewenherz is named after Richard the Lionheart. As the story goes, Vienna's original city wall was built from ransom money gained from the release of Richard the Lionheart in the 11th century. The ransom was only made possible because his male lover Blondel heard his love song coming from Castle Duernstein.

2:00 p.m. - Meander along the Ringstrasse, the imperial circular boulevard which replaced the city walls and is lined with a wealth of beautiful buildings. Enter the Albertina Museum in the Hofburg Palace, which boasts the largest and most valuable graphic collections in the world. The 18th century founder, Archduchess Marie Christine, is reputed to have been in a lesbian relationship with her sister-in-law, Isabella, the first wife of Emperor Joseph II. (http://www.albertina.at/en

4:00 p.m. - Continue to the gothic Stephansdom Cathedral in the centre square and climb the tower for an excellent view of the Austrian capital before heading down Kartnerstrasse, making a short detour to Kaiserbruendl sauna, Vienna's best known gay sauna harking back to days of Habsburg grandeur. The sauna was frequented by one of Emperor Franz Joseph's brothers who had a special entrance made for incognito access.

6:00 p.m. - Any visit to Vienna involves having a Wiener Schnitzel, a cutlet of breaded veal or pork, served with potato salad. Gaesthaus Ubl in the Wieden district with simple wood tables, white walls, and a traditional menu is a local favourite.

8:00 p.m. - Dress to impress and enjoy the grandeur of the Vienna State Opera House. Two gay architects, Eduard van der Nuell and August Sicard von Sicardsburg, designed the building, but Van der Nuell committed suicide in 1868 before its completion after criticism of the building. (http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at)

Sunday

9:00 a.m. - Start the morning with breakfast at any of the number of cafes in the trendy and artsy MuseumsQuartier (MQ). These former Habsburg stables have been transformed into a plaza of culture that features museums, galleries, restaurants and shops. (http://www.mqw.at/en/)

10:00 a.m. - A favourite in MQ is the Leopold Museum, which houses the largest collection of Expressionist artist Egon Schiele's works. It recently drew the crowds (including naturists in a special viewing) with the exhibit "Naked Men", a homage to male nudity. (http://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en)

11:00 a.m. - See the pomp and majesty of the Lipizzaner horses as they perform a classical dressage at the Spanish Riding School inside the Hofburg palace. The school has been practising the art for over 440 years. (http://www.srs.at/en/)

1:00 p.m. - A catholic country, most stores are closed on Sunday so do as the Viennese and head to Prater for an afternoon in the park. Grab a sausage from a food stand and head to Riesenrad, featured in the Orson Welles film "The Third Man".

3:00 p.m. - End your stay in Vienna at a traditional wine tavern, or Heuriger, in Grinzing or Doebling districts on the outer edges of the city. Vienna has 1,680 acres of vineyards located inside the city limits. Enjoy some hearty Austrian food like Schweinebraten (roast pork) and Kaiserschmarrn (strips of pancake served with fruit compote) and say "Prost!" with a glass of Gruener Veltliner, a popular local white wine. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Labor Day sale: $849 round-trip from L.A. to Peru on Lan Airlines

Typically, good sale airfares to South America start from Miami. But Lan Airlines launched a Labor Day sale on tickets to Lima, Peru, that show good savings for travelers in Los Angeles and San Francisco too. Round-trip cost for the West Coast cities is $849, but only for a limited time.

The deal: In this sale, prices for round-trip flights to Lima start at $599 from Miami, $749 from New York and $849 from L.A. and San Francisco.

When: Tickets must be purchased by 8:59 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday for departures between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30. Travel must be completed by Dec. 10.

Tested: I found availability for the sale price for nonstop flights from L.A. to Lima leaving Oct. 17 and returning Oct. 24. On Lan, you can check two bags free. In a check of comparative fares for the same dates, I found the same low price on Taca Airlines, but that requires a layover in El Salvador; nonstop flights cost more than $200 extra in my test.

Contact: Lan Airlines, (866) 435-9526

source: latimes.com

San Francisco airport unveils yoga room for travelers

Just cleared airport security and in need of a little deep breathing and stretching relaxation?

San Francisco Airport has opened what it calls a first of its kind yoga room, and while it's not quite a mountaintop in Tibet, airport officials say the low lights, and soothing blue walls aim to afford travelers, stressed out or sanguine, an oasis of calm in which to flex, twist and decompress.

"As far as we know it's the first (yoga room) at an airport anywhere in the world," said Michael C. McCarron, director of community affairs for the airport.

He said the idea for the room, in the newly refurbished Terminal 2, came from a passenger suggestion at an open house. It joins the Berman reflection room, a space intended for silence and meditation located before Terminal 2 security.

Airport Director John L. Martin called the room, which opened last week, "another leap forward in providing our travelers the opportunity and space to relax and decompress on their own terms."

The architects, Gensler Design, set the lights low and warm in contrast to the light, bright concourse, according to a statement, and a floating wall was constructed to symbolize "a buoyant spirit and enlightened mind."

Large felt-constructed rocks will be installed in the Spring in a nod to the Zen gardens of Japan.

John Walsh, duty manager at San Francisco Airport, said the room is already attracting its share of travelling yogis, many equipped with their own props.

"I've seen people using it. They do yoga," Walsh said. "We have mats, but some people actually bring their own." There are also folding chairs, popular in many senior yoga sessions. So far there are no plans to hold classes.

Located just past security, it's a particular draw for people with time to kill before their flight, Walsh said.

Santa Monica-based yoga teacher Tamal Dodge believes the yoga room at the airport will be the first of many yoga spaces to be attached to airports and public transportation venues.

"How amazing will it be to stretch out and meditate before you get on a plane for a 12-hour flight," said Dodge, who is featured in the "Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga for Beginners" DVD.

"You are now given the opportunity to really relax and prepare your body for something as taxing as sitting in an airplane seat for hours on end," he said.

Airport yogis are directed to their room by the usual method–the pictograph: this one of a figure seated in full lotus position. –Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com