Local Chinese Cuisine in The China Guide’s Tours

The China Guide ( http://www.TheChinaGuide.com ) is taking travelers to good local restaurants on all of their China-wide tours. Food is a historical part of China’s culture with many types to experience; The China Guide gives its guests genuine Chinese cuisine. “We find that most travelers are taken to large tourist restaurants which produce generic dishes with little variety, based on what they think westerners will like. Tourist restaurants do not let travelers sample the unique foods of China. We are offering quality that’s not found on typical group tours,” says Judy Huang, Travel Manager of The China Guide.

The staff and guides personally select all restaurants included in The China Guide tours. The guides escort travelers to restaurants in local neighborhoods and make recommendations while helping with the ordering. Restaurants and ordering are kept flexible to client’s tastes, as there are many types of cuisines from all over China. “We try to include at least one restaurant from each specialty during the client’s tour,” adds Huang, “that can include spicy Sichuan, hot pot, dumplings and most popular, Peking Duck. There is so much to experience.”

Meals include unlimited dishes so that travelers can sample as much as they like. Standard drinks are also endless including local beer, which is commonly enjoyed with most meals in China. The China Guide encourages clients to try unusual things such as lotus root or sea cucumber, which are not commonly available in the West. For clients with a special interest in Chinese cuisine, The China Guide offers trips to local food markets as well as cooking classes. Dumpling making class is very popular with travelers and great for kids as well.

The China Guide

The China Guide ( http://www.TheChinaGuide.com ) is a Beijing based travel agency, American owned and operated. Specializing in western-style service and quality with hassle free web bookings, they work with clients to customize tours that match their travel style. Operating only in China, they have up to date knowledge and offer exciting experiences for travelers including their famous Sleep on the Great Wall tour. The China Guide avoids the common factory shopping stops that are not reflective of the true China.

Lonely Planet Launches New Augmented Reality Guides for Android Users in Australia

Lonely Planet today announced its ‘augmented reality’ Compass Guides are now available for Google Android users in Australia, providing easy to use, mobile access to its best selling city guide content.

Lonely Planet is one of the first travel companies in the world to create augmented reality products for Australian travellers with Android handsets, launching a series of 25 Compass Guides for popular Asian, European and US cities. Anyone with these handsets can now experience travelling with augmented reality technology, where real life is annotated with Lonely Planet travel information.

“This is one of the most innovative things we’ve launched and we’re really excited to see how people use this application,” said Matthew Cashmore, Lonely Planet’s Innovation and Ecosystems Manager.

“The application pinpoints your exact location so that when you find yourself in a new city and want to know what there is to see and do around you, just look through the camera and a wealth of Lonely Planet information on the best destinations, accommodation, sites, bars and restaurants appear stuck like posted notes to points of interest around you,” said Cashmore.

Key features of the Compass Guides include GPS enabled maps and location based information for hundreds of points of interest for every city, while the phone’s built in compass allows users to see their current location and how far or near they are to destinations and sites. The guides also enable travellers to use all content offline (with the exception of the maps) meaning no roaming fees.

Twenty-five Lonely Planet Compass Guides are currently available; Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Paris, Prague, Rome, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, Vancouver, Boston, Chicago, LA, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC.

"Lonely Planet's commitment to innovation and new technology is unique. After being the very first travel content publisher to launch augmented reality applications in 2009, it is fantastic to see the next phase and expansion of their mobile product proposition," said Andy Gstoll, CEO Wikitude.

Lonely Planet’s Compass Guides are available for $4.99 USD from the Google Android store (available on all Android powered phones) and will work on all major Android phones back to the very first model, the G1.

Notes:

- Lonely Planet first launched Compass Guides for Google Android in December 2009 for the US market only.

- Lonely Planet worked with Austrian developer Wikitude to make points of interest in city guides compatible with augmented reality technology. www.wikitude.org/

- Android phones are available from a variety of manufacturers in Australia, including Google, HTC, Samsung & Motorola.

About Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is the leading global travel information company. It is renowned for its first-hand approach, up-to-date maps and commitment to providing the best information for travellers. Lonely Planet covers the must-see spots, but also encourages travellers to get off the beaten track and understand more of the nature, culture and environment in each destination. Lonely Planet currently has more than 360 writers, researchers and photographers and produces around 500 trustworthy and inspiring books, innovative downloadable digital guides, an award-winning website, wireless applications and cutting-edge television programmes. Lonely Planet was founded after Tony and Maureen Wheeler left London and hit the road in search of adventure in 1972. They travelled overland across Asia and landed in Australia where, due to incessant questions from would-be travellers, they compiled their journey notes and stapled together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. www.Lonelyplanet.com

About Wikitude
Wikitude is an early pioneer in commercial augmented reality and the creator of the Wikitude World Browser, which is one of the first practical augmented reality (AR) mobile applications available world-wide. Wikitude engages in the research and in-house development of location-based services and augmented reality experiences for smart-phones. Wikitude is one of the leading innovators in developing new methods and applications for data acquisition and exchange in the emerging market of mobile augmented reality. http://www.wikitude.org

Singapore’s first all-inclusive Boutique Hotel

For the discerning traveler, Quincy offers a distinctive all-inclusive stay. The room rate includes a limousine transfer service from the airport – with free Wi-Fi access during the ride, all three meals at the hotel, high-speed Internet connections, all mini-bar amenities, and cocktails and drinks each evening.

The hotel is mere minutes’ walk from Orchard Road, Singapore’s main street which is considered one of the world’s foremost retail and entertainment thoroughfares. Its location also means easy accessibility to the public transport network in the island – with the island’s business and commercial district just a few metro stops away.

Yet, tucked away as it is from the main road, Quincy still offers its guests privacy and exclusivity. With just 108 rooms, this new hotel on Mount Elizabeth will be the smallest amongst the stable of Far East Hospitality’s hotels, but it is big in redefining ‘a stay in Singapore’.

“We wanted a combination of the best international influences, lots of character – and to the mix, we have also added our own years of experience as one of Singapore’s leading hospitality groups with six existing hotels and 11 serviced residences,” said Mr Chia Boon Kuah, executive director in charge of Far East Hospitality’s business.

He pointed out that boutique hotels all over the world have been setting new standards in hospitality. Growth of travel sites and agents in the last three years, which specialize exclusively in this market such as tablethotels.com, mrandmrssmith.com and splendia.com is testimony to the interest and demand for accommodation that offers a distinctive, different stay.
For a start, Quincy departs from the norm with its distinctive façade. Dark grey metal, anodized steel and shimmering windows form large modular shapes – giving the building a strong, modern, almost monolithic air.

But breaking the almost severe lines is a whimsical, illuminated, glass-enclosed pool which is cantilevered from the 12th floor of the building.

Touches of this surprising quirkiness can be found throughout the hotel – from the distinctive furniture including peanut-shaped benches and illuminated torsos, to the surprising messages that appear each day in the lifts, and to the colour-changing LED lights dotting the pool deck.

This is combined with thoughtful hospitality – where 400 threadcount sheets, Molton Brown toiletries and 42-inch TV screens come standard. The hotel will even pick up the tab for two pieces of laundry per room, per night.

The latitude this approach offered allowed Quincy to become a distinctive destination, which serves real wants and needs said Mr Chia: “We unhampered ourselves of rules and set out to achieve what travelers wanted and liked.”

Diamond Princess Sparkles in Australasia in 2011-12

Australian travellers will have the chance to explore the best of Australasia and Asia from the decks of Princess Cruises’ megaliner Diamond Princess, with the release of her 2011-12 Down Under cruise season.
The most modern ship to be based in Australia for a season, the 116,000-tonne Diamond Princess will offer 16 cruises sailing to Australia, New Zealand and Asia between October 2011 and April 2012, ranging from 12-39 nights.

On sale now, a highlight of the new program is the 39-night Australia, South East Asia and China Grand Adventure cruise from Sydney to Singapore departing February 4, 2012.

The voyage heads north via tropical Queensland and the Northern Territory, before calling at bustling Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and Thailand and is priced from $5799* per person twin share.

Travellers keen to combine the highlights of Queensland summer cruising with Asia in less time can opt for the 23-night voyage between Australia and China, departing Sydney on February 4, 2012. The cruise will call at Hong Kong, Taipei, Nagasaki, Pusan, Shanghai and Dalian before ending in Beijing and is priced from $3469* per person.

Meanwhile, Diamond Princess will also offer seven 16-night sailings to South East Asia and China between Singapore and Beijing.

Starting from $2439* per person, the voyages begin in Singapore or Beijing, calling at Pusan, Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.

Diamond will also sail a series of four 12 or 13-night voyages between Australia and New Zealand over December 2011 and January 2012.

Priced from $1949* per person, the voyages begin in Sydney or Auckland and feature scenic cruising through spectacular Fiordland National Park, as well as visits to Melbourne, Hobart, Dunedin, Christchurch and Tauranga. The 13-night cruises also call into Wellington.

Carrying 2680 passengers, Diamond Princess features five dining alternatives, 13 bars and lounges, five swimming pools, a wedding chapel, the Lotus Spa, a mini golf course, an art gallery, jogging track and gym with a swim-against-the-current lap pool.

For details, see a travel agent, call Princess Cruises on 132 488 or visit www.princess.com

*Subject to availability, conditions apply.

QANTAS to Receive First Boeing 787 in 2012

Qantas today announced it would receive the first of 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners – a B787-8 series aircraft – in mid-2012.
The change follows an agreement reached with Boeing to bring forward the delivery of eight B787-8s by around two years. The first aircraft will be used by Jetstar for its international operations.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said the Qantas Group had firm orders for 50 B787s in place, and remained the second largest airline customer for the Dreamliner.

“Today’s announcement confirms that the B787, with its new technologies and improved fuel efficiency, is still very much the right aircraft – for both Qantas and Jetstar,” Mr Joyce said.

“It will be ideal for point-to-point flying on medium density routes, both short and long haul and will allow Jetstar to move into southern Europe as well as build on its Asian network.

“It will also be suitable for Qantas services into Asia, and even for high traffic routes on Qantas’ domestic network.

“This is further confirmation that Qantas remains committed to growing both our airline brands by renewing our fleet and improving flexibility of our domestic and international operations.

“We will also continue to have the capability to maintain and grow our share of the Australian market.

“The phased delivery of 50 B787s will deliver lower operating and maintenance costs, greater fuel efficiency and improved environmental performance to both airlines.

“The 787s will also deliver benefits for passengers with larger windows, higher humidity and a lower cabin altitude pressure improving the flying experience.” The change to the Group’s B787 order will see*:

- Qantas Group firm orders remain at 50 aircraft, comprising 15 B787-8s and 35 B787-9s; 
the first eight aircraft – all B787-8s – delivered from mid-2012; 
the remaining seven B787-8s, along with 35 B787-9s, to follow from 2014, allowing for the retirement of - Qantas’ remaining B767-300ER fleet and providing for international growth for Jetstar or Qantas; and 
- Qantas retain the ability to purchase up to 50 additional aircraft.

The Group’s first 15 B787s will be delivered to Jetstar for international growth which will also enable the transfer of A330-200s from Jetstar to Qantas and the retirement of Qantas B767-300ERs.

Jetstar will configure the B787-8 fleet for its low fare international operations to accommodate 313 passengers in two classes that includes its international business class, StarClass.

* delivery timeframes are based on current Boeing planning guidance and may be subject to change.

Qantas and Jetstar B787 images are available at the Qantas Media Room – www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/imagegallery/global/en   
Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (Q4096)