Nando’s set to open in London Gatwick

London Gatwick has revealed that Nando’s will open its first ever airport restaurant in South Terminal next summer.

The deal between Nando’s and Gatwick marks the start of a major overhaul of the airport’s food and beverage offering in South Terminal.

It follows a complete re-vamp of the North Terminal, which has seen eight new restaurants open in the past two years. New additions range from Jamie’s Italian and Comptoir Libanais to YO! Sushi and new coffee outlets including Starbucks and Pret a Manger.

Charlotte Christiansen, Business Development Manager for Catering at London Gatwick, said: “We are thrilled that Nando’s will be opening its first airport restaurant at Gatwick this summer. Nando’s is a hugely popular brand with our passengers and its extensive menu is perfectly matched to airport dining as it is quick, fresh and delicious. More than a third of our passengers told us they would like to see a Nando’s at Gatwick so we have acted on this.”

Passenger ratings of food and beverage at Gatwick have improved significantly in recent years, with 85% of passengers now scoring the selection of outlets available as either excellent or good². The number of passengers eating, drinking or buying products from catering outlets in the departure lounge has also steadily increased, with nearly 65% of passengers making a purchase – up by nearly a quarter³.

Nando’s, home of legendary Portuguese flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, will open its doors in Gatwick’s South Terminal in summer 2014. The restaurant group’s first foray into airport dining will seat 200 guests, and create 100 new full and part-time jobs.

Set to provide London Gatwick’s passengers with a menu bursting with flavour, variety and great value, the team behind the new restaurant will spend the next seven months on site constructing the 5,900 sq ft restaurant, which will feature Nando’s unique design throughout, including its eye-catching range of African art.

Garry Duncan, Regional Director of Nando’s, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce we’ll be opening our first airport restaurant in London Gatwick next year.

“It’s a complete new territory for the brand, but demonstrates our forward thinking and desire to offer our fans and customers the best possible Nando’s experience whether they’re on a high street or in an airport terminal. We can’t wait to open our doors!”

This development is in direct response to passenger feedback to see a Nando’s at Gatwick. Recent research saw the brand hit the top spot for restaurant chains passengers would like to visit at the airport – 33% asked for it – ensuring the airport experience truly reflects passengers’ needs.

Nando’s Gatwick will operate approximately 20 hours a day between the hours of 4.00am and 12.00am for passengers to enjoy meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner before they fly.

Technical launch of Costa Cruises’ future flagship, Costa Diadema

Costa Diadema, the future flagship of Costa Cruises, today touched water for the first time during the technical launch ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera.

Costa Diadema (132,500 gross tonnage and 1,862 guest cabins) will be delivered on 30 October 2014. Costa Cruises has invested a total of around €550 million in her construction and the project is employing approximately 1000 shipyard workers plus another 2500 employees of allied industries. The benefits in terms of employment extend beyond the yard, especially regarding the fitting-out of the interiors of the cruise ship, with the involvement of about 400 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms.

Costa Crociere S.p.A. CEO Michael Thamm commented: “Costa Diadema will be our new flagship and our tangible commitment to the future success and growth of our Company. She is the 10th cruise ship built in Italy by Fincantieri for Costa since 2000, with a total investment worth almost €5 billion. This investment creates wealth and employment for the country as a whole – not only during the building, but also when the ships are in service. Costa Diadema’s winter itinerary will include three ports in Italy: Savona, Civitavecchia and La Spezia. At the same time, thanks to her innovative features, Costa Diadema will open up new horizons for Costa.”

Fincantieri’s CEO, Giuseppe Bono, commented: “For many years now we’ve been applying Italian know-how to form a winning team with Costa. We hope that the country as a whole is proud of these two major companies and will not fail to support their continued growth. We’re also convinced that Costa Diadema, the largest ship ever built for Costa Crociere, bodes very well for the future development of our companies and the entire industry”.

Costa Diadema’s technical launch ceremony was carried out according to seafaring tradition. The launch started with the welding of a coin at the base of what was once the mainmast, a custom considered to bring good luck. Shipyard director, Antonio Quintano, then invited the godmother, Ms. Franca Grasso, to cut the ribbon and break a bottle of champagne against the bow. Once the dry-dock basin where the ship took shape over the last few months had been filled with water, the hull finally touched the sea for the first time.

Highlighting the strong link between Costa and its guests, Franca Grasso is a member of the CostaClub (Costa Cruises’ loyalty club) coming from Giarre (Sicily), who was chosen through a selection on board Costa ships cruising in the Mediterranean Sea at the end of October and beginning of November 2013, involving over 12,000 guests.

Costa Diadema’s distinguishing features will be comfort combined with top quality food, wine and entertainment. The new flagship’s interiors will be even cosier, roomier and more modern in terms of facilities and layout of her public areas. Costa Diadema will offer large, split-level rooms directly overlooking the sea and conveniently interconnected, thus evoking the atmosphere of a buzzing seaside resort.

Among the many innovations on board are new food and wine tasting treats in the shape of the Vinoteca, Birreria (beer house), Japanese Teppanyaki, Pizzeria in Piazza Pizza and Gelateria. 

There will also be new forms of fun and entertainment on board with the advent of the Country Rock Club, the place to go for classic rock music, and the Star Laser room featuring different styles of interactive laser games including the Laser Maze.

The Portobello Market Piazza, at the heart of a 1100m2 area consisting of designer stores and retail outlets, will appeal to shopaholics, while those who enjoy the sun, sea and spectacular ocean vistas will enjoy the open-air promenade and cabanas.

Meanwhile, the purpose-built Samsara Spa on three levels, located on the upper decks, will offer the rejuvenating experience of a wellness cruise.

In Winter 2014/15 Costa Diadema will be deployed on a one-week itinerary including the chance to visit two of Italy’s must-see cities – Rome and Florence – on one cruise. The port calls are Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Civitavecchia and La Spezia.

One&Only Le Saint Geran, Mauritius

One&Only Le Saint Geran, Mauritian influences reign supreme. Originally opened in 1975 and remodeled in 1999, the resorts relaxed and discreet luxury is complimented by service that is attentive, yet unobtrusive. Here, terraced and balconied rooms all face out privately to the Indian Ocean. Under the calm sway of thousands of coconut palms, immaculate gardens run down to the edge of the coral-sand beach, which seamlessly wraps the peninsula for over a mile.

Package includes: Return flights from Johannesburg to Mauritius. Return coach transfers. Breakfast and dinner daily. Christmas Eve gala dinner. A 30% Early bird offer included in the rates quoted.

Package excludes: Passport + visa costs (if applicable), travel insurance & items of a personal nature. Approximate rates, levies and surcharges of R3550 per adult sharing.

For Full details contact us:
Holiday Cafe / XL Travel by Arrangement
T: 011 794 4900, First Floor Trinity Village,
65 Knoppiesdoring Street
Randpark Ridge, Johannesburg

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Travel Insured with us!! For Full details contact us:
Holiday Cafe / XL Travel by Arrangement T: 011 794 4900
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Johannesburg

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Emirates Airline Chauffeur

Complimentary Chauffuer Service for South Africa Passengers From 01 November 2013

All chauffeur drive bookings required for travel from 01 November 2013 for Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban is provided within a 110 driven Km instead of 110Km radius.
The service will be provided by Budget Door 2 Door.

Silversea’s second expedition ship Silver Galapagos sets sail

Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea has launched its second expedition ship. Fresh from a major refurbishment, the 100-guest ship (formerly named Galapagos Explorer II) embarked 28 September on her first-ever voyage as Silver Galapagos.

Prior to setting sail, a christening ceremony was held on board, attended by local dignitaries and company executives. Highlighting the occasion were speeches by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Silversea’s chairman; Santiago Dunn, vice president of Silversea, Ecuador; and Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s director of expedition cruises. Following the traditional blessing by a priest, the chairman’s daughter, Costanza Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the ship’s godmother, officially welcomed Silver Galapagos into the Silversea fleet by cutting a ceremonial ribbon.

The all-suite Silver Galapagos has just completed a major stem-to-stern refurbishment. All public spaces and guest suites have been refreshed with new upholstery, carpeting, curtains, and wall treatments. Each suite is highlighted by a totally renovated bathroom, enhanced with rich marble detailing. Besides a new walk-in rainforest shower, each bathroom features a new vanity, shelving, mirrors, lighting fixtures, and wood flooring. Plus, all guest suites have been outfitted with new flat screen TVs, new mattresses (custom-made exclusively for Silversea), and luxurious Pratesi bed linens.

Other ship enhancements include the installation of Wi-Fi access throughout the ship (including all suites) and a new complimentary service providing streaming movies and live television news broadcasts for guests to enjoy on their portable devices.

And rounding out the renovations are a new fitness centre, massage room, beauty salon, outdoor Jacuzzi, outdoor furniture, and Silversea’s signature outdoor dining venue, The Grill.

In his remarks at the christening ceremony, Lefebvre d’Ovidio stated, “It is our aim that this ship will not only offer our guests the highest level of comfort and service, but also enlighten them to the rarity and beauty of the Galápagos Islands.”

Silver Galapagos sails Saturday to Saturday on seven-day roundtrip voyages from Baltra Island, following either a western or north central route. These expedition cruises offer adventurous travellers the life-enriching chance to discover a wild, pristine paradise that has long been regarded as a natural laboratory of evolution. On complimentary expeditions ashore guided by an experienced expedition team (certified by the Galápagos National Park Service), Silversea’s guests may experience up-close encounters with an abundance of wildlife that includes sun-basking land iguanas, giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, colourful marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins and Darwin’s famous finches.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON THIRD OASIS-CLASS SHIP

World’s Largest Global Cruise Line Celebrates Steel Cutting in Saint-Nazaire, France MIAMI, September 23, 2013 – Royal Caribbean International cut the first piece of steel today for its third Oasis-class ship, marking the first construction milestone for a vessel that, at approximately 227,700 GRT, will be the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Richard D. Fain and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, Adam Goldstein together with Laurent Castaing, chief executive officer, STX France, attended the event at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where the ship will be built. The cruise line’s third Oasis-class ship is expected to be delivered in mid-2016. “The Oasis-class ships have fundamentally changed the cruising landscape with the cornucopia of amenities and innovations that can be found on-board,” said Fain. “We are delighted to be offering a third Oasis-class vessel for our guests as well as to be back at STX France after such a long tradition of building amazing ships together.” “We are excited to once again partner with Royal Caribbean International,” said Castaing, “We have built 12 ships for Royal Caribbean and are extremely proud of the strength of our relationship. Oasis 3 is one of the biggest challenges ever undertaken in the history of our company and our teams are excited and ready to make this a successful project.” Oasis 3 joins sister-ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas which took the cruise industry by storm with their introduction in 2009 and 2010, respectively, featuring a revolutionary design with a split superstructure and the cruise line’s neighbourhood concept of seven distinct themed areas. At 225,282 GRT and spanning 16 decks with 2,700 staterooms, the Oasis class ships also introduced extraordinary “firsts” at sea such as an 82 foot-long zip line, a handcrafted carousel, the Rising Tide elevating bar, the AquaTheater high-diving performance venue, and the Central Park with more than 12,000 live trees and plants. The Oasis class also offers amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, such as twin FlowRider surf simulators, cantilevered whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, the H2O Zone kids aquapark, and the Royal Promenade, an interior boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques, among many others. “Our Oasis-class ships have led the charge in delivering the WOW for which Royal Caribbean is known,” said Goldstein. “We are delighted to get the building process underway and look forward to the next chapter of this amazing class of ships.” Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas sail weekly, alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In October 2014, Oasis of the Seas will sail a short autumn season in Europe from Barcelona, Spain before entering dry-dock for routine maintenance at the Képpel Verolme shipyard in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Details of the third Oasis-class ship will be revealed in the coming months. Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL), the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand. World renowned for its friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, delivered by every staff and crew member, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards.