From Prague to Moscow, from Bratislava to Ostrava, and finally on to Budapest and Warsaw, all Mamaison Hotels and Residences have won TripAdvisor awards this year.
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Russia’s Putin Honors Sergei Mikhalkov
A monument to the famous Russian poet, writer, publicist and soldier Sergei Mikhalkov was dedicated today by President Vladimir Putin. The unique creative heritage Mikhalkov contributions added significantly to the rich Russian heritage and history.
Six Unforgettable Crete Restaurants
Crete offers a diverse culinary trip for travelers, even though the island’s traditional cuisine is the marque attraction for foodies. While the Mediterranean diet is well known and as healthy as advertised, the Cretan take on healthy eating is actually the oldest and most time honored. Ancient as this cooking tradition is though, fine eateries around the island offer unique twists on age old recipes. Here’s a sampling of superb restaurants of a kind.
Travelers’ Hotel Choices: No Choice At All
When Google acquired ITA flight software a couple of years back, a group of competitors went ballistic warning of unfair practices by the Internet search and ad giant. Most people back then blew off what FairSearch was contending, this author included. As it turns out, a half dozen court cases won and a lot of water under the hotel search bridge, and potential guests really have no choice at all. Google has rigged the hotel booking game into an ad recommendation one.
Q1 Profit and Loss: Weeding Out the OTAs
In a 2014 economy seemingly stagnated OTAs and other travel businesses are feeling some pain. This is not the case for Priceline Group, which just showed a 1st quarter earnings jump of some 36% on international bookings. However, this company’s gain is evidently Orbitz’s and other digital travel business loss. Are we seeing a “weeding out” of good travel entities versus bad ones?
Preview: Russia’s Unforgettable Stars of the White Nights Festival 2014
For the next three months nighttime becomes a sort of extended, mystical twilight in many parts of Russia. Coming to St. Petersburg May 23rd through July 31st, the Stars of the While Nights Festival is an experience to never forget.
Văcărești Becomes the First Urban Natural Park in Romania
The area surrounding Lake Văcărești in Bucharest, a 183 hectares stretch of green, has been declared by the Romanian government a protected area of national interest, and named Văcăreşti Natural Park. The General Council of Bucharest approved the decision on April 29, with a majority of 41 votes and 4 abstentions. This makes Bucharest the […]
Putin Moves to Assist Crimea Travel
According to reports from Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into effect travel promotional legislation including dropping the VAT tax on air travel starting June 1, 2014. Currently the VAT for air travel in Russia is 18%, according to the Voice of Russia.
Red Eggs and An Orthodox Easter Prayer
For Orthodox Christians, an old, old tradition is the dying of eggs to symbolize and attest to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The eggs, which are a symbol of the stone tomb where Jesus’ body was laid, are traditional symbols now for greeting on Easter.
Wedding Bliss at Mamaison Pokrovka Moscow
Mamaison Pokrovka Moscow has recently been stage to the Wedding School, an occasion for guests, and participant parties, to witness the latest trends in wedding decorations; hotel trends for brides and grooms, and more.
Grotto Homes: Romance the Cretan Way
On Crete the idea of out-of-the-way places takes on new dimensions. The countryside is as pristine and wild as you can imagine. The effect of this wildness, meeting the cities by the sea, leaves visitors spellbound in a sort of landscape awe. At the civilized heart of rural Crete, a tapestry of villages dot the island like tiny gems. It is in just such a tiny town, literally hidden from view, where you will find the most romantic stay at Grotto Homes.
Brandwatch Report on Social Listening a Head Turner for Hospitality
Brandwatch, the most powerful social media monitoring and analytics tool we’ve found, just released their travel and hospitality report for 2014 – Social Listening & the Tourism Industry: A Snapshot. The detailed report amounts to the first of its kind primer for travel executives to understand the impacts of social media on traveler decision making.