Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

World

Celebrity Silhouette Takes to Sea – A Cruise Milestone Set

Phil Butler

Celebrity Cruises is all over travel news today in the wake of last night’s extravaganza last aboard the inaugural sailing of the Celebrity Silhouette. The lavish £500 million cruise ship was launched at what became Hamburg’s biggest ever cruise ship ceremony. At 122,000 tons and over 1,000 feet, Celebrity Silhouette is the largest ship ever named from Germany’s most legendary shipbuilding city.

Jebel Ali International Hotels Launches Resort Makeover

Phil Butler

In hotel news from the Middle East, Dubai based Ali International Hotels has launched a major development pan of all its Dubai properties. The company plans to refurbish several properties to the tune of roughly $40 million US, according to the news.

InterContinental Hotels Shuffles Leadership

Aleksandr Shatskih

InterContinental Hotels appoints news leaders for Europe and other regions, while CEO Richard Simmons offers company profits report and prospectus. Holiday Inn Express India, and many other sectors are outlined.

Starwood to Open Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona

Aleksandr Shatskih

Starwood Hotels & Resorts will link up with Amrey Hotels S.L. to operate a Four Points Hotel in Barcelona. The hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona Diagonal, is scheduled to open this fall spreading the Starwood Four Points brand into Spain. The hotel will offer 154 guest rooms, 24 hour dining, as well as other typical “Four Points” amenities, according to the news.

Eurozone – European Travel Gone Critical

Phil Butler

The Eurozone is in deep trouble. The piling up of debt for member states now affects every country, every industry, all Europe is reeling at the ultimate realization economic chaos is no longer a distant danger. Italy’s Ecomomy Minister Giulio Tremonti said it all in an address on Thursday; “We move forward or we sink” – stressing the EU desperately needs a political solution to its money woes.

Crystal Cruises Transatlantic Retro Dance Voyage

Aleksandr Shatskih

Have you always dreamed of a trans-Atlantic voyage? Maybe you yearn to dance an elegant tango aboard a stunning ocean liner? Perhaps you envision doing both, and more? Well, Crystal Cruises has just announced a “Big Band and Ballroom Dance” voyage from Lisbon to Miami this Fall. Talk about retro elegance.

Thomas Cook Celebrates 170th Anniversary

Aleksandr Shatskih

If you’ve ever wondered how travel companies like Thomas Cook got so prominent, last weeks 170th anniversary of their founders holidays should be a clue. Thomas Cook’s first hosted tour, a train ride with 500 demonstrators back in 1841, launched maybe the world’s most respected holiday travel company.

Internos Real Investors Raising Europe Hotel Fund

Phil Butler

Internos Real Investors is reportedly raising between €200 million and €250 million for their first hotel fund for selected European countries. According to the news, the company is targeting mid-market hotel projects in Germany, France, and in the Netherlands.

Crystal Cruises – Best Large Cruise Line 2011

Phil Butler

For those dreaming of a cruise aboard a fabulous floating city this Summer, Crystal Cruises may just be the safest bet there is. The company has just been named Travel + Leisure’s “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” for 2011.