Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

World

Britain’s PM Uses Online Booking: Well Maybe

Phil Butler

It should come as no real surprise that Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, gets his vacation deals via the Internet too. According to the news from Travelmatch and the Daily Mail, Cameron’s booked a luxurious villa in Italy via the online travel portal. He and his family will be headed out on vacation via budget airline, the whole shebang, just like you or I. Well, almost – read on.

Egypt: Gift of the Nile 2011

Aleksandr Shatskih

On the plateau of Giza, a sentinel stands guard. Built of stone, its body is that of a lion, it’s face that of its maker. The Sphinx has served as a witness to history unfolding, from the fall of the Pharaohs; great armies have marched in front of it led by generals of legend – Napoleon, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great himself. The Great Sphinx has even witnessed the mighty river Nile change its course. And now this guardian of Egypt is witness to the fall of the modern Pharaoh of Egypt.

Hyatt Hotels Partners for Black Sea Resort in Sochi

Aleksandr Shatskih

Hyatt Hotels Corp. just announced a joint venture with real estate conglomerate Yug – Novy Vek (Sneriri) Development, for the management of Hyatt Regency Sochi, being built for the 2014 Olympics in the Russian Federation. The seaside resort hotel will feature some 200 rooms, 26 suites, restaurants, a bar, pool, and other amenties customary for Hyatt offerings.

HouseTrip – A Startup Taking Aim At Travel Alternatives

Phil Butler

TechCrunch reported on a fascinating startup in April, a new take on vacation rentals called HouseTrip. The news back then was about the Swiss startup’s $2.7 million in funding from Index Ventures, but today it looks as if the company is spending the money wisely. Let’s take a look under the hood of what my old friend Steve O’Hear called; “another play in the holiday apartments space.”

Google Is NOT Taking Over Travel With Hotel Finder

Phil Butler

Okay, just because Google bought ITA, just because flight search stuff got put onto the search page, just because they have 50 billion reasons to take over online travel, does not mean Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Eric Schmidt, and the rest at Google will. AND, launching the unbelievably fast Google Hotel Finder aspect for online travel? Nah, Google will never take over the multi-billion dollar online travel scene. Yeah! They will.

Wild On the Fly Fundraiser – Catching the Social Trout

Aleksandr Shatskih

A fundraiser, begun by Grizzly Hackle’s Wild on the Fly travel TV show, hopes to earn $26,000 to further the show’s “cinimatic polish” – according to their news. Season 2, which begins in January, is will see even more twists and turns added to combat TV fishing show boredom.

Monegros Desert Festival Begins Today

Aleksandr Shatskih

The Monegros Desert Festival, the biggest rave event in Spain this year, kicks off today for a weekend to remember in Spain. Tickets are still available for the 17 version of the event featuring world class performances across many genres.

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.