By Elyse Glickman

Once upon a time there were two mutually exclusive groups of savvy Europe-bound travelers. One preferred metropolitan destinations such as Munich, Zurich and Vienna for their culture, cuisine and shopping. The other, more athletically inclined group headed for the hills–those really BIG hills that make up the multi-country swath known as the Alps.

Sammy Salm, managing director of Best of The Alps, is leading an effort to unify these seemingly disparate group of travelers by making them realize each unique community is a perfectly balanced center of sport, history, culture and luxury. He also has the enthusiastic support of representatives from the dozen historic communities covering Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. They have been getting word out, and their first line of conquest is via travel writers with diverse interests.

“We are here to show you that these Alpine resorts and cities are world class,” Salm announced at a luncheon staged at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills. “Though all the regions are picturesque and have some of the best alpine skiing on Earth, they are destinations all year around, with everything ranging from adventure tourism for people at varying fitness levels, to cultural festivals, biking, hiking, golf, spas and wellness, and culinary trails that incorporate artisanal producers of cheese, produce and other excellent products.”

While Best of the Alps came together 22 years ago as a response to an aggressive campaign staged by the Rocky Mountains’ tourism board, they understood that with the right approach, the twelve individual regions could sell themselves separately and collectively to a variety of people beyond the ski set in a manner that was organic and free of artificial hype.

One clear advantage is that each area is anchored with villages boasting histories that date back hundreds or thousands of years, as opposed to destinations built from a marketing plan. Alpine village cultural festivals also have an appealing authenticity, given they were originally planned for locals to enable them to maintain generations of cultural traditions. Although eco-tourism is a new trend throughout the world, the regions have maintained a respect for their natural settings for as long as people have been coming to visit.

A skier could travel through each resort area and have a very different experience on each of the slopes.  The same is true for non-skiers, those traveling with children, foodies and culture seekers. Here are examples of what they can look out for when planning their own perfect Alpine vacation:

• Zermatt, the southernmost destination in Switzerland associated with the Matterhorn, has been free of cars since anyone can remember.  It is also regarded as a mecca for mountain climbers, and more recently, bikers, hikers and all kinds of nature lovers.

• Kitzbühel, Austria, has gained recognition as a foodie destination and gathering place for some of Europe’s top young chefs. The region’s villages Aurach, Jochberg and Reith are proximate to farms where top-quality bacon, lamb, beef, milk products, bread and schnapps are sourced.

• St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria, not only boasts superlative winter sports activities, but also standard-bearing luxury hotels, a Ferris wheel, cable car, spa and wellness facilities.

• After 120 years as a leading international destination, Engadin-St. Moritz continues to surprise visitors. This winter marks the opening of the Giardino Mountain resort, already generating a buzz for its spa and cuisine. In November 2011, Martin Dalsass and his wife Lorena took over and revived Restaurant Talvò by Dalsass (formerly Jöhri’s Talvò) in Champfèr. Dalsass is known for his innovative olive oil based recipes.

• Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch are known for their cultural festivals throughout the year as well as their artisanal craft shops and artists.

• The Kirchner Museum in Davos enhances encounters between people, art and landscape. Architecture combines functionality and aesthetic in showcasing the work of renowned artists.

One advantage everybody can agree on is accessibility, and all destinations can be accessed via auto or train from major airports.  SWISS, Austrian, Lufthansa, Air France, Delta and United are among the carriers that can connect North American visitors to the perfect escape.

For more information on all 12 communities, visit www.bestofthealps.com.

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visitBerlin today announced the first nonstop connection between Berlin and its sister city Los Angeles. airberlin’s new service is scheduled to begin on May 11, 2012, offering three weekly flights with Airbus 330-200 equipment. The airline already successfully operates nonstop flights from Miami and New York JFK to Berlin.

“airberlin’s new service is a very significant step to secure long-term success of the gateway Berlin and the city’s new airport BER,” says Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin.  

The USA is Berlin’s most important overseas market. From January through August 2011, 180,000 Americans visited the German capital.

For more information visit www.airberlin.com  or www.visitberlin.de

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Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner made its first landing in Germany on Saturday, 25th June 2011 at 9am, local time. airberlin will be the first airline in Germany to receive the Dreamliner. The Boeing test aircraft ZA001 was welcomed at Berlin-Tegel airport by airberlin, representatives of the manufacturer Boeing and of Berlin Airports with an official ceremony.

Prof. Dr. Rainer Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Berlin Airports, said: “In less than a year we will open the new Airport Berlin-Brandenburg Willy Brandt. The Boeing Dreamliner will become the Berlin aircraft par excellence: An aircraft of the next generation for an airport of the next generation. Designed for 210 to 250 passengers, the Dreamliner is the first medium-sized aircraft for long-haul flights and bridges a gap in the market. The Dreamliner will finally enable airlines like airberlin to offer non-stop long-haul flights from airports other than the major hubs.”

 Greg Delawie, Deputy Chief of Mission U.S. Embassy Berlin: “I am delighted to help celebrate the global launch of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and its first flight to Germany. This is truly a historic occasion, marking the debut of an aircraft that represents the culmination of innovative technologies in design, materials, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort. Moreover, it is fitting that Berlin, a city rich in style, engineering and aviation history, is the site for the Dreamliner’s first ever landing in Germany. I would also like to congratulate airberlin as the first airline in Germany to receive the Boeing Dreamliner 787.”

“We have received great interest and support for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as we have presented it this week in Europe,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “It’s wonderful to be in Berlin today for further validation that this airplane provides the technologies and value that our customers need.”

Added Joachim Hunold, CEO of airberlin: “We are proud to be the first German airline to receive the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. With a specific fuel consumption of 3.6 liters per 100 passenger kilometers, the airberlin fleet already ranks among the most efficient in Europe. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner also sets new standards in the area of fuel efficiency.” 

The test aircraft ZA001 is the first 787 built by Boeing. The 787 stands out first and foremost for its environmental and cost efficiency, cabin comfort and use of state-of-the-art technologies, with a fuel consumption 20% lower than that of other, similar sized aircraft. The first Boeing 787 in airberlin livery is planned to be delivered to the airline in April 2014. A further 17 deliveries are planned between then and August 2019.

(Source: Press Release by airberlin)

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Come visit the Berlin Museumsinsel

Germany’s Largest and Most Northern Cities Each Offer Distinct Urban Feel, Summer Festivals, Relaxing Outdoor Spaces, and Great Dining.

Only ninety minutes apart by high-speed train, Hamburg and Berlin can conveniently be combined in one trip. With their distinctly different yet complementing identities they make for a perfect city pair for anyone looking for unique urban summer experiences.

Whereas creative and energetic Berlin is defined by its recent history and the opportunities of reunification, Hamburg is more established, with classy maritime flair, and the internationality of a city whose livelihood has for centuries been connected with sea commerce.

In late summer Hamburg and Berlin are at their best: the crowds are smaller, the temperatures are perfect and the to-do list is long.

Here are some top reasons to visit Hamburg and Berlin this summer:

Green, Cool and on Water’s Edge

Every Hamburg experience includes a harbor cruise past docks, tug boats, ocean liners and the world’s largest historic warehouse district. Harbor City, Hamburg’s newest development area is extending the maritime experience at this former dock area turned urban hotspot. The pristine inner city Alster lake is the epicenter of outdoor summer activity, such as strolling along its banks, or renting a paddle- or small sail boat.
In 2011, the European Commission awarded it the title of European Green Capital.

Berlin has over 100 miles of waterways and can comfortably be explored by boat. Tours cruise past sights such as Museum Island and the Reichstag, or take you to the outer city lakes. Berlin is a leader in alternative energy development and Germany’s greenest city – 27 percent of its area consist of parks and woods. In 2010, the 600+ acre expanse of Tempelhof airport was converted into a public space with large meadows where kite surfing and skating on the former runways is now all the rage.
Special “Creative Sustainability” and “Green Design” tours show guests everything from eco-hip markets, to green art, and urban gardens. (GoArt Berlin, ID22).

Hamburg and Berlin each boast more bridges than Venice. In the summer, locals catch rays along the cities’ rivers and lakes. Urban beaches are hugely popular in both metropolises; they are ideal places to soak in the local vibe on long summer evenings.

The most popular beach bars in Hamburg are Strand Pauli and the eclectic Strandperle Elbe beach. In Berlin, the Strandbar Mitte and the ultra-trendy Arena Badeschiff are the places to be.

Join the Party: Late Summer Festivals

Late summer events are plentiful in both Berlin and Hamburg. A late-summer selection are:

HAMBURG:
Alster Amusement “Alstervergnügen”
The Alster-Vergnügen festival has been a Hamburg summer highlight for over 30 years. The four-day inner city event features water/air/land acrobatics, concerts, gourmet stands as well as romantic moon-lit nights and fireworks on the Alster lake (September 1-4).

Reeperbahn-Festival
The annual Reeperbahn Festival is a must for music fans. After all, Hamburg is the city where the Beatles were discovered. Featuring new and established names of popular music, the festival’s impressive line-up is complemented by exhibitions, street art events, and screenings. (September 22-24).

BERLIN:
15th Berlin International Beer Festival
Prost! During the 155h annual Berlin International Beer Festival, Karl-Marx-Allee will turn into the world’s longest beer garden and bar, with 300 breweries from 86 countries and some 2,000 brands of the world’s finest brews (August 5-7).

6th Berlin Festival
Around 15,000 music fans are expected to attend two days of live music at the historic Tempelhof Airport. The 2011 line-up of this unique urban rock event will be posted soon at (September 9/10, Berlin Festival).

New Restaurants, Regional Cuisine and Signature Drinks

Berlin and Hamburg are the two German cities with the most Michelin Stars. Culinary experiences are often a modern and creative interpretation of traditional recipes.

Close to two oceans, Hamburg is the city of seafood, and dishes range from a traditional on-the-go Matjes Herring (salt mild herring) sandwich to Asian-inspired haute cuisine.

Fresh seafood and classical northern German dishes are served at Fischereihafen Restaurant. Much talked-about new restaurants are Goldene Gans featuring an outstanding veal with plums and the city’s best chocolate soufflé, and Vier Rosen, where former punk musician turned chef Marcus Schröpfer serves Francophile delicacies.

Berlin’s cuisine is redefining itself just like the rest of the city. Organic farms in the surrounding Brandenburg region supply meats, traditional herbs, and fresh seasonal produce. Berlin is currently experiencing a comeback of traditional German fare, often with a Mediterranean or Asian twist. At the new – and immediately star-rated -Tim Raue, chef Raue serves Asian inspired dishes that provide energy and vitality . Also new and known for high quality homemade dishes are Chipps No 1 and No 2. The famous Curry Wurst and the Turkish Doener are the pillars of Berlin’s street food scene.

Both Hamburg and Berlin serve their own unique summer beer drink: the Alster Wasser (a mix of blond beer and lemon soda) and the Berliner Weisse (special beer with a shot of raspberry or woodruff syrup).

One of a Kind Markets

Hamburg’s Fish Market is well worth getting up for before 5 am on a Sunday morning. Dating back to 1703, Hamburg’s oldest, most traditional open-air market sells all items imaginable. If that’s not enough to wake you up, breakfast and live music will do the trick.

In Berlin, the flea market Trödelmarkt Boxhagener Platz is one the most popular of the city’s roughly 50 flea markets. Some 100 booths sell anything from old records to porcelain, second-hand fashion to antiques and furniture. (Boxhagener Platz 1, Sundays 10 am to 6 pm).

Travel Information

Train tickets between Hamburg and Berlin can be booked online. Check for specials. For local transportation, the Berlin Welcome Card and Hamburg Card offer free public transportation and discounts. Visitor information, events, packages, and bookings at visitBerlin and Hamburg Tourismus.

Source: German National Tourist Office   – www.cometogermany.com

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airberlin flights from New York to Berlin

airberlin is now connecting the two metropolises, New York and Berlin, with a non-stop flight. Flight AB7248 from Berlin to New York was serviced using an Airbus A330-200 with a total capacity for 303 passengers. The flight with 289 passengers on board departed from Berlin-Tegel at 1:00 p.m. and landed at JFK airport in New York at 3:45 p.m at May 1.  The first flight back from New York to Berlin also took place on May 1 at 5:25 p.m and arrived at Berlin Tegel airport at approximately 7:10 a.m, on Monday morning May 2^nd. (Local times)

George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company stated: “We are pleased about the new connection that offers Europeans even more options to visit the City of New York and experience the dynamics of our city. 2011 is boasting many novelties, hotel and restaurant openings and bargain offers. We welcome everyone to discover these new New York City attractions.” Mats Jacobsson, Vice President International Sales airberlin added: “With the new year-round non-stop connection between Berlin and New York, we want to do our part in bringing the two world metropolises closer together and to further strengthen the friendly relationships between Germany and the United States. Together with American Airlines, we are giving passengers from Germany and the USA the opportunity of benefitting from the extensive range of flights offered by the respective partners. Starting this November, we will also gradually upgrade our long-haul product with new seats in economy and business class as well as with modern high-tech in-flight entertainment. The continual further development of our goods and services not only makes us the first choice with many passengers in Germany but increasingly with international travellers. Joining the oneworld airline alliance in the coming year will strengthen this development even further.”

Starting May now airberlin will offer four nonstop flights per week from New York JFK to Berlin. The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In addition to its nonstop flights from New York to Berlin, airberlin also operates nonstop service from Miami to Berlin which began in November 2010. airberlin offers flights from six gateways in North America, including New York JFK, Miami, Fort Myers, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver to the airline”s international hubs in Berlin and Dusseldorf, Germany. Passengers traveling with airberlin on the new service may also take advantage of convenient connections via Berlin to some of Europe’s premier cities such as Zurich, Vienna and Rome, not to mention connecting flights to Tel Aviv in Israel and the nine inter-Germany cities (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Münster-Osnabrück Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg, Saarbrücken and Stuttgart).  Via the airberlin “hub” in Berlin it is also easy to reach major Nordic metropolises such as Copenhagen, Stockholm or Helsinki and the Russian destinations Moscow and St. Petersburg. Passengers wishing to discover North and West Poland may easily travel from Berlin by train or car to cities such as Poznan. Codeshare connecting flights from eight American Airlines destinations are accessible via New York.

On all airberlin flights passengers enjoy the airline’s award-winning service with superior cuisine and on-board entertainment options. In Business Class, there are 24 seats providing passengers with comfort and space offering a pitch of up to 54 inches and a recline of up to 150^o. With a 2-2-2 seat configuration, Business Class passengers are assured of either a window or aisle seat and plenty of leg room.

airberlin is Germany’s second largest airline. The company employs 8,900 people and received more than 10 awards for service and quality in 2010 alone. The fleet comprises 169 aircraft with an average age of five years, making it one of the newest in Europe. Its modern jets ensure a sustainable reduction in harmful emissions in air travel. As one of the most important air travel companies in Europe, airberlin currently flies to 163 destinations in 39 countries. In 2010, it carried 33.6 million passengers. airberlin has signed an application for membership to the global airline alliance oneworld. Full membership is planned for the start of 2012. airberlin has been offering flights on a joint flight number with American Airlines and Finnair since November 2010.

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MS Europa

For the fourth time in a row, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises MS EUROPA is the only cruise ship in the world to be awarded the prestigious Six Star Diamond Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is renowned worldwide for awarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector. Each year the Academy bestows its coveted International Star Diamond Award exclusively to five star establishments that are deemed to be the pinnacle of quality by its esteemed Board of Trustees. The EUROPA was for the first time additionally awarded the Green Star Diamond Award recognizing environmental responsibility, and her new Restaurant Dieter Mueller, launched last year, received a Five Star Diamond plaque, awarded for high quality and superb performance.

The MS EUROPA, continuing to upgrade its superior product has earned its right again to this award, as well as receiving for the first time the Green Star Diamond Award and a Five Star Diamond plaque for its new restaurant.

EUROPA is the first all-suites cruise ship, with staterooms that are never less than 290 square feet, 80% of them having their own veranda, assuring privacy and relaxation. The EUROPA is one of the few ships in the cruise industry that offers guests the largest space per passenger, as well as one of the highest staff passenger ratios, with 280 staff members for max. 408 guests. New to the EUROPA in September 2010, Dieter Mueller became the first award-winning chef to open his own gourmet restaurant onboard the EUROPA. He’s personally on board 70 days a year.

The EUROPA offering international cruises (German/English) ensures English-speaking passengers feel comfortable from the moment they step onboard.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings, inquiries or to request a brochure, please look for your nearest sales agent in your country at www.hl-cruises.com, link customer service.

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Air Berlin’s hub is Duesseldorf, located in Germany’s Western part of the country, with excellent connections to Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart and many European destinations.

Joachim Hunold, CEO Air Berlin, commented on the agreement that is linked to Air Berlin’s plans to join oneworld, the global airline alliance: “We are very pleased that the bilateral agreement will be in place for the start of the winter schedule 2010/11. With our friends at American Airlines we will link our hubs on both sides of the Atlantic to achieve a major increase in our services by operating codeshare flights. Initially we will offer 38 routes, including nine transatlantic routes, as part of this codeshare.”

Tom Horton, President of American Airlines, added: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Air Berlin, the second largest German airline, which has also become one of the most respected airlines in Europe over the past two decades. This relationship will add significant value for our customers by substantially growing our global network. The agreement provides our customers with extensive access to Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, as well as many other business and leisure destinations. Furthermore, Air Berlin’s U.S. services truly complement our three strategic core markets – New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.”

From its New York hub at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), American Airlines offers flights to 56 destinations. The Miami hub of American Airlines is at the heart of an exceptional density of flight connections to 30 destinations in Mexico, Central and South America. In addition, American Airlines offers a network to 23 islands in the Caribbean and six destinations in the Bahamas, which exceeds the services provided by any other airline. From its Los Angeles hub there are 31 connections including four destinations in Hawaii.

Membership of oneworld will provide airberlin passengers with access to a unique, global network. With airberlin joining the alliance, the number of oneworld gateways will rise to 75, while the number of destinations will increase to almost 900 in 150 countries. The combined fleet includes 2,500 aircraft and offers around 9,500 flights per day, carrying 340 million passengers per annum.

More information on  www.airberlin.com and on www.aa.com

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Tickets for the 2 for 1 special can be purchased through the website at airberlin.com/2for1, in the Service Center at 866-266-5588 or through your travel agent. All 2 for 1 routes are marked with the symbol “2for1″ in the fare display.

Airberlin is Germany’s second largest airline. The company currently has over 8,700 employees. In 2009 alone Airberlin received more than 10 awards for service and quality. The fleet, with NIKI, encompasses 169 aircraft with an average age of five years. Consequently Airberlin operates one of the youngest fleets in Europe. The airline’s modern aircraft are extremely fuel-efficient and so provide a lasting contribution to the reduction of aviation emissions. Airberlin is one of the major airlines in Europe and currently flies to 168 destinations in 40 countries (incl. NIKI). In 2009 the airline carried around 28 million passengers. Airberlin has joined the global airline alliance oneworld®. Full membership is planned for the start of 2012. Since November 2010 Airberlin has been operating codeshare flights with American Airlines and Finnair.

*Schedule is subject to change without notice and certain rules and restrictions apply. The fare quoted is a sample fare and it is based on availability, dates of travel and final destination.  Fare offer is valid from JFK and Miami only.

Source by www.airberlin.com

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