|
|
Volume 5, Issue 47, November 20, 2007 |
   |
The new Terminal 3 at Changi International Airport (SIN), long a passenger favorite, is due to open Jan. 8, and more information about its operations has just come to light.
Singapore Airlines, the nation’s flagship carrier, will operate from both T2 and T3; the airline is moving all its long-haul flight departures to the new terminal, while the actual terminal for arrivals will be posted two hours before landing. Travel between terminals will be on the Skytrain automated people-mover, with travel time between terminals no more than four minutes to the farthest reaches.
Four other airlines — United Airlines, Qatar Airways, Jet Airways and China Eastern — will operate from T3, starting occupancy in March.
For more information about the new Changi T3 and other airport recent airport additions, see “Changes in the Air” in the Dec. issue of Global Traveler. 
Opening Dec. 10 to passenger traffic: the 22-mile-long Loetschberg Base Tunnel through the Alps. The new tunnel, designed for train use, will cut between 45 and 75 minutes off rail travel inside Switzerland as well as between Switzerland and Italy. A $3.5 billion project, the tunnel opened to freight traffic this summer. The original Loetschberg tunnel opened in 1913; the new tunnel, which will be used by trains from Basel or Zurich to Brigand or Zermatt and on to Italy (and back), accommodates rail speeds up to 124 mph.
A new word has entered the travel lexicon: Debaucherism, short for “debauchery tourism.” It’s not as, well, debauched as it seems — it’s the term for travel that follows the excessive footsteps of over-the-top celebrities. According to no less a source than the World Travel Markets Global Trends Report 2007, it’s a “work hard, play hard” philosophy akin to “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Top debauchery destinations supposedly include Las Vegas, southern California, New York and Buenos Aires as well as whatever Caribbean islands are trendy among celebs at the moment.
Japan Airlines will open new passenger check-in counters at Narita Airport’s (NRT) Terminal 2 in December, including counters especially for use of JAL Global Club and Sapphire members and 12 new self-check-in machines. The additional check-in options are expected to reduce average passenger waiting times by as much as 50 percent during peak periods.
Jaipur — India’s historic “Pink City” — has a new hotel, the Golden Tulip Jaipur. The 108-room contemporary hotel is WiFi-enabled throughout the entire property and has one restaurant, plus a rooftop bar that offers a barbecue menu. The new hotel also has a business center, meeting rooms, and a rooftop swimming pool.
SMS, or text messaging, is more widely popular in Asia than in the United States, but it’s definitely catching on here, and the latest to extend the franchise is US Airways. Its new “Textus” program is, the airline claims, the first on-demand flight status and frequent-flyer registration program to utilize text messages. Customers can simply use their mobile phones to send their flight number to TEXTUS (839887) and the airline will text back arrival and departure times and gate information. Customers can also use their airport waiting time to join the airline’s frequent-flyer program by sending their name, address and ZIP code to TEXTUS in order to receive frequent-flyer mileage for same-day flights.
Talula Restaurant & Bar
210 23rd St.
Miami Beach, FL
tel 305 672 0778; fax 305 672 0768
www.talulaonline.com
Three years ago the restaurant Talula opened a few blocks from the beach, and its unpretentious design, innovative menu, and husband-and-wife team of chefs/owners have made the restaurant a favorite among locals, and savvy visitors.
Chefs Andrea Curto-Randazzo and her husband, Frank Randazzo, serve a diverse, upscale selection of fish, steak, and fresh salads, while maintaining the feel of a comfortable neighborhood restaurant.
Big windows overlook the street, although there is nothing scenic outside — just a splash of Florida sun, a palm tree or two, and a few low-rise stucco buildings. Located at the northern edge of South Beach, several blocks from the well-worn tourist route along Ocean Drive, it is still an easy walk from the Lincoln Road shopping district. The walls are brick or earthy mustard-color — no tablecloths or doorman here. A lovely canopy-covered outdoor patio is in the back, but the air-conditioned dining room gets most of the action, especially during hot (read “most”) days. Only about 10 tables and a few comfortable booths are inside, so reservations are definitely necessary for weekends.
During a recent lunch visit I ordered the sweet potato bisque, which came with a huge and flavorful sea scallop in the middle of the bowl. It was an excellent soup, warm, thick and spicy, that went well with the homemade French bread. I also used the bread to dip in a dish of fava bean and hummus spread, a house treat brought to every table. The pan-seared yellowtail snapper, with baby bok choy and mashed potatoes, was excellent, although the skin was not as crispy as it should have been. For dessert I passed on the Thai basil-syrup key lime pie, settling instead for the less adventurous, but equally wonderful-looking, fresh berries and ice cream.
Other menu items include prime aged beef from the charcoal grill, local black grouper, and a “cork-braised” Mediterranean octopus salad. While the lunch menu is very reasonable in price, dinner entrees are on the high side, with prices ranging from $26 to $84 for the 32-ounce prime aged tomahawk chop.
I was not sure what to make of the several fish deliveries wheeled in on hand trucks, through the front door and into the kitchen, as water dripped from the boxes near customer tables. Would it have been unusual to see that on a Balearic island seaside café? No. Does it mean the fish served at Talula is market fresh? Yes. Would I eat here again despite the unconventional delivery method? Absolutely.
Score: ••••• Ron Bernthal
This winter marks the 69th year that the famed 21 Club in New York hosts the Salvation Army band on certain December dates. The band will play at special lunch seatings on Dec. 8 and 15 and daily from Dec. 17 through 21, as well as for dinner on Dec. 22-24. A three-course prix-fixe menu is offered, for $66 at lunch and $80 at dinner. As is the tradition, the band passes the hat as part of its holiday fund drive after each performance.
Enter by Dec. 15 for a chance to win 2.5 million Delta SkyMiles, plus $25,000 in spending money, at Delta’s Tickets for Life sweepstakes. Those who enroll and book a Delta flight for travel completed by Jan. 15 are entered automatically, but you can mail in entries according to instructions on the contest site, and be eligible for both the grand prize and the daily drawings for 50,000 miles.
The five deluxe, and far-flung, properties that comprise the Waldorf-Astoria Collection are offering a Discovery Experience to allow guests to immerse themselves in what each particular hotel and its respective locale have to offer. For example, the four-night package at the Qasr Al Sharq in Saudi Arabia includes VIP airport arrival, daily in-room butler-served breakfast, and a city tour of old Jeddah; the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa two-night package includes breakfast, dinner, champagne with strawberries, and massages for two. Other participating hotels are the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa on Maui, the La Quinta Resort & Club in Hollywood, and New York’s Waldorf-Astoria. Package prices are good through mid-February.
To celebrate its first anniversary, The Fleming hotel in Hong Kong is offering a boutique retreat package until Dec. 31. For $190, singles or couples get a suite for one night, cocktail upon arrival, dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Cubix, wine and cheese in the suite, late checkout, and 10 percent off other food and beverage.
British Airways has just announced a big sale to London (LHR) from all its gateway cities in the U.S., starting at $338 round-trip from New York (JFK), but in these days of the strong pound sterling, it gets even better: The fares include two hotel nights in some pretty nice properties (see list on site). Other sample fares: $458 round-trip from Atlanta, $486 from Los Angeles. Deduct another $20 if you register and log in before booking.
