CENA: 9,60 zł (w tym 8% VAT) NR 7-8/2011 (19) JULY / AUGUST 2011
DREAMS TO FULFIL
STOP THE BUG INDEKS 256765
THINGS WE HATE IN HOTELS
Katowice ● Singapore ● London ● Amsterdam ● Seoul ● Fiat Freemont Jedyne, prawdziwe wakacje all inclusive. Lato 2011 – najni˝sze ceny na rynku europejskim.
Ul. Âwi´tokrzyska 36, 00-116 Warszawa Tel: +48 22 455 38 38, [email protected], www.clubmed.pl
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4 EDITORIAL 37 DEALS 60 AMSTERDAM 71 TASTES OF THE Miniature cosmetics which are A multicultural city famous for its WORLD 6 ON TOP useful when you travel canals and freedom is an ideal The charms of the Polish cuisine Hotel and airline news spot for an incentive trip 38 GUIDE 72 WINE 14 TRIED&TESTED Visit to the unique Changi Airport in ■ ■ ■ LIFESTYLE Wine can smell of asphalt Warsaw – Amsterdam – Kiliman- Singapore jaro, KLM Business Class; angelo 62 A BUSINESSPER- 74 BUSINESS MOTO Katowice, Radisson Blu Elizabete 4 2 HOTELS SON ON HOLIDAY New Fiat Freemont Riga; Crowne Plaza Hong Kong; 101 things that irritate hotel guests Da Balaia – the Portuguese Club Havet Dźwirzyno; Belvedere War- Med 76 SEOUL saw restaurant 48 STARWOOD 4 hours in the Korean capital The offer of Spa salon at Sopot 66 GOLF 26 BT CULTURALLY Sheraton hotel Our report on Dr Irena Eris Ladies 78 BT POLAND Books, music, and games worth Golf Cup IN ENGLISH trying 50 ORBIS Holidays for families in hotels of 68 TECHNO 82 ASK PETER ■ ■ ■ REPORTS Novotel chain Gadgets which may be useful on We answer all your questions holiday voyages regarding travel and journeys 28 CURRENCY 52 MEDICINE Exchanging your money abroad Food poisoning while on the road can cause problems can be very dangerous 30 THE EVENT ■ ■ ■ DESTINATIONS Dreamliner in Warsaw. Boeing 787 visits Okęcie 56 CONFERENCES Let’s meet in London. 34 REPORT The most unusual clubs of the Online travel agencies English capital 28
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 3 elcome on board. We are truly pleased to Club Med is a chain that offers all-inclusive say those words. This is because Business vacations at its resorts around the world. This month W Traveller Poland has for long been present we look closer at the luxurious Da Balaia resort in on LOT’s aircraft, but so far only in the Business Portugal. We also write about the tricks of trade of Class cabin. In the following weeks, however, we online travel agencies, and analyze the issues will also be available for all LOT’s passengers. related to currency conversion. You will learn here We admit, we really like big planes, and if they are how to exchange your money without unnecessary even larger and more impressive, we like them even losses. more. Our sympathy isn’t of course the only reason Finally, we invite you to London, Amsterdam and why the cover of this issue features the famous Seoul, recommending you the best way of spend- Dreamliner, wearing the new livery of our national air ing 4 hours there. I hope that you will also enjoy carrier. Boeing's new aircraft arrived in Warsaw just reading other articles we have prepared in this for a day, but it’s expected to join LOT’s fl eet next issue. Have a nice and peaceful fl ight. year. We are looking forward to it. Let’s stick with aircraft, or more specifi cally, with airports, as this month we write a report on a very special place. No matter what airport ranking you look into, you will always see Singapore Changi airport around the top of the list. This is hardly surprising, because it’s a place which in just 30 years of its existence has become not only a trans- portation hub, but also a huge attraction by itself. Let's now go to the ground and see what's going on in hotels, because we like them, as well. Sometimes, however, we are totally fed up with the conditions they offer. Do you want to know more? Check the article where we list 101 reasons why people hate hotels. In this issue we also describe our (mostly positive) impressions on Radisson Blu Elizabete in Riga, Crowne Plaza in Hong Kong, Havet – a seaside hotel in Dźwirzyno, and Angelo Robert Grzybowski hotel in Katowice. Publisher BT Poland
Read more details! Visit businesstraveller.pl
Advertising, sponsorship Business Traveller Wydawnictwo G+J Gruner+ Jahr Polska Managing director Julian Gregory Sp.z o.o. & Co. Sp. Komandytowa Perry Publications, Cardinal House, 39-40 Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4TE Agnieszka Wierzbicka-Baxter – Dyrektor tel. +44 (0)20 76 47 63 30 [email protected] www.businesstraveller.com Aneta Nowakowska Business Traveller Poland [email protected] In the US, Business Traveler is published at 303 Fifth ul. Świętokrzyska 36, 00-116 Warszawa Olga Sztąberska, [email protected] Avenue, 1308, NY 10016, tel 1 212 725 3500. In Germany, tel. +48 22 455 38 14, +fax +48 22 455 38 13 Business Traveller is published at Schulstrasse 34, 80634 Magdalena Świć, [email protected] www.businesstraveller.pl Munich, tel 89 167 9971, fax 89 167 9937. In Denmark, Editor-in-Chief Wojciech Chełchowski Biuro Reklamy G+J Corporate Media Business Traveller is published at Rymarksvej 46, 2900 [email protected] Małgorzata Teodorczyk – Dyrektor Hellerup, tel 45 3311 4413, fax 45 3311 4414. In Hungary, Deputy Editor-in-Chief / Editorial Assistant [email protected] Business Traveller is published at 1074 Budapest, Munkas utca 9, tel 36 1266 5853. In Hong Kong, Andrzej Czuba Anna Dembska, [email protected] [email protected] Business Traveller Asia-Pacific and China are published Monika Łodej, [email protected] at Suite 405 4/F Chinachem Exchange Square, 1 Hoi Art Director Dejan Gospodarek [email protected] Anita Michalska, [email protected] Wan Street, Quarry Bay, tel 852 2594 9300, fax 852 2519 6846. In the Middle East, Business Traveller Middle East Justyna Badowska, [email protected] DTP studio CARRY is published jointly by Motivate Publishing, PO Box 2331, Wydawnictwo R & S Media Sp. z o.o. Bożena Zielnik, [email protected] Dubai UAE, tel 9714 282 4060, and Perry Publications. ul. Świętokrzyska 36, 00 -116 Warszawa Distibution, subscription In Africa, Business Traveller Africa is published by Future tel. +48 22 455 38 33, fax+ 48 22 455 38 13 TM Media, Al. Jana Pawla II, 61/lok 239 Publishing (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 3355, Rivonia 2128, South Publisher Robert Grzybowski tel.+48 22 252 80 38 Africa, tel 27 11 803 2040. [email protected] fax +48 22 252 55 07 © 2009 Perry Publications Ltd – Coordinator Wojciech Tymiński Printing house a subsidiary of Panacea Publishing
COVER PHOTO: LOT / DEJAN GOSPODAREK PHOTO: LOT COVER [email protected] Drukarnia TINTA International Ltd, United Kingdom
4 | LIPIECJULY / AUGUST/ SIERPIEŃ 2011 2010 Visit businesstraveller.com LIPIEC / SIERPIEŃ 2010 | 5 ono top
LOT TELEGRAM LOT TELEGRAM LOT TELEGRAM LOT A New Route To Donetsk A New Hotel In the early June LOT Polish Airlines launched a new proof of our carrier’s policy of pushing toward the East. route from Warsaw to the Donetsk, Ukraine. Donetsk, Flights between Warsaw and Donetsk will be held In Wrocław with a population of over 500,000, is the fourth largest three times a week (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri- city of Ukraine. The Polish carrier assumes that the days at 10.30 pm, returning on Tuesdays, Thursdays, new three-star Marshal hotel located just the connection will mostly be used by transit passengers Saturdays at 4.50 am). The fl ights will be operated by opposite of Wrocław’s main railway station, travelling through Warsaw to Western Europe and Embraer 170 or Embraer 175 aircraft. The fl ight to Ahas just begun its operation. This intimate place features 33 exclusive rooms which feature the North America. Not to mention the fact that Donetsk Donetsk will take 2 hours and 10 minutes, while the widest beds among the hotels of similar standard in is one of the four host cities for Euro 2012. The in- return fl ight to Warsaw 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Wrocław. Marshall is also a conference and banquet vestment made to launch this connection is a further price for a roundtrip ticket starts at PLN 329. centre, consisting of three rooms with a total area of 150 square metres. In other words, the hotel is friend- ly for both business and individual tourists, thanks to a wide range of room types - from standard through large family rooms, up to the mysterious Room of the Marshal, which hides a story of Marshal Józef Piłsudski himself. Promotional prices prepared for the opening of the hotel start at PLN 279.
carrier’s fl eet. The machine will simply advertise Poland Promoted Poland. This is a continuation of the „Move Your Imagination” campaign, popularizing our country, LOT Polish Airlines and Polish Tourist Organisa- which sparked a sensation at the fair in Berlin. Prob- tion agreed on the design of a special livery for the ably prior to Euro 2012 Cup, there will be more such newest Embraer 195, which has recently joined our promotional campaigns. That’s a very good idea. DEJAN GOSPODAREK Sheraton Celebrates million guests have visited War- saw’s Sheraton Hotel during its 1. 5 15 years of operation. To cele- brate the hotel’s anniversary a Crystal Ga- la was held, which gathered Sheraton’s customers, friends and business partners. Among the guests were:Eve Kuklińska, Bea- ta Tadla, Karina Kuncewicz, Peter Zelt, Alex- ander Nieśpielak and Jacek Karnowski. The gala was complimented by the live music by Me, Myself & I, and Kind of Blue bands.
6 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 W NOVOTEL FILM AUTA 2 STUDIA DISNEY • PIXAR WJEŻDŻA NA EKRANY. ZATRZYMAJ SIĘ Z TEJ OKAZJI W HOTELACH NOVOTEL. PLN ODJAZDOWE ATRAKCJE I UPOMINKI Z FILMU AUTA 2 CZEKAJĄ! REZERWUJ TERAZ NA 0 >> NOVOTEL.COM I ACCORHOTELS.COM ZA POBYT DZIECI* ZYSŁUGUJE DZIECIOM, KTÓRYCH OPIEKUNOWIE KORZYSTAJĄ ZE ŚNIADANIA. OPIEKUNOWIE KORZYSTAJĄ DZIECIOM, KTÓRYCH ZYSŁUGUJE
w kinach od 29 czerwca
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 7 ©2011 Disney/Pixar *BEZPŁATNE ZAKWATEROWANIE I ŚNIADANIE DLA 2 DZIECI DO LAT 16 DZIELĄCYCH POKÓJ Z RODZICAMI LUB DZIADKAMI. BEZPŁATNE ŚNIADANIE PR ŚNIADANIE DZIADKAMI. BEZPŁATNE Z RODZICAMI LUB POKÓJ 16 DZIELĄCYCH DLA 2 DZIECI DO LAT I ŚNIADANIE ZAKWATEROWANIE *BEZPŁATNE ono top
Summer In The Hotels Of Orbis Group
here are beautiful beaches, lakes, for- ests and mountain trails, waiting for T all those who long for a moment of relaxation. Hotels of Orbis Group have pre- pared a unique offer which will satisfy even the most demanding tourists. Mercure Kasprowy Zakopane will pro- vide its guests with the highland hospital- ity combined with exciting adventures. The Two tickets to Multikino cinema and a stay will start with a welcome campfi re with double ticket to a cruise aboard „Dragon” Wet Work snacks. The „Heavenly Holidays” package boat or a visit to Gdynia Aquarium - these ony Ericsson carries on its quick devel- includes ATV rides, as well as white water are some of the attractions prepared for the Sopment of Xperia smartphones series. rafting. The guests of the hotel will also be guests of Orbis Gdynia hotel. The package At recent electronics fair in Singapore, the able to relax in the indoor or outdoor swim- „Precious moments by the sea” includes Japanese manufacturer has shown a model ming pool. The youngest ones will have a renting a bicycle or free use of an indoor called active. It’s a rugged, sturdy telephone lot of fun at Mini Club, while teenagers may swimming pool. The guests will also receive designed for those who like to live fast and join Junior Club. a one-off voucher to the sauna. hard. Apart from the traditional advantages, the Those who love the Giant Mountains, will Those who love Masurian atmosphere smartphone is dust and water resistant, and always feel welcome at Skalny Karpacz ho- are warmly welcomed at Mercure Mrongo- can be operated even with wet hands. tel. „The Summer in the Giant Mountains” via Resort & Spa. The hotel’s summer offer The device has pre-installed sports appli- package includes aqua aerobics, Nordic everyday features different activities such cations that will help you control your physi- walking and cycling tours. The guests of as music workshops, driving on a kart track, cal fi tness. The users will be able to plan their the hotel will also go on off-road rides or and concerts. There will also be family out- own training route, using the built-in GPS, ba- rock climbing. The youngest will have fun ings with roasting sausages by the fi re. rometer and compass. Also your heart rate and taking part in various active events. For more information go to accorhotels.com pulse can be monitored here in real-time. COOL GADGET
t the beginning of June, the carrier’s fl eet consisted of Wizzair Growing In Strength 36 Airbus A320 - one of the most popular aircraft in the A world. At the end of the month, the number increased to 38. Another plane has just taken off from the airport in Tou- louse in southern France, where all machines undergo com- missioning, directly to Budapest. The airline wants to expand its fl eet over the next 5 years to the head-spinning number of 132 aircraft. The Hungarian low-cost carrier now serves an average of 10.2 million passengers a year. Being the largest airline in the Central and Eastern Europe, it offers 214 routes to 26 countries. All of this to cater to a very fast growing mar- ket. It turns out that every 15 years, the number of passen- gers travelling by air increases two-fold.
8 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 BEZGRANICZNIE KORZYSTNE PKO KONTO BEZ GRANIC
Pomysłowość Szymona nie zna granic. Jako asystent ds. personalnych zatrudnił w PKO Banku Polskim bezgranicznie odpowiednich ludzi do pracy nad nową, wyjątkową ofertą. Dzięki temu możesz być pewien, że zakładając PKO Konto bez Granic, otrzymujesz następujące korzyści:
ù wypłaty ze wszystkich bankomatów w Polsce i na świecie ù krajowe przelewy przez internet, telefon lub w oddziale ù kartę debetową do konta ù zlecenia stałe oraz polecenia zapłaty ù dostęp do bankowości telefonicznej i internetowej
A to wszystko jedynie za 15 zł miesięcznie!
Niech już nic Cię nie ogranicza, by zajrzeć na www.pkobp.pl lub do jednego z oddziałów PKO Banku Polskiego i założyć PKO Konto bez Granic!
www.pkobp.pl infolinia: 801 302 302, +48 81 535 65 65 (opłaty zgodne z taryfą operatora)
Oprocentowanie zmienne PKO Konta bez Granic wynosi 0,01% w skali roku (wg stanu na 16.05.2011) i nie uwzględnia opłat pobieranych zgodnie z taryfą prowizji i opłat bankowych. Materiał nie stanowi oferty w rozumieniu art. 66 kodeksu cywilnego i służy wyłącznie celom informacyjnym. Szczegóły oferty, w tym taryfa prowizji i opłat bankowych, są dostępne w placówkach PKO Banku Polskiego i na www.pkobp.pl. JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 9 ono top
Singapore PKP: BEER AND To Codeshare EURO 2012 or those who like to drink beer while travelling F by train, we have very good news. Legislative changes have now allowed for the introduction of this drink to bars of WARS catering service. It will happen already this summer. That’s a nice change, but the most important With Australia challenge facing the Polish rail service is the in- coming Euro 2012. There’s merely one year left ingapore Airlines and Virgin Group Aus- between Singapore and Australia as well as to the championship, and the great countdown tralia have signed an agreement that will further routes to provide convenient connec- began with a Warsaw event called „One Year To enable them to establish a long term co- tions. The carriers also plan to take a joint ac- S UEFA Euro 2012.” Some of the attractions of the operation. The agreement will enable both tion in the fi eld of sales, marketing and dis- event were the „Illuminated Bridge” show, a pa- carriers to codeshare on each others’ inter- tribution. The alliance will link the extensive national and domestic fl ights. It will also pro- network of international connections offered rade of steam locomotives, and a concert of Afro- vide passengers with the benefi ts of participa- by Singapore Airlines with a number of cities mental pop group. tion in loyalty programmes, business lounges throughout Australia and the Pacifi c, where at airports, and coordinate fl ight schedules Virgin Australia operates. Qbik In Warsaw Finnair: More Traffi c he traffi c on Finnair’s routes Finnair from Poland has grown by 36% in the fi rst 4 months of this year. A particularly large increase has been noted in the T number of passengers fl ying to Asia. From January to April this number in- creased by 45 percent in relation to the same period last year. The most popular were the fl ights to Bangkok, Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai. More passengers (up by 117 percent) benefi ted from Finnair’s business class. It’s worth noting that start- ing March 2011, Finnair offers daily fl ights from Gdańsk to Hel- sinki, thanks to which Asian cities have become more acces- oronicza Qbik is a project by Ghelamco Residential at Moko- sible for passengers departing from the north of Poland. tów district in Warsaw. The investment is the fi rst housing The airline also offer fl ights to Helsinki three times W complex created according to the concept of soft lofts, or a day from Warsaw and twice a week from Cracow. fl ats looking like traditional lofts, but built from scratch. There will be 350 apartments, including 183 two-story ones, ranging in size from 32 sq m to 206 sq m. Qbik Woronicza complex will be opened in 2012. Golden Tulip In Warsaw Fru For Holiday ouvre Hotels Group, the new hotel group cre- he results of a survey carried out by fru.pl Internet ated at the beginning of April 2011 through T portal indicate that Spain, Italy and, surprisingly the L a merger of Louvre Hotels and Golden Tulip U.S. are the holiday destinations which are the most of- Hospitality Group, focuses on intensive develop- ment of the Golden Tulip brand. The fi rst hotel of ten chosen by the Poles. More than half of several hun- this chain, which is called the Golden Tulip Centre dred participants in the survey want to spend the holi- Warsaw, will appear on the Polish market through day abroad. Our favourite cities are Barcelona, Rome, the conversion of Kyriad Prestige Warsaw hotel. The Warsaw’s Centre). The other seven are Campanile Venice, Paris and London. For two years now there has hotel will be thoroughly renovated during the sum- hotels. In Wroclaw, Louvre Hotels Group has start- been a growing interest in fl ights to the United States, ed the construction of a complex consisting of the mer months and will be the fl agship facility of Lou- especially to cities such as Miami, New York, Chica- vre Hotels Group in Poland. The hotel chain has 10 Campanile and Première Classe hotels. Together go or San Francisco, as well as the Far East – mainly hotels in Poland, three of which are located in War- they will offer 280 rooms, and the opening is sched- saw (Première Classe, Campanile and Golden Tulip uled for the end of the fi rst quarter of 2012. China and India. This year almost 20 % of users of fru. pl will spend their holiday in one of those countries.
10 | JULY / AUGUST 2011
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A Guide For Parents ufthansa has prepared an on- line guide for parents, travel- L ling by plane with children. The guide contains a set of practical guide- lines and tips to make the fl ight as trou- ble free as possible. Some of the top- ics covered by the guide include the tips on booking a ticket, preparation of baggage, and alleviating anxiety caused by our child’s fi rst air journey. Each year, about 1.5 million children travel on board Lufthansa’s aircraft. Special beds for babies are available at no additional charge on all interconti- nental fl ights of the German carrier. For young passengers travelling through Frankfurt airport, Lufthansa has pre- Chile And pared a special zone with playpens, painting tables and consoles, as well Ecuador With as games for older children. Morocco Differently ravellers may now discover new areas of Moroc- selves, the king has decided that in a few years time T co. Until now, the most popular route was the one the resort will offer thousands of beds in high qual- to Casablanca and Agadir on the coast, as well as ity hotels. Today, there are only three fi ve-star ho- AN Airlines – one of the leading air carriers trips to the fabulous Marrakech. tels there. They are new, located next to each other in South America, which serves 76 des- Now you can venture north of the country, just be- and work in the all inclusive formula. You can spend L tinations across the world, actively sup- low the border with Algeria to the area of of Saidia there a week or two, using the offer prepared by Ex- ports cultural activities in Poland. on the Mediterranean. The climate is very pleasant imtours offi ce. Tourists fl y by a chartered plane to the In June, the Ethnographic Museum in War- there, providing a perfect holiday. The town, which town of Oujda, where a modern airport has recent- saw and “Pro Chile” Trade Commission at the once was a large fi shing village, will soon become ly been built. Then there’s an hour long bus trans- Chilean Embassy, organized a seminar named a new holiday resort. As the Moroccans say them- fer to the hotel. “Fly With Us To Chile”. Tour operators and travel agency representa- tives were provided with information on Chile, its tourist attractions, and how to get there with the Chilean airline. The seminar ended with handi- crafts exhibition, named “Mapuche – the seeds of Chile”. A gala concert, an exhibition of photographs, a fi lm show and food tasting were some of the attractions to celebrate the National Day of Ec- uador. This is a reminder of two events: the Pichincha Volcano Battle (24 May 1822), which ended 13 years of struggle for independence in Latin America, and an event called Primer Grito Libertario (the First Cry of Independence) of 10 August 1809. In Quito, the troops led by An- tonio José de Sucre defeated the army of the King of Spain and forcing him to grant Ecuador its independence.
12 | JULY / AUGUST 2011
ORA1R1009-03.VOICE PROMO-3_BUSINESS-TRAVELLER_208X275.indd 1 6/15/11 10:35 AM podróż zmienia się z Orange
W Orange dla Firm rozumiemy, że kiedy podróżujesz, chcesz mieć fi rmę pod ręką. Dlatego teraz Klienci Orange w promocji Ekstra Nagrody mogą wybrać 2 atrakcyjne pakiety: n pakiet minut na rozmowy w roamingu w krajach UE – do 11 godzin w abonamencie, n pakiet MB na przesyłanie danych w roamingu w krajach UE – do 154 MB w abonamencie, n pakiet minut do wszystkich sieci – do 6600 minut w abonamencie, n pakiet SMS-ów do wszystkich sieci – do 6600 SMS-ów w abonamencie.
Nokia Nokia C7 E7 Communicator od 1 zł + VAT od 1 zł + VAT biznes zmienia się z Szczegóły w regulaminie promocji Ekstra Nagrody na www.orange.pl/dlafi rm JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 13
ORA1R1009-03.VOICE PROMO-3_BUSINESS-TRAVELLER_208X275.indd 1 6/15/11 10:35 AM Boeing 777-200
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30 31 32 33 INFO KLM fl ies from Warsaw to Am- Nearly 15 minutes before the sched- BOARDING On collecting my board- 34 35 sterdam three times a day. The fi rst fl ight uled departure, all passengers were on ing pass with seat 4D, I had a little time 36 37 takes off at 6.05 am, while the other ones board, so the captain asked for permis- left to wander about the airport in Am- 38 39 at 12.45 pm, and 5.05 pm. The fl ight to sion to start and we headed towards the sterdam, which is considered to be one 40 41 Schiphol Airport takes two hours. runway. 15 minutes into the fl ight, the of the nicest in Europe. However, once 42 43 CHECK-IN I chose the fi rst of the afore- “fasten your seatbelts” lights turned off again, I had no time to visit any business 44 mentioned connections (KL 1362), and the in-fl ight service began. The ear- lounge. Boarding started at 9.15 am, and as I was about to take another fl ight from ly breakfast consisted of a casserole with business-class passengers had a priority Amsterdam. I turned up at Okęcie just zucchini, potatoes, tomatoes and mush- access to embark the plane. after 5.00, which was definitely a good rooms. This was served with cheese, THE SEAT World Business Class on time to avoid the street congestion. I had ham, yogurt, jam and bread. The cab- KLM’s B777-200 is a new solution. The Business a booking in business class, and although in crew were very nice and friendly, ad- large blue seats which are typical of this Class Economy you can easily check-in online, I didn’t dressed everyone by name, offering airline, occupy the front part of the cab- Class do that. I headed towards the Business drinks and asking the passengers about in. They are confi gured 2+3+2 across Class check-in counter. There wasn’t any their next fl ights. Those who continued five rows. The state-of-the-art seats Toilet queue at the counter and I didn’t check their trip from Amsterdam, received the are 51 centimetres wide and the seat in any luggage, so just a moment lat- information on which gate they should pitch reaches 152 cm, so there’s enough Kitchen er I was able to collect my boarding pass go to. This is how I learned that my next space provided. The seat reclines 175 de- with seat 2C. aircraft departs from gate D 14. grees into an almost fl at bed which is 190 BOARDING The security control pro- The two hours passed quickly and at centimetres long. It’s electrically adjust- cedure went very smoothly, especial- exactly 7.43 am, we landed at Schiphol able, and has 3 pre-set positions: upright ly because I took the fast track for busi- Airport (almost half an hour before the (for take-off and landing), a “z-shaped” ness passengers. I didn’t have time to scheduled time). relax position, and a sleeping position. visit the business lounge since board- THE TRANSFER But before I got to the The seat has an adjustable headrest, ing, which was set for 5.30 pm, had gate, I had to leave Schengen zone and go lumbar support with massage function, already begun. When I arrived at to the transfer desk to collect my board- Gate 24, I handed my boarding pass and ing card (you can also print a boarding went through the boarding bridge on pass for yourself by using one of the user- board Boeing 737-400. friendly self-service transfer machines). THE FLIGHT The business class on the The transfer also meant an additional plane consisted of 15 seats. My seat, 2C, passport control. The fl ight to Kiliman- was an isle one. The seats in the business jaro takes off from Amsterdam every day section are arranged in 3+3 confi gura- at 10.20 am, but depending on the day of tion, however, all the middle ones are left the week it’s assigned one of three num- unocuppied. The wide, comfortable seat bers (0567, 0569, 0571), and takes near- offers a lot of space (the seat pitch is al- ly 8,5 hours. The destination port is one most 82 centimetres). We were warmly of the largest international airports in welcomed by the cabin crew and offered Tanzania, which is visited each year by water and orange juice. nearly half a million passengers.
14 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 personal reading light, cup holders and and beverages. KLM has recently em- its own phone, in-seat power and an in- ployed Therese Boer – a well known arm video screen measuring 10.4 inches Dutch fi gure – to be the airline’s som- (26cm). State-of-the-art AVOD is also in melier. What’s more, her husband, a cu- place with handheld (seat-based) control linary master Jonnie Boer, has creat- units and access to over 60 movies. ed the present menu for KLM. They THE FLIGHT Business passengers were both run De Librije restaurant which welcomed on board with champagne or has been awarded three Michelin stars, freshly squeezed orange juice. Each of us which means that it’s one of the top 50 also received a free amenity kit consist- restaurants in the world. The dishes are ing of an eye mask, socks, lip balm, pen, served on tableware designed specifi cal- SEAT CONFIGURATION 2+3+2 comb, ear plugs, toothpaste and tooth- ly by Marcel Wanders. SEAT WIDTH 51 cm brush. We also received blankets and As an appetizer we were served SEAT PITCH 152 cm headphones. smoked lamb ham with marinated white CONTACT swiss.com Just over 20 minutes after the take- asparagus, while for the main course we off, when we reached the cruising alti- could choose among chicken stew in ness Class passenger a gift; a Delft Blue tude, the cabin crew offered us a drink. Zwolle mustard with vegetables, fried miniature Dutch canal house, fi lled with The drink list was remarkably long. cod in coconut sauce, or chopped beef jenever – a traditional Dutch, juniper- You could order a Billecart-Salmon with parsnips, onions and olives. This, of fl avoured gin. A nice souvenir. champagne, Chilean white wine Lap- course, followed by cakes, ice cream, and ARRIVAL We landed a few minutes ostolle Casablanca Valley, French Do- beverages. About an hour before landing, ahead of the schedule. A few moments maine de Lery, Spanish Verdejo Cim- we a second hot meal was served – this later I was already standing in the queue brone; red Pinot Noire Villa Maria 2009 time in an Indonesian style. to get my visa, which costs $ 60. from New Zealand, French Gayda Cu- The fl ight went in a great atmosphere, VERDICT It’s a good connection from vee Occitane 2007 or the Australian Lil- as KLM’s cabin crew is really well pre- Europe to Africa, with excellent cuisine lypilly Sweet Harvest. There was al- pared and extremely helpful. For many and service. so a vast selection of tasty spirits, juices years now, KLM offers every World Busi- Jakub Olgiewicz
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 15 HOTEL: KATOWICE BUSINESSB FACILITIES angelo al- sos stands out thanks to its spacious and angelo modernm conference and business cen- tre,t which is the largest in the region. All thet rooms (there are 12 of them) cover WHAT’S IT LIKE? Hotel can be seenn thet area of 1,350 sq m, have access to the from a long distance, because it hass daylight,d and are adjacent to a spacious a unique design. It’s hard not to noticee foyer.f They can accommodate up to 700 its name that adorns the entire build-- peoplep and feature modern equipment ing. Angelo Katowice was launched lastt necessaryn for business meetings. There’s year, and is the 6th hotel of the chain inn alsoa free Internet access there. Europe. It is managed by Vienna Inter-- RESTAURANTSR AND BARS Sun- national Hotels & Resorts. You can fi ndd llight restaurant serves buffet breakfast here references to contemporary design,, ffrom 6.30 am to 10.30 am. From 4 pm on latest technology and distinctive colourss wweekdays and Saturdays and from noon inspired by the Far East. All this makes guests can use the hotel car park which on Sundays, the restaurant offers a light a very positive impression. can accommodate up to 148 vehicles. menu of international dishes and region- The décor was designed by Veronica ROOM FACILITIES The hotel has 181 al specialties. The menu is seasonal, so Jurkowitsch. The atmosphere of open- well-equipped double rooms, as well the dishes change every three months. ness and the feel of the Orient can be as 17 suites and 5 junior suites. There JazzBar is a place where, you can re- felt from the very moment of entering are no rooms 9 and 13 which is a tribute lax in the atmosphere of the 70s, order- the hotel. The spacious lobby was creat- international prejudices. ing from a wide selection of drinks and ed with bold colour combinations – an- All rooms are decorated in the typical snacks. The place is also a winter garden, thracite black, coral red, warm yellow angelo style, with the dominance of yel- where small meetings and dancing par- and white. Oriental chandeliers are eye- low, red, white and black. Room ameni- ties are organized. catching, and the black and white jazz ties include air conditioning, coffee and LEISURE FACILITIES The jazz rela- wallpaper highlights the fact of the ho- tea making facilities, the Internet ac- tions of the hotel, which are highlighted tel’s connection to this style of music. cess, an LCD TV, a DVD player, a mini in the interior design, are also strength- Jazz motifs also appear in the photo- bar, safe suitable for laptop, a chair and ened by the “Jazz Thursdays” with live graphs which are displayed in the lob- a desk. The spacious bathrooms are music. Hotel guests can also relax in the by, as well as in the dining and confer- equipped with underfl oor heating and Fitness Studio which features extensive ence area. The corridors feature artistic a shower or bath. You will also fi nd there cardio equipment section and a sauna. photos of tourist attractions in Katowice a hair dryer and carefully selected sets VERDICT angelo Hotel Katowice ap- and the region. of cosmetics. peared on the map of Katowice one year WHERE IS IT? angelo Katowice Hotel For the most demanding business ago and has since become the leading ho- is located in the city centre, just 500 me- guests, angelo offers two executive fl oors. tel in Silesia. This four star hotel com- ters from the famous Spodek arena and They are equipped with computer sta- bines a stylish design and high quality the main railway station. Getting there tions with Internet access, coffee sta- service. from the airport in Katowice Pyrzowice tions and bar with fresh fruit. The suites, Jan Janowski takes about 35 minutes, depending on thanks to their kitchenettes, are not only the traffic. Near the hotel there are 3 an option for guests longing for a bit of CONTACT Angelo Hotel Katowice, ul. Sokolska 24, main trunk roads out of Katowice. This luxury, but also for those wishing to stay 40-086 Katowice, tel.: +48 32 783 81 00; guarantees quick access to all the cities for a longer period of time. The hotel is angelo-katowice.pl of the Silesian agglomeration. Motorized accessible for the disabled. PRICE A single room costs 114 EURO.
16 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 17 HOTEL: RIGA Radisson Blu Elizabete
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Riga is a beautiful city. It attracts more tourists and business guests. No wonder then, that a new 5-star Radisson Blue hotel was built here. The multi-story building is one of several ho- tels belonging to the chain in the capital of Latvia. It’s consistent with the policy of Rezidor Group, the brand owner, which strongly emphasizes its presence in the Baltic region. Hotel Elizabete is a mod- ern place, with architecturally very in- teresting glass atrium, which is extreme- ly spacious and which makes a huge and instant impression on the guests. WHERE IS IT? The Radisson in Riga is located in the heart of the Latvian capi- tal, near the Daugava river. It’s very close- ly located to the very charming Old Town, and the most important business centres in the city. The airport is only 15 kilome- tres away from the hotel, and getting there takes only 20 minutes. The railway sta- tion and the central bus station are also situated quite close – around 2 kilometres from the hotel. The hotel provides very fast access to many attractions in Riga (and there is a lot to visit), because the city has a very rich history. It’s certainly worth immersing yourself in the charm of small, old town streets, visiting the ca- thedral, and seeing the Statue of Liberty, which stands in place of a former monu- ment of Tsar Peter I. ROOM FACILITIES Radisson Blu in Riga offers 228 comfortable rooms. All of them feature air conditioning, free WiFi, cable and pay TV, a work desk, a minibar, a safe, a hairdryer, as well as toiletries in the bathroom. The rooms are divided into four categories: Standard, Business Class (there are 18 of them), Junior Suite (3 such bedrooms), and 1 Suite. The stand- ard rooms are decorated in quiet colours with colourful elements. They are 29 sq m large. Business Class rooms are slight-
CONTACT Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel Riga, Elizabetes Street 73, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia Tel. +371 6 778 5555 radissonblue.com PRICE The price for a standard room with breakfast, booked online at the end of June, started at €87.
18 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 ly larger. Guests in these rooms will rel- ideal venue for smaller events. It features ish in special touches like complimentary two elegant conference rooms equipped in-room breakfast, bathrobe and slippers with high quality audio and video equip- and free movies. The bathroom in Busi- ment. A large TV screen is ideal for con- ness Class rooms is larger, with a large ference calls and presentations. Of course, bathtub and a comfortable shower. The also here the guests have access to free guests to the rooms can also take advan- broadband Internet access. The hotel tage of the turndown service. Junior Suite provides a dedicated service staff and is a spacious place with a separate living catering. room. The wooden fl oors blend perfect- BARS AND RESTAURANTS C.U.T ly with the modern furniture. The bath- restaurant is a modern place where we room is much larger here and the guests can have breakfast served from 6.30 am will fi nd there various luxury cosmetics. to 10.30 am (on weekends from 7.00 am Junior Suites also feature Nespresso cof- to 11.00 am), lunch (the restaurant has fee machines. The Suite of Elizabete hotel a special offer Business Lunch from is the room of the highest category. It’s, in noon until 3.00 pm) as well as dinner. fact, a spacious apartment with the fl oor The menu is varied, with an internation- area of 70 sq m. The table and chairs, as al fl air. You will fi nd here a selection of LEISURE FACILITIES Elizabete ho- well as other furniture in the suite resem- Italian, Asian and grilled dishes. C.U.T al- tel aims mostly at business guests who ble the design of the 60s. The apartment so serves delicious scallops, grilled salm- are busy with their everyday activities, so has a separate, cosy bedroom, as well as on steaks, and great Argentine beef steaks. the fi tness offer isn’t particularly exten- a living room, with separate work and lei- There are also great desserts and wines, sive here. The guests will fi nd here a well- sure corners. There is also a dining table. especially those made in the New World. equipped exercise room, equipped with The large bathroom, apart from the bath The restaurant’s bar is open from 9.00 am high-quality machines, and a Finnish and the shower, also features a sauna. to 1.00 am. It serves various snacks, as well sauna. BUSINESS FACILITIES The business as beer, wine and cocktails. The hotel of- OCENA t’s a luxury hotel for those com- facilities of Elizabete Hotel may not be fers early breakfast for those who depart ing to Riga for business. Convenience, In- huge, but the quality of service for busi- from the capital of Latvia in the morning ternet access, fi ne dining. ness meetings is very high. The hotel is an – they can order a meal as early as 4.30 am. Ryszard Kownacki
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 19 HOTEL: HONGKONG Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The 28-storey players of various brands, a 42-inch TV Crowne Plaza hotel, which opened last (Philips HD LCD), a DVD player, and November features luxurious guest an iPod docking port. Each of the rooms rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, a fi t- also has a telephone which we can use to ness centre, and a restaurant. The ho- make local calls free of charge. The ho- tel lobby features an illuminated water- tel’s suites and Club rooms are located fall with orchids symbolizing peace and on fl oors 21-26 (there are 88 of them). contentment, as opposed to the sculpture Guests have free access to the Club CONTACT Crowne Plaza, 8 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, presenting the chaos of the city. The rest Lounge, which is located on the second Hong Kong; tel. +852 3980 3980; cphongkong.com of the hotel also refers to the aesthetics fl oor. It’s open 7.00 am-11.00 pm, and PRICE Prices for a Superior room booked online start at of yin yang. offers free Internet access, early dinner around PLN 600. WHERE IS IT? The building is located (until 5.00 pm), and daily „happy hours” a few minutes walk from Causeway Bay between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm. All guests BARS AND RESTAURANTS Ku- station. This provides easy access to the can visit Kudos restaurant, which is lo- dos restaurant serves daily buffet and city centre, historic sites, shops and tour- cated on the fi rst fl oor of the hotel. Some a la carte breakfast and is open 6.30 am- ist attractions. of the amenities to be found in Club 11.00 pm. On the ground fl oor there’s ROOM FACILITIES The hotel has 263 rooms include free Internet access, two also a café, and on the 28th fl oor a club rooms, ranging in size from 34sq m to 84 bottles of mineral water, and Hermes – with slightly kitschy decor (blue chan- sq m (among them 10 suites), occupying cosmetics in the bathrooms. deliers, backlit bottles). From there you fl oors 6-26. Superior rooms show a sensi- BUSINESS FACILITIES The hotel has can get to the swimming pool, and the ble use of space and, thanks to large win- seven conference rooms located on the stairs will lead us also to a spacious pavil- dows and mirrors seem to be even great- second floor. They aren’t too spacious ion situated on the 27th fl oor, where you er. Some rooms have glass walls between – the largest one can accommodate up can relax and sip a drink away from the the bathroom and the bedroom, but the to 120 people. This is quite unusual for noise and fl ashing neon signs. sliding doors provide privacy, comfort a hotel belonging to Crowne Plaza chain, LEISURE FACILITIES Apart from the and freedom. All of the hotel bathrooms which generally boasts its rich confer- pool at the hotel there is also a cosy gym have both a bath and a shower. Other ence facilities. It seems that the modest (open from 5.30 am-11.00 am) on the top bathroom amenities include a bathrobe business offer is a result of the limited fl oor. It provides a wonderful view of the and a decent-sized set of bathroom cos- size of the hotel’s building. There is also racetrack and the mountains surround- metics. Obviously, each room has work- a small business centre, located next to ing the city. space with both WiFi and wired In- the Club Lounge, with three computers OCENA It’s an excellently situated ho- ternet access (charged about PLN 70 and a printer, as well as a free, four-per- tel, offering superb views, delicious food, daily), a fully stocked minibar, a univer- son conference room for guests of Club and a 5-star service. sal charger for mobile phones and MP3 rooms. Tom Otley
20 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 POŁĄCZ
PRZEPIĘKNE MIEJSCE W SAMYM SERCU WARSZAWY,
ELEGANCKIE WNĘTRZA PAŁACU SOBAŃSKICH,
SZEFA KUCHNI ZE ŚWIATOWYM DOŚWIADCZENIEM.
DODAJ NAJWYŻSZEJ JAKOŚCI MIĘSO OD POLSKICH HODOWCÓW
I RYBY Z MAZURSKICH JEZIOR.
PODLEJ ŁYKIEM WYBORNEGO WINA.
POŁĄCZ Z ZESTAWEM TRZECH DAŃ W CENIE 79 ZŁ*.
UDEKORUJ UŚMIECHNIĘTYMI KELNERAMI
Z NAJLEPSZYMI MANIERAMI W WARSZAWIE ...
... I PODAJ DO STOŁU.
SKŁADNIKI KULINARNEJ DOSKONAŁOŚCI.
KONTAKT Crowne Plaza, 8 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; tel. +852 3980 3980; cphongkong.com CENA Rezerwowany przez Internet pokój Superior można wynająć za około 600 złotych.
PAŁAC SOBAŃSKICH, ALEJE UJAZDOWSKIE 13, 00-567 WARSZAWA
+48 22 523 66 64 WWW.KPRB.PL/AMBER JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 21 *3-DANIOWY BIZNES LUNCH (PRZYSTAWKA, DANIE GŁÓWNE I DESER) 79PLN. OD PONIEDZIAŁKU DO PIĄTKU OD 12.00 DO 15.00. here is by car, because the nearest airport HOTEL: DŹWIRZYNO is in Goleniów near Szczecin (about100 kilometres away). The hotel itself is lo- Havet Hotel Resort & Spa cated near the Baltic Sea, just100 meters from the shore. From Kołobrzeg you can take atrip to the Danish island of Born- holm where ferries run every4 hours. It’s worth visiting the island if only for its nu- merous cycling paths, as well as extreme- ly interesting artistic ceramics. ROOM FACILITIES The hotel has133 guest rooms. All of them have balconies, air conditioning, and computers with wireless Internet access (WiFi is available throughout the hotel). Other amenities include arefrigerator, anLCD TV, aking size bed, adesk, aminibar and asafe. Each bathroom has ahairdryer and bath- robes for the guests. It’s possible to order arollaway bed. The rooms come in sever- al categories. The Standard category com- prises basic rooms with an area of25 sq m, and they can be rented for asingle per- son. Some of them have asea view, but you must pay extra for this. More space (33 sq m) is provided in De Luxe rooms. They have no view on the Baltic Sea, unless we pay extra for one of the two De Luxe WHAT’S IT LIKE? Havet hotel locat- ing the swimming pools and saunas, you rooms with avery comfortable steam bath ed in the seaside town of Dźwirzyno is can also receive various types of rejuve- installed on the terrace (there’s one more amodern facility, which was created to for nating treatment. Havet gained arep- room like this in the hotel, but without families to provide them with acomforta- utation not only in Poland (it’s visited the sea view). Family rooms are offered to ble stay, as well as anumber of attractions. by anumber of public fi gures), but also families with children, have an area of38 The very fact that the hotel is situated in abroad, especially among visitors from sq m and can go with two rollaway beds. apine forest, makes visitors immediate- Germany. The two-room suite consists of alounge ly indulge in the relaxing atmosphere of WHERE IS IT? Havet hotel is located and abedroom, has an area of45 sq m and the place. There are anumber of reasons just amile from the centre of Dźwirzyno, an additional sofa which can serve as an to doso, since the hotel is aSpa complex anice town which lies just12 kilometres extra bed. There are also suites with jacuz- with aThermal Centre, so apart from us- from Kołobrzeg. The easiest way to get zi on the terrace. Havet also offers three-
CONTACT Havet Hotel Resort & Spa, ul. Wyzwolenia 29 78-131 Dźwirzyno, tel. + 48 94 713 60 70, havethotel.pl PRICE It’s best to plan your stay at Havet, taking advanta- ge of the packages prepared by the hotel. The price for a six- day holiday package started at PLN 1,710 in June, PLN 2,580 in July, and PLN 1,420 in the fi rst half of September. Children under 6 years stay in the hotel free of charge.
22 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 room suites (60 sq m), consisting of two tage of Havet hotel is its Thermal Centre. bedrooms and alounge. It’s awater complex with apool of over300 BARS AND RESTAURANTS Havet sq m, jacuzzi, whirlpool, and other attrac- is ahotel geared towards leisure stays, tions. Interestingly, the whole facility has so Moonlight restaurant must be adapt- heated fl oor, and the guests can also rest ed to this rhythm. It’s open from7.30 in the orangery which overlooks the beach. am to10.30 am, and then since noon un- There are alot of events taking place at the til9.00 pm. It offers alarge selection of pool area, such as night fi lm screenings, meals in the form of abuffet, as well as ala parties, aqua aerobics classes, and swim- carte dishes. There is also aspecial menu ming lessons. You can also relax and pam- for children. The hotel’s cafe operates per yourself at Hi Tech Medical Spa La from10.00 am to10.00 pm, and serves eat Perla, which offers awide range of massag- delicious desserts and drinks. In summer es and various beauty treatment. La Perla the hotel opens Beach Bar. There’s also is often visited by such celebrities as An- Madoosa Night Club. na Mucha, Katarzyna Cichopek and Ewa BUSINESS FACILITIES Five air-con- Gawryluk. Havet promotes cycling tours, ditioned conference rooms comprise the so not surprisingly it has its own bike rent- hotel’s offer addressed to companies. The al shop (PLN35 per4 hours). The offer rooms have culinary names (Vanilla, Milk aimed at the youngest ones includes the & Coffee, Salt & Pepper) and atotal of480 Junior Club with aplayroom, Wii consoles, sq m, which allows to accommodate up acinema and animators who dotheir best to270 people. All the rooms are equipped to entertain kids with avariety of activities. with modern equipment like electric VERDICT It’s acomfortable place to re- screens, overhead projectors etc. The ho- lax at the Polish seaside. Some of the big- tel offers assistance of aspecialist support gest advantages are the Thermal Centre staff, as well as wide catering options. and the Spa. LEISURE FACILITIES The great advan- Adam Walczak
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Przed użyciem zapoznaj się z ulotką, która zawiera wskazania, przeciwwskazania, dane dotyczące działań niepożądanych i dawkowanie oraz informacje dotyczące stosowania produktu leczniczego, bądź skonsultuj się z lekarzem i farmaceutą, gdyż każdy lek niewłaściwie stosowany zagraża Twojemu życiu lub zdrowiu.
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 23 RESTAURANT: WARSAW Belvedere
INFO For almost twenty years Belvedere there’s Venue lounge, and Cavallo Club, restaurant has been one of the most inter- which is also located nearby, is an interest- esting places on the culinary map of War- ing place designed in the Old English style saw. Located within the area of the renowned and offered through special reservations. It’s Royal Bath Gardens, the restaurant occu- a very good choice for anyone who wants to pies the New Orangery – a building which honour their guests in a unique and inter- is over 150 years old. Originally built as a gar- esting way. den for orange trees, it was designed by Ad- MENU Belvedere always offers dishes and sweet brioche – these are some of the am Adolf Loeve and Józef Orłowski. The which are delicious and attractively com- hors d’oeuvres. Main dishes include risotto Orangery is an example of a very interest- posed. The menu includes dishes of Polish with green asparagus and fried boletus, cat- ing architecture – large glazed surfaces give and international cuisine, with the elements fi sh baked with ginger, served on vegetable the massive structure remarkable lightness of fusion which has been so popular in re- julienne with black sesame, seabass served and style. Since 2008, the restaurant has been cent times. The ideas for the dishes were with Wakame seaweed salad, leek stuffed present on the list of recommended places by prepared by chefs Henryk Nieciejowski with crayfish and celery mousse, or Beef the Michelin Guide. and Adam Komar. The restaurant offers two cheeks with Jus sauce served with ricotta WHERE IS IT? Belvedere is located in the menus – the Polish Menu and Chef ’s Signa- and parmesan noodles and stewed red cab- Royal Bath Gardens, a truly prestigious ture Menu. The Polish one offers such hors bage. Among desserts you will fi nd tradi- place. There are many government offi ces d’oeuvres as the plate of traditional Polish tional Polish hot apple pie with ice-cream, nearby, as well as embassies and the Parlia- starters including herring with baked pota- melon cold soup with lime sorbet and deli- ment, so it’s not surprising then that the res- to, beef loin tartar, venison pate with cran- cate wild strawberry mousse, as well as white taurant is popular among many personali- berryand roulade of local cottage cheese chocolate mousse fl avoured with Bison vod- ties of the public life. Although it’s located in with tomato. There are also traditional ka, served with Amaretto cherries and pear the very centre of Warsaw, it’s still cosy, quiet Polish dumplings stuffed with sauerkraut ice-cream. and free of the hubbub of the city life. A large and mushrooms, duck with ashberry, or let- PRICES The hors d’oeuvres from the car park offers the restaurant guests a lot of tuce with smoked venison loin and black- Polish Menu of the restaurant cost PLN 26- parking space – the value which is much ap- berry vinaigrette The soups are the best 44, soups PLN 26-36, while the pleasure of preciated in the congested Polish capital. examples of or national cuisine. You will tasting dishes will cost you from PLN 49 DECOR The interior is without any doubt find here the traditional Polish „Żurek”, to PLN 86 (the latter price for the beef ten- one of the strongest points of Belvedere res- classic Polish boletus soup, as well as cray- derloin with boletus). The prices of dishes taurant. Thanks to the large glazed sur- fi sh broth. One of the most delicious main from the Chef ’s Signature Menu are sim- faces of the walls, the restaurant is always course dishes is something called „beef ten- ilar. From Monday to Friday the restau- filled with light. The view from the win- derloin with boletus according to a recipe rant serves so called Bellunches which cost dow is soothing, especially in spring and by Tremo the Head Chef of King Stanislas PLN 55 (for two courses) or PLN 65 (for summer seasons, when we can admire the Augustus”. Other dishes include Masurian three courses). garden. There’s a lot of greenery inside as pike perch served with vegetables, or duck Jan Niewodzki well. It’s a truly pleasant experience to have roasted in marjoram with redcurrant confi - your lunch or dinner surrounded by tropi- ture and pear mousse. CONTACT Belvedere Restaurant cal plants. Belvedere can accommodate up The Chef ’s Signature Menu has been ul. Agrykoli 1, 00 – 460 Warszawa to 300 people (for banquets), and the main designed for those who like a little experi- tel. + 48 22 558 67 00, www.belvedere.com.pl room can be divided into four parts. The res- ment with fl avours. Scallop tartar with hal- VERDICT It’s an elegant restaurant with an interesting menu, taurant, however, isn’t the only place availa- ibut sashimi and ginger dressing with cori- great service, located in a very interesting place. It’s a great choice for a business meeting. ble for guests. Right next to the main room ander, or Foie gras foam with Sauternes jelly
24 | JULY / AUGUST 2011
celebrity.indd 1 9/17/09 1:29:47 PM • Najpiękniejsze statki • SPA na pokładzie • Pole golfowe z naturalną trawą • Uczty kulinarne • Wycieczki
JULY / AUGUST 2010 | 25 tel. 022 455 38 48, www.rccl.pl
celebrity.indd 1 9/17/09 1:29:47 PM About Culture
MARLOWE ON DRUGS HOW TO FALL IN LOVE WITH BELGIUM Those who like entertaining litera- Marek Orzechowski was for many years a corre- ture and fondly remember Chan- spondent for TVP in Brussels. Now, he has written dler’s novels, will sure be amused a book on Belgium, a divided country, which seems reading the latest novel by Tho- invisible among its potent neighbours, but at the mas Pynchon called „Inherent same time is enclosed and independent. He man- Vice”. Its main character seems aged to combine a colourful (and in places a serious) like the private detective Marlowe story about the history of this country with a descrip- who has been moved in time to tion of its contemporary life, sharing with the reader Los Angeles of the late 60s. Instead of a hat and a suit, his personal admiration for the Belgians and their lifestyle. The whole book he has long hair and wears sandals on bare feet. Instead forms a sort of a confession that you can easily fall in love with Belgium. of a glass of whisky, he prefers a marijuana joint, sniffi ng Marek Orzechowski: „Belgijska melancholia”. and swallowing whatever he can. He’s seemingly runs an („The Belgian Melancholy”). Muza SA.; 288 pages investigation, but, in fact, we don’t really know which of his adventures really happen and which are the products THE JOURNAL OF A MOCKER of his tormented mind. Strong language, a string of cra- The book comprises short texts, small notes, and zy twists and turns, as well as ironic and sarcastic view of witty bon mots. For the whole previous year, the re- the world, make this book a great read. nowned fi lm director Jerzy Gruza noted – as he de- Those who know a thing or two about the „higher” lit- fi ned it – „anecdotes, stories, rumours”, comment- erature, know that Pynchon is one of the most important ed on various political events, and watched his contemporary American writers and one of the found- friends, making up so-called words of wisdom. All ing fathers of the literary postmodernism. They will read this formed a book which with great sense of humour this novel, expecting that in the end the whole world will and ironic distance describes Poland AD 2010 with go crazy, as it does in the writer’s most important nov- its political follies, people trying to live wisely and calmly, and the author el „The Gravity’s Rainbow.” They will, however, be sur- himself – a man who is becoming increasingly convinced that the world prised now. is going crazy. It’s funny and sad at the same time. Thomas Pynchon: „Inherent Vice”. Jerzy Gruza: „Rok osła” („A year of the donkey”).
LESZEK BUGAJSKI recommends Albatros A. Kuryłowicz; 464 pages. Świat Książki, 336 pages. BOOKS MUSIC GAME FOO FIGHTERS F. E. A. R 3 WASTING LIGHT Several years ago, the fi rst part of this game Rock is not dead – it’s alive and occasionally caused cardiac arrests. This was kicking! The new album of Dave because danger lurked there in almost every Grohl’s band debuted at the very corner, and the psychedelic atmosphere kept top of many music charts. No sur- you on the edge. This is, however, the whole prise here, because „Wasting „charm” of the computer gaming entertainment, so F. E. A. R immedi- Light” is a piece of extremely good ately gained millions of fans and became a cult video game. The third music. part of the FPP, which has just appeared on the market, gives us anoth- er dose of the darkest horror, and the main heroine – Alma – is back and ready to face the evil.
MYSLOVITZ NIEWAŻNE JAK WYSOKO JESTEŚMY No matter how high we are». Basically, there’s not much to dwell on here. The lat- est album of the Polish band is another portion of touch- ing, truthful and meaning- ful music.
26 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 27 CURRENCY EXCHANGE
CONVE R but if that fails, remember to spend it be- IN fore you leave). S Hong Kong and Singapore are two of T IO the most open markets for money exchan- S ge in the world, and most currencies can N be bought there. If you are travelling aro- O und the region and these cities are among your stops, make use of the opportunity to L get currencies for your subsequent desti- nations. Trying to buy renminbi with Phi- lippine pesos in Shanghai will be much trickier. The plastic There was once a time when travellers» cheques were a popular means of carrying foreign currencies securely while overse- as, but as banking has become more glo- bal their advantages seem slight in com- parison to ATMs which, although they charge a higher fee, provide a great de- al of convenience. Many shops no longer accept travellers» cheques, and cashing them at the bank requires queuing up and catching the bank’s opening hours – you cannot do it over the weekend, and in so- me small towns banks are closed by 3pm. The cashier at major hotels can cash tra- vellers» cheques, but there is often a ce- Business Traveller investigates the pitfalls of foreign currency iling on how much. exchange and discovers ways in which travellers can get the most On Business Traveller Asia-Pacific’s online forum (http://asia.businesstravel- from their transactions ler.com/discussion/topic/Best-exchange- rates), a majority of readers opt for cash oney exchange is some- For example, tuk tuk drivers in Phnom from ATMs when travelling. One of them, thing globetrotters have to Penh ask for more when quoting a pri- MartynSinclair, wrote: «I always use an deal with all the time, but ce in riels, the local currency. If you are ATM machine, I might not get the most the issue is a little more from a country where you can get hold of effi cient rate and there are charges, but for complicated in Asia whe- US dollars easily, you should bring them the amounts involved, quite frankly, it’s Mre, within a week, you may have to deal as your main currency. far easier and far less hassle.» Also, since with three or four currencies. Regardless Since the exchange rate of China’s ren- you can better control how much money of where you are travelling to, however, minbi went from strictly controlled to “a you actually need to withdraw, you save one rule holds up: Unless it is a currency managed fl oating exchange rate system” by not having to change a large chunk of that you are likely to use again soon, you based on “market supply and demand foreign banknotes back to your home cur- should avoid buying too much as chan- with reference to a basket of currencies”, rency after the trip. ging it back means losing out on exchange the value of the currency has risen sub- Naturally, if you use the ATM of an rates again and paying more fees. stantially. An increasing number of shops overseas branch of your bank, you are in Hong Kong and Macau accept it, albe- likely to enjoy savings as well. «Trans- To change or not to change it often with a high conversion rate. But actions done by DBS Singapore ATM In Europe many countries now use a sha- renminbi is still a long way from universal cardholders at DBS Hongkong, DBS In- red currency, but no such system has so acceptance in the Special Administrative donesia and DBS Taiwan ATMs shall be far been established in Asia – at least not Regions, so when visiting Hong Kong it free of the usual S$5 service charge levied offi cially. There are some special cases to is still necessary to change to Hong Kong on international ATM withdrawals,» says note, however. dollars, which are also accepted in Macau. a DBS spokesperson. DBS Singapore car- In some Indochinese countries, par- (The Macau pataca, however, is of no use dholders also pay a preferential fl at fee of ticularly Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, in Hong Kong or mainland China, and S$2 when they use their Visa/PLUS ATM the US dollar is accepted and even pre- it enjoys little recognition international- cards at the cash points of Bank Dana- ferred. Merchandise is often priced in ly. Shops or taxi drivers in Macau might mon and Bank Central Asia in Indone- American dollars. Ironically, this gives give it to you as change. You can ask to ha- sia, HDFC in India and Bank of the Phi-
DREAMSTIME / BIGSTOCK you the buyer more bargaining power. ve the change given in Hong Kong dollars lippine Islands.
28 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 CURRENCY EXCHANGE
But ATMs aren’t a convenient solution But the company’s online pre-ordering says: «In terms of the rates we apply it de- everywhere. In Japan, the banking system service promises best online rates and pends specifi cally on each client, how fre- is very localised and many ATMs do not they do compare to other online sources quently they travel, what their spend is accept foreign debit cards. Citibank is one we have checked. To use the service, you and how many orders they place. We can of the few banks with a notable presence must order a minimum of HK$1,000, and put limits around what individuals order, there, but they are still far from being ubi- up to HK$12,000 equivalent. The order and companies can track that.» quitous. Make sure you research their lo- needs to be placed at least three hours be- Also, your average high street bank fre- cations before visiting. fore pick-up at the airport. quently – if not always – gives pretty de- In China, withdrawing from an ATM Equally, watch out for so-called «de- risory rates compared with what you can requires some caution: reports have sur- als» with affiliates. Asia Miles has te- get from specialists and travel companies. faced that fake bank machines have been amed up with Travelex so its members found to steal private information from can earn miles when they buy currency Who offers the best deal? bank customers. Make sure that you are at a Travelex centre in Hong Kong. Here Most currency services have an online of- using a machine at the branch of an esta- you’ll get 20 to 59 Asia Miles when chan- fering that will give better rates simply be- blished bank. ging HK$1,000-HK$2,999, 75 to 124 cause they are not paying for a high-street As with debit cards, a lot of (but not all) miles for HK$3,000-HK$4,999, 166 offi ce. But even among money-changing credit card companies will charge you to 333 miles for HK$5,000-HK$9,999, shops there are marked differences betwe- a foreign exchange fee on transactions in and 500 to 2,499 miles when changing en rates, depending on location. Chung- a foreign currency. According to a spoke- HK$10,000-HK$49,999. king Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui may sperson from Hang Seng Bank, «Foreign But since a night at Four Points by She- have a tainted image from times past as currency transactions will be converted raton in Bangkok requires 16,000 miles, a mini-ghetto, but it has cleaned up its act into Hong Kong dollars at a rate selected and even a lunch buffet at SkyCity Bistro a lot in recent years. What has not chan- by the relevant card association from the at SkyCity Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong co- ged is its continued popularity among range of rates available in wholesale cur- sts 5,000 miles, one can’t help but wonder budget travellers in need of affordable rency markets for the applicable conver- if the «loss in conversion» isn’t more than accommodation at guesthouses. Money sion date or the government-mandated the worth of the redeemed product. Changer HK, near the building’s entran- rate in effect for the applicable conver- “I always ce, thrives on offering good rates to travel- Planning is key sion date, in each instance plus 1.2 per- use an ATM lers while profi ting from the sheer volume cent to 1.95 percent, subject to different For the large proportion of business tra- of business. According to its owner Ken- card products.» machine, vellers who organise their own foreign ny Gianani, his shop is paying a much lo- And using an overseas credit card in I might not exchange, the best advice is to order your wer rent than counterparts taking up co- China can be a hassle. In some cities such get the most currency in advance and in bulk. This is stly premises in luxury malls and prime as Shenzhen, if you go to a mall and want especially true for larger companies whe- facilities, which allows him to lower the to pay for something with a foreign credit effi cient rate re staff do a lot of travel. profi t margin and offer better rates. card, you will be led to a special cashier – but for the One of the benefi ts of using a corporate Money exchange is a business, so as often miles away – where there is a very amounts foreign exchange service such as Amex is a traveller you have to expect to pay a lit- slow machine that takes a few attempts to involved, that they can get their clients better rates tle for the service. With planning and re- get through to the approval system. as they regularly order large amounts of search you can fi nd good deals, but witho- it’s far less currency. Terry Perrin, American Expres- ut such foresight more often than not you Costly convenience hassle.” s’s director of wholesale currency services, will end up getting ripped off. ■ The option of changing money at the air- port can be tempting, but this is one of the most expensive options as it is a «di- stress» purchase – charges are high and rates unfavourable. Even if you are at the airport already without the currency for your next destination, try to fi nd out whe- ther you will be better off changing mo- ney at the arrival airport. For example, the Hong Kong dollar-to-Thai baht exchange rate is much more favourable at Bangko- k’s Suvarnabhumi Airport than at Hong Kong International Airport, where Trave- lex has a monopoly. To provide an example, on Febru- ary 20, Travelex at the Hong Kong air- port offered THB24.7 to US$1, but Busi- ness Traveller got THB29.6 from the Siam Commercial Bank exchange centre at the Bangkok airport. That’s quite a margin.
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 29 AN EVENT
Dreams To Fulfi l
We had waited for this moment for so long. Malcontents claimed that it will all go bad and the Polish carrier will lose not only a modern aircraft but, what’s worse, its position on the market. There is hope, however, that everything will go well. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, came to Warsaw to present the machine that in a few months will join the fl eet of LOT Polish Airlines. What’s more, it will also receive a brand new livery.
30 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 AN EVENT
hat June morning was full tracted landing gear, it was gliding majes- go on board, but ZA001 is the fi rst of sev- of emotion. The apron in tically over the runway. The fi rst impres- eral testing models, so its interior looked front of a hangar was full of sion on seeing the B787 in the sky was one. more like a research laboratory, with mon- bystanders, dignitaries and It’s a beautiful and really quiet machine. itors and mysterious measuring devices, journalists. The arrival of the Indeed, the two huge Rolls Royce engines and it didn’t resemble a typical passen- Dreamliner T has become the top news powering the aircraft don’t cause the noise ger aircraft. in radio and television services, and the which is so typical in these conditions. The machine arrived at Okęcie direct- whole event was broadcast live. When the blue Dreamliner touched the ly from the Paris air show, with captain runway, it was greeted with a water salute, Mike Carriker, a man who knows every- ZULU ALFA 001 and after a few minutes towed towards the thing about these machines, since he had At exactly 10.11 am, the aircraft appeared hangar where hundreds of people had fl own the 787 for hundreds of hours and over the airport. Earlier, it had received gathered. That was a proper time to have is still testing it. The ultimate goal is to permission to fl y low, so now with a re- a closer look at the plane. You could also obtain all the necessary certifi cates and ▲ BOEING / DEJAN GOSPODAREK
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 31 AN EVENT
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lenght ...... 56,7 M seats ...... 210 – 250 height ...... 16,9 M width of the cabin ...... 5,49 m wing span ...... 60 m service ceiling ...... 13100 m wing area ...... 325 m2 range ...... 4 650 – 15 750 km crew ...... 2 pilots max. speed...... 1050 km/h
permissions, so that the delivery date to lines and which LOT hasn’t had so far on LOT, this time set at the turn of April and its offer, is the Premium Economy class. May 2012, won’t be postponed anymore. It’s quite a fresh idea, now being imple- Business class cabin will look like this mented by many air carriers and a solu- THREE CLASSES OF CRANES tion which fi lls the gap between expensive Marcin Piróg, the CEO of LOT Polish business class and the budget economy Airlines was hoping the same, saying: class. Of course, it also provides a much – We are proud that we will be the fi rst greater comfort of travel. There will be 21 European carrier to offer its passengers seats of this class on the Dreamliner. The completely new quality and comfort of remaining 213 seats are reserved for the fl ight. economy class. The Polish version of Let’s now move on to the quality of the B787 will seat 251 passengers. Each pas- Polish version of the aircraft. For the fi rst senger will have their own screen for the time in the history of LOT, its aircraft will on-board entertainment system. The novelty – Premium Economy class be divided into 3 cabin classes, with the The visit of B787 was also a perfect interior kept in different shades of blue. occasion to present the new livery of Economy class cabin The front of the cabin will be occupied LOT’s aircraft. The airline didn’t want by the seats for business class. It will be to make revolutionary changes here, but possible to set the seats into a lying po- only conduct a well thought out refi ne- sition, and the service, menu, as well as ment of the existing idea. The changes other amenities (which can’t be revealed relate primarily to the tail (it will now yet), will make LOT’s business class a re- be dark blue with the symbol of a crane al competition for fi rst class, which is rec- and the white and red stripes on the bot- ognized as the highest, among many other tom) and the cheat line running down carriers. These are very ambitious plans. the windows which will now disappear. A completely new solution, which is gain- The livery does not break with the tradi- ing more and more popularity among air- tion but is rather a project that combines
32 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 AN EVENT
The arrival of B787, which is considered the most modern aircraft in the world, sparked a sensation. However, its interior is still more like a fl ying laboratory the glorious past of the national carrier tested on passenger planes. The plane’s with a modern design. You can decide fuel economy, which results from the ap- for yourselves if you like the new livery, plication of cutting edge solutions (for ex- looking at the photographs published in ample the plane’s wing is a one-piece el- our magazine. We do like it. ement whose mounting took much more time than expected), will definitely be COMPOSITE MIRACLES a key value for the carriers who have al- The delay, reaching almost four years, ready ordered more than 800 Dreamlin- was really nerve racking for the Polish ers. Passengers, in turn, can travel in far national air carrier. Did this waiting better, more comfortable conditions, for pay off? It seems that it did, because the example thanks to a higher air pressure compensation that Boeing had to pay to on board, or the windows which are now LOT reached almost the cost of one air- much larger and can be dimmed electron- craft (this we, of course, write unoffi cial- ically at the touch of a button. ly). Since LOT had ordered eight B878s, The skyrocketing increase in the range the answer seems to be simple. of this ultramodern machine, provides Most of these delays are a result of pro- air carriers with new opportunities. LOT tracted work on entirely new solutions Polish Airlines also seem to understand in civil aviation. The Boeing 787 makes them as Mr Piróg told us that now the greater use of composite materials in its Polish airline will try to „attack” Asian airframe and primary structure than any destinations. Soon after the Dreamlin- previous Boeing commercial airplane. er joins the Polish fl eet, the airline wants Carbon fibres used in the production to launch connections to Tokyo and Be- process provide much greater strength ijing. Some other new destinations may and lightness of the construction. Howev- include those in the North America. Let’s er, the use of such materials means apply- keep our fi ngers crossed and wait patient- ing processes, which so far haven’t been ly another few months. ■
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 33 TRAVEL WEBSITES
Fast Travel Flight tickets, hotel rooms and ow the world has changed. rental cars can all be booked Just 10 years ago, most peo- ple would still be visiting online, so who needs an agent? a travel agent to book an up- Erica Rae Chong and Reggie coming trip. Frequent trav- Hellers might have their agents on speed- Ho pose this question to various industry players dial, but that’s about as streamlined as it got in most cases. Then it became very much conversation-free. You’d send an email to your agent, who would then send you all the fl ight and hotel options, sometimes alongside additional infor- mation about the destination. You’d transfer the money online and, on the same day, receive an e-ticket by email. But today, booking travel products doesn’t even require the involvement of an agent, at least not a human one. On- line travel websites such as Expedia, Travelocity, Opodo, Priceline and Or- bitz have really picked up speed. These companies ring up billions of US dollars in revenue every year, thanks to their in-
BIGSTOCK / DREAMSTIME creasingly loyal clientele.
34 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 TRAVEL WEBSITES
A one-way stree In achieving that speed, using face-to-face agents. This number Some even say once you have gone on- is expected to rise to 64 percent by 2015. line, you never go back. “My experiences users have also started are great, and I am quite sure that I will to take short-cuts in the Embracing the future keep on using online travel agencies in- Are the days of traditional travel agents stead of physically going to the tradition- messages that they send numbered? Will they, like multilayered al ones, ” says Victoria Wai-yee Chan, paper plane tickets, become a thing of who works in television. One of her col- listed according to many different crite- the past? leagues advised her to use an online ria, including “agony”. If you are will- “Traditional travel agents still play agent and she liked it immediately. “I ing to endure a really early fl ight, make an important role in Asian markets, fi nd the prices much cheaper than those an extra stopover and fl y any airline, just especially in highly centralised cities from a conventional agent or the airlines, look at the top of the “agony” list. like Hong Kong and Singapore, where probably because I always travel alone so Competition between travel websites travellers can easily access these travel don’t get to enjoy package deals.” is also heating up. Their online content agents as compared to the US,” says Ja- Some like the fact all rules and condi- is increasingly rich, and they include son Wong, director and general manag- tions are out in the open with travel web- lifestyle advice such as ideal beach vaca- er of Hong Thai Travel Services, one of sites. “Traditional agents are reluctant to tions, where to enjoy the best food and Hong Kong’s oldest names in the busi- refund when you want to make changes, wine and, of course, reviews from fellow ness. “Moreover, Asian travellers value while the online ones make it clear at the travellers. Agencies such as Traveloci- travel agents as they need face-to-face very beginning about the refund policy,” ty.com offer users increasing fl exibili- contact, more tailor-made services and Hong Kong-based freelance journalist ty when conducting a search. You used professional opinions from their travel Chow Chung-wah says. She books trav- to be able to view fl ight options for on- consultants.” el products online at least once a month. ly three days either side of your speci- David Brett, president of Amadeus But for 20-something Pavan Sham- fi ed departure date, but now the limit is Asia Pacifi c, also thinks that online serv- dasani, it’s about spontaneity. “You just up to 10 days. ices cannot totally replace human trav- book and go in the span of 10 minutes – All of which is in addition to the fact el agents, at least not yet. “There are so which you can’t really do with an agent,” that online agents are highly accessible many online sites and you end up spend- he says. “I hate planning in advance and and open for business 24 hours a day, sev- ing far too much time going through worrying for weeks about a trip – it com- en days a week – a big draw for today’s these options. I think it gets to a point pletely ruins the idea of a vacation. That, city dweller, whose attention span is rap- where you need someone to help man- and the prices are starting to equal out in idly shortening. age all this,” he says, adding that the role comparison.” Amadeus, the leading transaction travel agents need to play is “expert”, one Shamdasani’s favourite travel website processor for the global travel and tour- who not only knows where to get infor- is Hipmunk.com, which features a sim- ism industry, reports that in 2009, 39 per- mation and how to access it, but also ple interface and allows you to search for cent of outbound trips in European trav- tells customers what is believable and up to three legs at a time. Options can be el were booked online, versus 24 percent what isn’t. “The role of an expert is ex- ▲
GOING TO EXTREMES Travel websites and online booking systems by hotels and airlines allow pe- ople to be spontaneous and flexible with travel, but is that enough? Appa- rently not, according to a study by Amadeus, a transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry. Research conducted for the compa- ny’s leisure travel technology business has revealed that 70 percent of pe- ople planning to take a vacation do not have a firm idea of where they want to go when they start looking. With most of the online booking systems, you still need to decide the destination and date of your trip before searching. But a new technology is available to allow travellers to skip that thinking process – all they need is the urge to travel. It is called Affinity Shopper and is currently used by Lufthansa and Croatian Airlines. “You can name a budget, for example, of US$200 and ask «Where can I go? ’ The search shows you all the places and sometimes even spe- cial offers you’ve never thought of,” David Brett of Amadeus says. ty you intend to depart from, and pointers will appear on the map indicating Amadeus is the technology provider behind many major airlines’ websi- choices available to you. You can narrow down the options by ticking boxes tes that allow customers to conduct online booking and itinerary manage- such as “Beach”, “Diving”, “Golf”, “Gourmet”, “Outdoor”, “Historical sites”, ment, including that of Cathay Pacific. But this “extreme search” option, as “Cities”, “Museums” and “Shopping”. Once you have spotted what appe- Brett calls it, is expected to give travellers a whole new level of control. als to you, just click on the pointer and you will be led to more details and Affinity Shopper is available on the Germany, UK and US portals of Lu- the booking system. fthansa and is called Lufthansa Trip Finder (pictured). Once inside, you According to Amadeus, the technology will continue to evolve to offer can choose your budget with the sliding dial and type in the name of the ci- more capabilities.
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 35 TRAVEL WEBSITES
PUNCH IT IN You would have thought that by now most on- Some companies are already reaping bene- line travel agents would have mobile sites for fi ts. Wotif.com, a well-established travel websi- tremely important; I think we need to see people to access with their smart phones, but te in Australia and New Zealand that sells deals more management, not just provision of Orbitz and Voyages-sncf.com are the only two up to six months in advance across 57 countries, information.” larger ones that do. However, things are set to is one of them. Through mobile.wotif.com, smar- But traditional agents do need to change very soon. t-phone users can access a range of offers that adapt to a changing world in order to re- Expedia announced at the end of last year cover a wide budget spectrum, and book a stay main competitive. “One thing the agent that it has acquired Mobiata, the creator of po- with instant confi rmation. Although only a small has to do is embrace the internet,” adds pular mobile travel application FlightTrack, percentage of the company’s business comes Brett. “A few years ago people would alongside others such as TripDeck, HotelPal, Fli- through mobile browsers, the use of the site saw walk into an agency and ask directly, ‘I ghtBoard and FareCompare. FlightTrack lets a fi ve-fold increase from October 2009 to the end want to do so and so.’ These days, most users check fl ight status, access information of 2010, indicating a potential for further growth. will already have investigated it on the about delays or rescheduling, locate the fl ight’s According to Matthew Varley, the company- internet. That means the agent must be gate and see real-time tracking maps of fl ights, ’s executive general manager of Asia, the si- aware that customers will come in with and has proven to be a real hit – it has been te stays competitive by keeping a low com- a certain amount of knowledge. But this a best-selling iPhone travel app in the App Store. mission rate and working closely with hotel doesn’t mean they become less valua- Expedia states that this acquisition repre- partners to come up with special deals. ble. The difference is the customers al- sents the company’s “most signifi cant inve- Last year, Apple fi led a patent for a travel app ready have a more focused idea and the stment to date in addressing the mobile tra- that not only books fl ights, hotels and car rese- agent can use that information to pro- vel market”. At the time of the announcement, rvations but also works as an electronic ticket, vide a service.” Expedia was only seeing 4 percent of its traf- boarding pass and even passport. On arrival, it Lily Agonoy, general manager at Far- fi c coming from mobile browsers or apps – not helps users fi nd their RFID-tagged luggage. It is rington American Express Travel Serv- surprising given how diffi cult it is to use a full si- unclear when this application will become com- ices, says: “Traditional travel agents will te with a smart phone. When mobile-friendly mercially available, but one thing is for sure, it become a thing of the past only if they do capabilities have been developed, the number will not be the only thing travellers can look for- not embrace change and innovation. If should see a surge. ward to. they do, for instance, combine technolo- gy with their experience, knowledge and tomised service, customer care and cri- good service standards, it will defi nite- sis management,” says Agonoy. Traditional travel agents will ly enhance their competitiveness in the Traditional agents are also the go-to become a thing of the past market place.” medium for complicated travel plans. Hong Thai was one of the fi rst tradi- For example, if you are trying to arrange only if they do not embrace tional agents to develop an online book- an around-the-world trip or are planning change and innovation ing engine for air tickets and hotels in to travel to countries where getting a vi- 2007, and is working on extending the sa is far from simple, consulting a tradi- port is from your hotel, or arranging veg- online service to group tour bookings as tional travel agent would be a good idea. etarian meals on fl ights. well. Its online site even offers a live chat As there is greater face-to-face con- “It’s clearly a trend that people will feature where visitors can have an online tact, traditional agents can tailor your continue to use online booking tools,” conversation with a travel consultant. trip according to your needs and budg- David Brett says. “But it does not suit Farrington American Express Trav- et and are usually more reliable when it everybody or all itineraries. For sim- el and Travel Expert have, too, set up comes to special requests as compared ple transactions, people will do it them- their own websites with an online book- to online agents. Some online booking selves. But the way in which people trav- ing system for customers to book “free engines may not provide smaller budg- el is maturing, and there is always the and easy” products. Other agencies, such et airline options like JetBlue or Jeju Air. opportunity for an expert to come in as Cadogan, which has been in the trav- Traditional agents can personalise your to gather more information. Business el business for 60 years, set themselves trip in a variety of ways, from handling travellers have needs and requirements, apart from general online agents by spe- macro details such as arranging afford- too; I travel three weeks out of four and cialising in niche sectors of travel and able flights and accommodation, pro- I want my agent to know me and what offering clients tailor-made luxury hol- viding insights and planning your itin- I want.” idays. Its website has an online booking erary, to smaller details such as fi nding It seems the personal touch is still a tool featuring packages and special offers out how far away the train station or air- valuable commodity. ■ for trips to 23 locations. The personal touch While travel agencies may be branching out, they are still fi rmly rooted in pro- viding personalised service. Traditional shopfronts will not be completely abol- ished simply because there are certain aspects of the business that online agents cannot offer or match. “Traditional trav- el agents provide personalised or cus-
36 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 DEALS Travel Miniatures It’s the time for summer trips, but also for business trips. However, packing your cosmetics can be a real nuisance. That’s why, it’s worth turning to cosmetic travel sets which have been prepared especially for this occasion. ou can, for example, visit one of foam or gel becomes a dangerous tool the numerous health & beauty and must be dumped into a special con- Y stores of Rossmann chain (there tainer, although it has never been used are over 600 in Poland, so it’s not diffi cult before. Never mind, you can always buy to fi nd them). The section with travel- a new can of shaving foam at your desti- size products is really huge and it’s most- nation point. Of course, border guards ly aimed at those who are about to go at the airport will take this one as well, away on their holiday and who value eve- on your way back home. The same thing ry single inch of space in their suitcase, goes with deodorants, creams, condition- Rossmann hair shampoo (with vitamin B3 and but don’t want to get rid of the cosmet- ers, shampoos – in other words, with al- wheat protein from) and conditioner ics they use on daily basis. The several most everything we need. shops have (for dry and damaged hair – apricot ker- shelves are packed with various cosmet- separate nel oil and panthenol used in the con- ics, which you can combine to make your SMALL IS… PRACTICAL ditioner make your hair nourished and own travel amenity kit. The complexi- Rossmann has for many years prepared sections with smooth); Sun Ozon – waterproof lotion ty, or rather the extent of the problem, travel size cosmetics whose dimensions miniature with UVA and UVB fi lters, providing op- can be seen perfectly, when you gather make them ideal to take with us on hol- products timum protection against the sun; Fuss- all the necessary cosmetics you intend to iday or on a business trip. Every season wohl – foot lotion with menthol and eu- take with you on your journey. It turns Rossmann launches some novelties to calyptus. After a long journey, the lotion out then, that they occupy much space, make the offer even larger. The cosmet- effectively eliminates any swelling; Do- and, what’s more, they weigh quite a bit. ics for men include shaving foam, sham- mol – stain remover stick which can save poos and conditioners, while the offer for your clothes in an emergency situation. AIRPORT SURPRISES ladies comprises a wide range of prod- The product removes fresh stains from Travel-size cosmetics are also an excel- ucts including nail removers, bath gels, coffee, lemonade, fruit juice, yoghurt, lent option for business people. If you hair conditioners, and shampoos. ink, grease or oil. At the same time, it travel light and take with you only your The newest products on Rossmann’s doesn’t fade colours and fabrics, and it carry-on luggage with all your cosmet- offer include: Prokudent – gentle gum can be used on all types of surfaces. ics, you’d better be set up for unpleas- care mouth rinse, which is especially use- The list of travel-size products that ant surprises. This is because strict air ful on long trips when it’s barely possible you can take with you on holiday or on regulations don’t allow for taking on to brush your teeth; Isana set – shower a business trip is really long. One thing board cosmetics in containers which ex- gel (it has delicate fl oral smell and con- is for sure: it’s defi nitely worth visiting ceed 100 millilitres. Suddenly, an incon- tains extracts of silk thank to which the a Rossmann store. ■
FOT. PIOTR WALICKI FOT. spicuous-looking container of shaving skin becomes smooth and nourished), Olga Chełchowska
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 37 ttoGUIDE op ooff
When you look at the results of any airport ranking, you can be sure that somewhere at the top you will thheettopsops always see Changi. For thirty years of its existence the airport in Singapore has become a role model. So far, unattainable.
nyone who has ever had the opportunity to visit the air- port in Singapore, must ad- mit one thing: this place is simply different. Changi standsA out regarding virtually everything – from effi cient and extremely courteous service, through a wide range of servic- es for business guests, to ideas on how to make passengers enjoy the time spent at the airport. Can you think of any other airport with original decor, gardens, and even a special room with tropical but- terfl ies? Nearly 400 awards in different rankings are defi nitely not undeserved – since 1988 our magazine has been reg- ularly awarding the Singapore airport. But awards aren’t everything. Changi is just nice and friendly place.
THREE DECADES OF EXPANSION When in the mid-70s a decision was made to build a new airport in Singapore, no- body expected that the place would be- come the 6th airport in the world in terms of number of passengers. Even if you brief- ly trace the history of Changi, you will see that the last 30 years were the time of its enormous success. The construction work began in 1975, and in 1981 first passen- gers appeared in Terminal 1. Five years later, Singapore served a 10 million pas- senger. Also that year, the work on the ex-
CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP pansion port began. Terminal 2 opened
38 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 GUIDE tops
its doors in 1991. In the mid-90s Termi- ways, S$500 million was spent for further The number in 60 countries across the world. Changi nal 1 was thoroughly refurbished at the expansion of Terminal 1 while other huge of passengers handles 42 million passengers a year, cost S$170 million. Another S$ 330 mil- sums were invested to increase the capac- which is 8 times more than the number of lion were spent to expand Terminal 2. In ity of the Budget Terminal from 2.7 mil- that Changi residents of the city. later years, the airport was further expand- lion to 7 million passengers annually. In handles each ed. Some of the milestones in the history of December 2009, the airport established year is 8 times IN THE WORLD OF GARDENS Changi were: opening of the Changi Air- a new record, serving 140,000 passengers The large terminals of the airport in Sin- port Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station in one day.Of course, for the last three dec- bigger than gapore are always impeccably clean. The ($850 million), launching Budget Termi- ades Changi has also expanded its cargo the number of entire place is filled with lush greenery nal for low cost carriers, and opening Ter- infrastructure as well as facilities devot- Singaporeans which perfectly harmonizes with various minal 3 in 2008. Recent years have been ed for private aviation which is served in sculptures set in various areas. An impres- marked with further investments, such a separate terminal, called JetQuay. sive 5-storey high vertical garden called as the installation of a cutting edge sys- Today, Singapore’s port is a host to 100 the “Green Wall” spans 300 metres across tem for detecting foreign objects on run- airlines which offer flights to 200 cities the main hall of Terminal 3. ▲
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 39 GUIDE
Another brilliant idea was the Butter- fl y Garden, which is also located in Ter- minal 3. It stretches over 330 sq m on two fl oors and is a refuge for over 1,000 but- terfl ies (the garden also features a 6-me- ter high waterfall). Those aren’t the only gardens at Changi airport. The Cactus Garden presents the most interesting species of this plant from Africa and both Americas. In the Garden of Ferns at Terminal 2, you will see huge tree ferns, which is probably a survivor of the dinosaur era and are known to live for more than 400 years. The Orchid Gar- den gives us the opportunity to learn more about these beautiful and colourful fl ow- ers. The Garden of Sunfl owers is a fl ow- er garden by day and a light-themed gar- den by night. Also the Budget Terminal has its own tropical garden. According to the plans for the airport’s expansion, Terminal 1 will change into something called Tropical City, with a completely redesigned interior. This will have hap- pened by 2014. A notable highlight is the large number of places where you can relax – there are a number of so-called Free Rest Areas, where you can comfortably lie down on specially-designed snooze chairs and just doze off! Passengers staying at the Ambas- sador Transit Hotel may use the pool and jacuzzi for free. Otherwise, a smallall fee ooff $13.91 is charged to non-residentsnts for the use of the swimming poolol and jacuzzi, including the use ofof nness passengers. Those who fl y business oor fi rst class, can use SATS lounge (Sin- ggapore Airport Terminal Services) if their aairline is on the list of carriers whose pas- ssengers have access to the lounge. Passen- ggers get to enjoy here the luxurious facil- iities, which include lounge seating, light rrefreshments, television and a variety of nnewspapers and periodicals. Of course, tthere are more business lounges at the air- pport, but they are operated mostly by indi- vvidual airlines. There are also three business centres the shower facilities, aa towel towel and aa com- com- oopen 24/7 where you can send faxes, use plimentary non-alcoholic drink from the photocopiers, as well as hold a meeting bar. Of course, there’s also a spa which of- or a mini-conference. They are located in fers a whole lot of relaxing treatments. each of the three terminals. Staying con- Talking about relaxation, the Singapore nected is easy at Changi Airport, with airport also has a fi tness centre, several many free and paid options available at all hair salons, and two bars with live acous- our Terminals. If you have a laptop, sim- tic music. ply plug in to numerous dial-up PC Con- nection or Ethernet LAN points for free WORK AND RELAX access. You can also use Free Internet Cor- Just as with every other type of service, ners for a quick internet session. However, Changi Airport has a lot to offer for busi- faster Internet connections are charged.
40 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 GUIDE
or Cultural Tour. Registration is based on fi rst-come-fi rst-serve basis.
A CITY WITHIN A CITY The airport in Singapore is also a huge shopping and entertainment centre. How- ever, here the word “entertainment” has a completely different dimension in com- parison to other airports. Changi offers a whole lot of entertainment. The 3D Xpe- rience Zone features three-dimension- al games and movies. The Changi Avia- tion Gallery located at Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 provides avia- tion enthusiasts and members of the pub- lic with interesting insights into Changi’s ground operations and the eventful histo- ry of aviation in Singapore. The Entertain- ment Deck is multi-media entertainment centre with something to thrill everyone: there’s a dedicated area for music lovers to spin and scratch songs into unique mix- es, newly upgraded Movie Theatre with its cosy seats and latest picture projection and sound technology, as well as game con- soles with exciting games. You can also take a ride on The Slide@T3, the world’s tall- est slide in an airport. Standing at a height of 12 metres high or four storeys tall, shriek your way down the slide while reaching top speeds of up to 6 metres per second! The airport also features numerous children’s playgrounds, amusement arcades, and all sorts of organized activities. Not surprisingly, the Singapore air- Another interesting service, which is port is packed with various stores and res- available at Changi, is the access to world taurants to cater for all tastes. Over 40,000 fi nancial news from cable channels like sq m of retail space may make your head BBC World, CNBC, Channel News Asia spin, especially if you love shopping. It’s and CNN news service. There are four impossible to even list here all the catego- lounges with plasma TVs located in Ter- ries of stores, because in Singapore you can minals 2 and 3 where you can catch up on buy just about anything. The culinary of- the latest stock and equities information fer is similarly impressive. There are cafes, provided by Bridge Information Systems fast food restaurants, bistros and fancy res- and Reuters. At Changi you can make ho- taurants, offering a cornucopia of flavours. tel reservations at any Singapore Visitors No need to move from Changi to find out Centre, or Hotel Reservation Counters at about the Asian cuisine and taste flavours the arrivals level. A deposit of $10 per res- from many countries around the world. ervation, deductible from the hotel bill at You could write books about the air- the end of stay, is payable. You can also port in Singapore. It’s one of few airports use the services of a comfortable hotel lo- which is widely praised by passengers cated in the airport’s transit zone – a sin- from various parts of the world. It is also gle room costs S$69. one of few places which is the closest to If you feel like visiting the city, it’s the ideal pursued by airports around the a good idea to go to one of many Infor- world – to create a mini city with enter- mation and Customer Service Counters. tainment centres, which would attract not If you have at least 5 hours to spare be- only passengers, but also those who seek fore your connecting fl ight, you can reg- entertainment and relaxation. Changi ister for a 2 hour sightseeing tour of Sin- seems to be a model to copy from. ■ gapore, with a choice of a Colonial Tour Tomasz Małkowski
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 41 HOTELS
There’s a lot to love about hotels – but when they get it wrong, a hell of a lot to loathe too. We reveal the things that irk us 101 things we hate about hotels We hate hotels when… And you can’t There’s only wired internet ac- The doormen would rather chat 10 swing a kitten, let 17 cess but no cable is provided. 1 among themselves than greet you. alone a cat… It takes half an hour for your There’s a long queue at reception And everything is 18 bags to make it up to the room, 2 for check-in… 11 beige, or fussy pink and then the bell boy wants a tip, hav- And an even longer one for check- with velvet lampshades ing previously refused to take no for an 3 out, when you have a plane to that attract dust. answer when you said you wanted to catch… You’ve booked carry your bag yourself. And the reception staff don’t think 12 a non-smoking No one answers the telephone 4 it sensible to fast-track you past room but discover it’s 19 at room service, housekeeping the 50-strong crew of conference dele- a smoking one that’s been or reception… gates ahead of you… doused with air freshener. And after fi nally getting And when you fi nally reach the Turning on your 20 through, the food arrives cold, 5 front, they are stroppy. 13 laptop, you dis- and you have to stand around looking You’ve arrived in the evening but cover you need to go back busy while the room service guy slowly 6 your room’s not ready… down to reception to get lays out the items. Or just before the offi cial check- a scratch card to access the wifi … What is really meant by 7 in time but they can’t accommo- And then you have to pay 21 “24-hour room service” is a stale date you. 14 through the nose for it… sandwich after 11pm… The electronic room key doesn’t And having paid for it in the Which will cost double the ad- 8 work fi rst time, or at all, so you 15 room, you fi nd you need to pay 22 vertised cost once you’ve added have to traipse back downstairs to get it another provider to use it in the meet- on all the charges to deliver it. activated. ing rooms and lobby… You lie back on the bed, turn on Once inside, you quickly discover And every time your compu- 23 the TV and fi nd the previous oc- 9 that the room bears no resemblance 16 ter goes to sleep, you have to log cupant’s movie choice is still there, and
ISTOCKPHOTO / DREAMSTIME to the pictures on the website… back on. it is a porn movie.
42 | LIPIECJULY / AUGUST/ SIERPIEŃ 2011 2011 HOTELS
Style is put before function, so it And it costs the GDP of a small the lights off, then go all around the 24 all looks nice but nothing works 44nation to make a call. room fl icking switches. logically… Someone knocks on the door In the middle of the night, the And all the furniture has hard 45 while you’re naked, and even af- 60 phone rings, but there’s no one 25 corners that you bang into eve- ter you’ve shouted “In a minute”, they there… ry time you get up in the middle of the walk straight in. Then the fi re alarm goes off, night. The staff ring to tell you they’d 61 and stops just as you step out in- The curtains don’t keep out the 46 like to clean the room when to the corridor. 26 light. your privacy light is on. The lift pings every few minutes The walls don’t keep out the 62 all night. 27 noise. The minibar hums all night, The bed is so soft that you dis- 63 doesn’t keep anything cold and 28 appear into the middle… charges you for things you never had Or is a “double” composed of (and let’s not even mention the price). 29 two singles… The red power light on the TV Dressed with nasty, bouncy 64 illuminates the whole room… 30 foam pillows, polyester bed- As does the display on the clock ding, scratchy blankets and a plastic 65 radio… undersheet… And the smoke alarm located And the duvet or top sheet is so 66 directly above the bed, except 31 tightly folded over the corners of it fl ashes. the mattress that when you try to pull it The clock is located on the far out, you accidentally punch your own face. You return to the room in the 67 side of the room, and was set to The coat hangers are chained to 47 middle of the day to fi nd the go off at 4am by the previous occupant. 32 the rail. maid hasn’t been, or has tidied so over- The wake-up call you’ve re- The room doesn’t have enough zealously that you can’t fi nd your shoes. 68 quested doesn’t come. light (what are they trying to You leave out some laundry The hot water is only tepid at 33 ▲ hide?). 48 and it still hasn’t been returned 69 best. There is no laptop safe, or the three days later. 34 laptop safe is too small for The air conditioning is noisy a laptop. 49 but too complicated to work out The chair is uncomfortable and how to switch off… 35 not set to the same height as the Or it is set by reception and is desk… 50 too hot or cold… Or there is no desk at all, only And you can’t open the win- 36 a tiny table. 51 dows to let some proper air in. There are no tea- and coffee- There is a stereo provided but 37 making facilities in the room, as 52 no iPod dock… they want to fl eece you for it via room And there are 100 TV channels service. 53 but only one in English, and You have to call down for an you have to scroll through all the oth- 38 iron and ironing board… ers to get to it. And when it arrives, the iron The hotel information can on- 39 is attached to the board and 54 ly be accessed via the TV and it doesn’t have a steam setting, so you still takes an age to go through the ridicu- can’t get the creases out of your clothes. lously complicated menus. The key card powers the room The headboard in the neigh- 40 so that the air con turns off 55 bouring room is back to back whenever you leave… with yours, and your neighbours are an And since your laptop and iPod amorous couple. 41 were being charged by the same The windows sound like they power, you return to fi nd they have fl at 56 are going to blow in when you batteries… are on a high fl oor. Yet every time you come back There’s no complimentary bot- 42 to the room, the TV is on, very 57 tle of water. loudly, showing the corporate video. The robe is older than you, and The phone fl ashes that you have 58 starched like cardboard. 43 a message but you can’t work You get into bed at night and out how to pick it up… 59 have to get back up to turn all
LIPIECJULY / /SIERPIEŃ AUGUST 2011 | 43 HOTELS
There’s no plug in the bath, There is hardly any signage in 70 or when you run one, the hair 93 the hotel so you end up walking of the previous occupant rises to the around in circles. surface. You only want to grab toast The bath has no showerhead, so 94 and tea but they charge you for 71 you have to transfer to the show- a whole continental breakfast… er to wash your hair… Or there’s only dregs left at the To fi nd they’ve given you 95 buffet, even though it’s due to 72 a mini-bottle of shampoo but no go on for another half-hour. conditioner… At dinner, the staff pounce on And having used only half the 96 you as soon as you sit down, 73 bottle, they replace it the next then don’t come back at all when you day, despite declaring themselves to be ask for a few more minutes to look a “green” hotel. at the menu, which consists solely of The shower is impossible to bland “international” dishes. 74 work out and, when you’ve got The only thing to eat in the ex- it started, the water either comes out in 97 ecutive lounge are some dodgy- a useless trickle or fl oods the bathroom. looking hors d’oeuvres that have been The shower curtain smells of sitting there all day. 75 mildew. The meeting rooms are drab You are supplied with every toi- 98 and have no daylight. 76 letry you could ever feasibly You are offered a choice of cur- need – but never toothpaste. 99 rencies in which to pay your The bathroom mirror steams bill, or are automatically charged in 77 up whenever you turn on the your local currency. hot tap. You book a cab to take A note says to hang up your 100 you to the airport but fi nd 78 towel to save on washing, but a pricey limo waiting instead there are no hooks. There is no socket next to the Your points aren’t credited The towels won’t wrap around 83 dressing table or mirror to plug 101 to your loyalty programme 79 your head, let alone your your own in… account. ■ backside. Or there is only one free sock- The soap has a cellophane 84 et in the whole room, and it’s so 80 wrapper you can’t remove. close to the fl oor you can’t get the plug There is no mirror for shav- into it. 81 ing or doing your make-up, and The lift is slow in coming, then no full-length mirror anywhere in the 85 stops on every fl oor on the way room. down, but no one gets in. The hairdryer is stuck to the The business centre doesn’t op- 82 bathroom wall and only works 86 erate 24 hours, and has only one when you hold the button down, offer- computer, which is always taken… ing the blast power of a child’s toy. And when you fi nally get on to 87 it, you are charged an extortion- ate rate to print a single sheet of paper. The gym is a box with one cy- 88 cling machine and no air condi- tioning or ventilation. The so-called “spa” complex 89 consists of one treatment room and a sauna. The “lap” pool is a lap pool for 90 midgets. There are no changing facilities 91 so you have to do the walk of shame back to your room in your run- ning gear, red-faced and still sweating. The corridors are never-end- 92 ing and so dark you can barely make your way down them.
44 | LIPIECJULY / AUGUST/ SIERPIEŃ 2011 2011 LIPIEC / SIERPIEŃ 2011 | 45 Welcome To The Club
There is no doubt that the desire to be the best has become the target of many people. However, the best ones also require the highest quality and the service which best suits their needs and expectations. That is why, Air Fr ance and KLM airlines have aimed their joint offer at such demanding customers.
IP Sky Club is a prestigious package of exclusive services, A gold business A GOLD BUSINESS facilities and benefi ts aimed at the best customers of Air Gold Card provides the holder with many additional privileges. V France and KLM. This doesn’t mean, however, that the priv- These are: free access to business lounges at all airports in the ileges are available only for those who have been using the servic- world, regardless of the class in which you currently travel; an op- es of both carriers for months, hoping for a bonus. It’s just enough tion to take on board an extra item of baggage, weighing a max- to take only one round trip in First or Business Class on interconti- imum of 23 kg; separate check-in desks to make sure the pro- nental route with one of the carriers. This automatically entitles you cedure is quick and painless; priority boarding and fast tracking to receive a gold card in the Flying Blue loyalty programme and of baggage after landing; a high priority on standby lists; priority the membership in the VIP Sky Club. The offer is addressed to all seating on board to ensure as much comfort as possible – with Air passengers using the services of the AF/KLM, so of course also France you may choose Seat Plus option for free, while with KLM for the customers travelling from Poland. you receive a 50% discount on the price of a seat in the Economy Comfort zone and an additional 75 percent bonus miles for each In addition to the luxurious, tranquil, and relaxing working environ- fl ight – in this way, the gold card owner is entitled much earlier to ment, you can enjoy there the delicacies created by top chefs and reward tickets for earned miles. take advantage of treatment provided by Biologique Recherche Polish members of VIP Sky Club also receive a welcome PLN 400 beauty salon. For the smoothest boarding possible, a La Première discount coupon. You can pay with it for any intercontinental fl ight staff member accompanies you directly to your aircraft in an indi- in La Premiere or Business classes. Another gift is the option to vidual vehicle. Once on board, you are introduced to the crew. spend one night, before or after the travel in a luxury hotel in War- The cabin is designed as a haven of well-being, combining aes- saw, including breakfast and transfers to/from the airport. In fact, thetics and technology. The cabin comprises between 4 and 9 each passenger of Air France / KLM, travelling in fi rst or business gently curved seats in elegant hues. The meal service is the art class on transcontinental routes, is entitled in Warsaw to a limou- of hosting à la française. Enjoy a unique culinary experience that sine which will take him to the Okęcie airport, or take home after embodies pleasure and elegance. Currently, La Premiere is avail- his arrival in Warsaw. able for Air France fl ights to 30 cities on 4 continents, including to Hong Kong, New York, Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, Bom- The right class THE RIGHT CLASS bay and Dubai. The fi rst class of Air France is called La Premiere. For anyone who Also, the passengers travelling in business class can take ad- experiences it for the fi rst time, it will actually be “a premiere” of ex- vantage of many interesting amenities. Some of them include prior- ceptional travel experience in new, different, and unique condi- ity handling at airports, both before and after the fl ight. There’s also tions. The conditions which might be expected by the most de- a special, separate cabin with excellent service, cuisine and spirits, manding passengers, who are aware of their needs. Of course this comfortable seats which can be reclined into a fl at bed, 15-inch TV offer is, to a large extent, aimed at business people for whom air screens, personal entertainment system and access to the global travel is a substantial part of their professional life At the modern network of business lounges worldwide. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport they can use a special La Premiere If you are interested in VIP Sky Club programme in Poland, for Lounge, which is dedicated exclusively for fi rst-class passengers. more information call 22 55 66 410. ● STARWOOD
Sheraton Hotel Spa in Sopot welcomes to the world of ultimate relaxation
Situated next to the beach of the Baltic Sea, Sheraton Sopot Hotel is facing the longest pier in Europe. Its luxurious Spa truly is a unique place offering a holistic approach to relaxation. A full range of beauty treatments, yoga classes and training programmes designed by the international fi tness instructors are just some of the attractions awaiting you at Sheraton Sopot Spa.
48 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 STARWOOD
oth business and family trav- Furthermore, the club also offers Shera- corrects your mistakes and offers nutri- ellers who appreciate spas ton’s Gym in a Bag available for those of tional guidance. Moreover, group train- and luxury will fi nd it impos- guests who prefer to work out in the pri- ing sessions at the Activity Studio leave sible not to fall in love with vacy of their hotel room. the guests full of happiness and energy. Sheraton Sopot Spa – what Created in conjunction with a dieti- The spa offers a host of classes, including Bmakes this place unique is its architec- cian, the menu of the hotel restaurant Yoga, Pilates, Stretching, Body Art, Box- ture and a holistic approach to relaxa- gives plenty of healthy options in response ing for men and Latin solo dance work- tion. The spa’s treatments not only pam- to the needs of the gym participants. shops. The last maxim, “Rest for it”, con- per your body, but also nurture your mind cerns a truly important element, namely and soul. In Sopot you will restore your FOUR MAXIMS regeneration. There is a reason why spe- balance and tap into your eternal store of Depending on the individual needs and cialists advise to exercise every other day, energy, no matter if you’re travelling on time constraints, Sheraton Fitness Pro- rather than every day, as you should give business or leisure. Our staff will not only grammed by Core Performance offers your body time to rest and regenerate. guide you through the treatments and ex- three kinds of training sessions: to regen- Sheraton Hotel Spa provides you with ercises to suit your individual needs, but erate (30min.), boost your power (45min.) a perfect place where you can soothe your it will also educate you on the importance or a total body power training (60min.). tense muscles – “the Spa Experience” of- on leading a healthy lifestyle. Performance methodology focuses on fers swimming pool or hydrotherapy pool Sheraton Sopot Spa offers one of the four maxims which help you establish with Sopot brine inspired by the Roman best and most effective products and a healthy lifestyle well beyond your stay. tradition, Hamam (low steam), Finnish treatments designed to enhance your “Prepare for it” – when preparing for sauna, brine bath, ice fountain, sensual beauty and uplift your spirit. The prod- training, the attitude and mindset are of rain showers and tepidarium with heat- ucts of the two cosmetic lines used at the vital importance as the awareness and in- ed loungers. spa, Anne Semonin and Dermalogica, tentions motivate, thus helping to achieve The massages and other relaxation guarantee visible results in a short peri- the results you are looking for. An essen- techniques helps to soothe tense mus- od of time. tial part of any exercise is a warm-up, the cles and induce relaxation. The spa offers The professional therapists apply aim of which is to get your whole body a wide selection of massage treatments, in- their expertise to ensure that the treat- prepared for work. “Fuel for it” – proper cluding classic, oriental, therapeutic, re- ments are tailored to your needs, de- nutrition is essential not only in training, laxation and sports massages. For ultimate pending on the type of your skin. To but also in life in general. Our dietary hab- indulgence, try Sheraton Signature Mas- complement your stay, the spa also offers its affect our wellbeing, health and phys- sage with aromatherapy oils which com- a host of other services, like hairdressing ical fi tness. If the training is designed to prises of movements designed by the best salon and the Nail Bar by OPI. help you lose some weight, a professional therapists at Sheraton Hotel Sopot Spa – The professionals of Sheraton Sopot dietician should create an individual nu- the massage involves a series of gentle and Spa place strong emphasis on a healthy trition plan that would refl ect your goals. relaxing strokes, and is carried out on the lifestyle, hence the importance of physi- “Train for it” – movement is the key ele- whole body to improve your well-being. cal exercise. The spa is in a strategic part- ment of the whole programme. However, The Spa Lounge and Library are tru- nership with Core Performance, which the emphasis is placed not only on regu- ly unique – here you can relax in your has designed health and fitness pro- lar exercise but, above all, on being active robe, sipping herbal tea or eating light grammes in order to ensure long-lasting throughout the whole day. For the daily organic food. The Spa Lounge provides effects and fully meet the demands of the commute use your bike instead of driv- you with the opportunity to make new business travellers with time constraints ing a car, and spend your free time play- acquaintances or cultivate those already and the rest of the guests. ing volleyball on a beach or taking a walk made, and all that is accompanied by Sheraton Fitness Programmed by with your loved ones. a stunning sea view. In the Spa Lounge Core Performance is designed with the Sheraton Hotel Spa offers a personal- area you can participate in a wide vari- travellers needs in mind and guarantees ised training programme, which is ex- ety of meetings, lectures and workshops top quality services. For the comfort of tremely popular among the visitors. Each concerning nutrition, public relations, the guests, there is a gymnasium open guest is provided with an individual train- aesthetic medicine and other issues that around the clock with a state-of-the-art er, who designs a training programme modern society can relate to. ■ equipment and an extensive Cardio area. that suits you, motivates you to exercise, Marta Siekierska
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 49 ORBIS
SSummerummer withwith – holidays for families with children ORBIS
50 | LIPIECJULY / AUGUST/ SIERPIEŃ 2011 2011 ORBIS
It’s a real challenge to arrange a nice holiday with children. HEALTHY SNACKS BY GUSTIN Even more so, because the youngest tourists are very demanding The Family & Novotel cares about chil- dren’s meals. There is a special menu – especially when it comes to attractions. What can we do to make for children including their favourite sure that our kids won’t be bored? A holiday stay in one of 11 foods, prepared in line with the prin- Novotel hotels located in Poland seems to be a perfect solution ciples of healthy eating. A toy animal named Gustino encourages kids to for a successful family holiday. Children can expect a whole lot choose something from the menu, and of surprises connected with the characters of the latest Disney/ is also a symbol of the highest quality of Pixar production, called „Cars 2”, but adults will also appreciate the food. Waiting for a meal can also be a great fun, as the youngest guests, even the programme, as no charge is made for children’s stay and in the hotel restaurant, are always tak- breakfast. en care of. While waiting they are given
he offer is especially popular boredom will never take the best of you this season, when the major- or your family. ity of Polish people are going In Family& Novotel programme two on holidays in the country, children under 16 years of age can expect and looking for original ways free accommodation and breakfast, pro- of T spending time with their children. vided they share a room with their par- Www.novotel.com Family&Novotel ents. However, if you prefer to stay on is an integrated leisure programme. On your own – you will get a 50% discount arrival, the youngest guests are greet- on the room for your children. Baby ac- ed with a welcome gift, and with eve- cessories, such as bottle heaters, cribs, ry step they discover a whole new way high chairs and baby change tables are of spending their free time. At the same also available free of charge. Addition- time, parents can expect a comfortable al facilities include a possibility to check stay and top quality service. Novotel ho- out until 5.00 pm on Sunday. tels are therefore a perfect place for both a long stay by the Polish coast, as well as XBOX 360 AND OTHER spending a holiday weekend. With the GAMES FOR TEENAGERS programme you and your children can Teenagers will probably be glad to know, visit such cities as: Warsaw, Gdańsk, that the hotel is equipped with Xbox 360 Katowice, Cracow, Poznań, Szczecin and gaming consoles. They are to be found Wrocław. Many of the hotels have beau- in the lobby, built in comfortable game tiful gardens and swimming pools where terminals which perfectly match the ho- you can relax with your whole family. tel interiors. They are popular not only with little children. Teenagers or adults PACKAGES can also play, e. g. car racing or football FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN games in the virtual world or other games Thanks to the picture charts and crayons to play with. Some Novotel hotels have prepared based on Disney fi lms. Each Novotel ho- Novotel provides families with every- packages for families with children. tel comes with specially arranged mod- cooperation thing they need to make them feel com- Novotel Gdańsk Marina, situated a few ern and colourful playgrounds for chil- of Novotel fortable. Modern, spacious and friend- metres from the beach, near the pier in dren. These are located in the hotel lobby with Disney ly bedrooms are designed in such a way Sopot invites you for “Holidays at the and have been furnished with functional to make both parents and children feel Baltic Sea with grandchildren” and furniture and educational toys. Novotel the summer nice. The bedrooms are equipped with “Family Holidays by the Baltic Sea” In brand cooperates with Kaplan, a compa- holiday will a double bed for the parents, TV with addition to the usual services provid- ny producing building blocks, so chil- kids channels and an easily-convertible ed in “Family & Novotel”, programme, dren can create here various construc- be fi lled with sofa bed. the guests can also expect discounts in tions and develop their imagination. attractions Those who can’t live without compu- Sopot’s aquapark and Helios cinema In the summer season young guests ter or the Internet, will be delighted to in Gdańsk. “Active weekend on Malta ” will be pleased to discover that many at- related to know that if they have their own laptop, – a package by Novotel Poznań Malta tractions and gifts refer to “Cars 2” – the “Cars 2” they can benefi t from the free wired and hotel – is in turn an opportunity to ex- latest production by Disney / Pixar be- movie. wireless internet, both in the rooms, and plore the capital city of the Greater Po- cause Novotel collaborates with Disney in the lobby. If you don’t have a laptop, land together with your kids. Dinghy Company worldwide. The playgrounds that’s not a problem, as you might make sailing, bicycle safari in zoo, roller skat- have been equipped with special car rac- use of the computer zones located in the ing paths and rental points, and a climb- ing tracks, so children can organize re- hotel lobby. ■ ing frame – thanks to these attractions al car racing competition on their own. Visit: www. accorhotels. com
LIPIECJULY / /SIERPIEŃ AUGUST 2011 | 51 FOOD SAFETY
stop Getting sick while travelling is annoying and also more common than we would like. Andrea Li talks to health professionals about precautions road warrios can take the bug DREAMSTIME / ISTOCK
52 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 FOOD SAFETY
ebarrage of terms, from coccus aureus is most often transmitted “Montezuma’s revenge” to food products served or stored at room to “Delhi Belly”, have be- temperature by a food handler, she adds. en used to describe travel- Some types of the E. coli bacteria are ler’s diarrhoea – the most also problematic if they turn pathoge- Acommon form of illness affecting travel- nic. Though any food can become con- lers around the globe. But whatever na- taminated by this bacteria, E. coli food me you choose for it, the symptoms of poisoning cases are more often than not nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping related to undercooked meats as this pre- and diarrhoea are always the same, pla- sents an ideal environment for the bacte- guing tourists at the most inconvenient ria to thrive, and then multiply in the bo- of times and in exotic and urban loca- dy once consumed. les alike. Salmonella is another lethal bacte- The Center for Disease Control and ria found across a range of food groups, Prevention in the US estimates that be- most commonly in poultry, eggs, unpro- tween 20 and 50 percent of international cessed milk, meat and water. It attacks travellers – or an estimated 10 million in- the stomach and intestines, leading to dividuals – develop diarrhoea each year diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and while on the road. It ranks the develo- even fever. For the vast majority of cases, ping countries in South America, Afri- symptoms become apparent within ho- ca, the Middle East and Asia as the hi- urs and the condition can last up to 48 ghest risk destinations. hours, says Dr Schräder. The doctor adds In fact, one in three or four travellers that there is no better course of treatment to Southeast Asia is likely to suffer from than simply to allow your body to expel the condition at some point during their the toxins while keeping yourself well holiday, according to Dr Hans Schräder, hydrated. executive medical director at Matilda In- Food-borne illnesses can become mo- ternational Hospital in Hong Kong. re serious with the likes of Hepatitis A, “It is more common in developing ra- an acute liver disease that can last any- ther than developed countries, particu- larly in places where there is not the in- frastructure in place or access to a high standard of hygiene. It has much more to This page: make where from several weeks to a few mon- sure what you eat do with poor sanitation than the country is well cooked ths, says Dr Schräder. It is most typical- itself,” he explains. ly passed on by an infected food handler, The factors underscoring traveller’s or, at other times, through seafood culti- diarrhoea and food poisoning are plen- vated in murky, dirty water. tiful: from the number of people working Typhoid fever is a deadly food-related in the kitchen to how stringently hygiene illness caused by a bacterial infection rules are observed, whether or not the to- after ingestion of contaminated food or ilet has been built next to the kitchen or water. Most commonly found in the de- the fresh water tap, and the circumstan- veloping world, the primary symptoms ces under which food has been prepared of a fever, headache and diarrhoea can and controlled. initially be hard to detect because the Food poisoning – which can lead to condition tends to run in cycles. severe vomiting and diarrhoea – is most Despite the prevalence of food poiso- often caused by contamination of food ning, doctors and food hygienists say the through infectious agents that include risks can be minimised if individuals ha- viruses, bacteria and parasites. Among ve a good understanding of the origins the most common forms of bacteria is Make sure you get insurance, are of food-borne illnesses, and take the ne- Staphylococcus aureus; this produces cessary precautions. These include cho- a toxin that leads to food poisoning, ac- up to date with your vaccinations, osing with care what and where you eat, cording to Dr Vicki Fong, a lecturer on and bring along some basic anti- opting for well-cooked dishes using the food science and safety at the Hong Kong diarrhoea medicine, says freshest of ingredients and going to bu- Institute of Vocational Education’s De- sy restaurants buzzing with locals, advi- partment of Applied Science. Staphylo- Dr Schräder ses Dr Schräder. ▲
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 53 FOOD SAFETY
cinations, and bring along some basic If it doesn’t seem right don’t eat anti-diarrhoea medicine. It is entire- it, but at the same time, people ly possible to enjoy the local cuisine of shouldn’t get too paranoid either, a country while minimising the risks of getting sick, ” he notes. says Jason Williams Jason Williams, who founded Gras- shopper Adventures, an agency specia- lising in travel across Asia, adds that, asi- He also recommends travellers to de from having clean hands, going with drink water out of a sealed bottle as op- your gut instinct is always important: “I posed to consuming from random ope- always say if it doesn’t seem right don’t n-top glasses, and always be on the alert eat it, but at the same time, people sho- for food that has been prepared much in uldn’t get too paranoid either. There are advance or frozen items, such as ice cre- still many people who think they will get am, that appear to have been defrosted sick if they aren’t eating Western food. then refrozen. The Asian food is the best food they can “You should be well covered if prior get, and kitchens in Western restaurants to travelling you make sure you get in- will look no better than those cooking lo- surance, are up to date with your vac- cal food.” ■
RED FLAGS: THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR: ■ Avoid cold drinks with ice. ■ Don’t eat fresh or cooked food that has been allowed to stand at room tem- perature in warm environments. ■ Steer clear of takeaway and street food unless it has been thoroughly co- oked in front of you. ■ Opt to eat fresh fruit and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Be on the alert for pre-peeled fruits on a fruit platter. ■ Don’t sign up for prepared foods shared with lots of people, in particular buffets. ■ Avoid unpasteurised products including milk, cheese and ice cream. ■ Beware of undercooked raw fi sh, meat or shellfi sh. ■ Be cautious with fresh salads, mayonnaise and salad dressings. ■ Avoid reheated or refrozen foods. ■ Choose eateries that are full of people, particularly locals.
SELF HELP: ■ Talk to your doctor prior to travelling. ■ Buy travel insurance. ■ Update your vaccinations. ■ Consider getting a three-day course of antibiotics such as Quinolone in the event a bout of diarrhoea gets very bad. ■ Take anti-diarrhoea medicine and oral rehydration salts as a precaution, especially for children. ■ Other travel kit must-haves: painkillers for headache and toothache, eye cream for conjunctivitis and anti-infl amma- tory drugs for sprains and strains. ■ Drink plenty of fl uids to keep your body hydrated. ■ If hit by diarrhoea, eat as plain a diet as possible until your system recovers, for instance easily absorbed and dige- stible foods like plain rice or bread. ■ Consult a doctor if conditions persist or worsen after seve- ral days
54 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 E n pages g l is 78-81 h
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● ●● Suzuki K ● ● Bangkok Poker 4hrs in De ● Santiago ● Charity Casablanca auction Wrocław ● ● Paryż Railway hotels Order by e-mail ● Ford Focus Seoul ● ● ● Seszele Airbus ● Poker A380 4hrs in Delhi ● Pekin ● Estonia ● Charity auction FrankfurtSeoul ● Railway hotels [email protected] Supperclub LONDON
ing combinations, as well as a smoking terrace for 30 people. ● 12 Acklam Road; tel +44 (0) 20 8964 6600; supperclub.com ALBANNACH TAVERN Hidden This contemporary Scottish restaurant and whisky bar is looked down upon by Nelson aloft his column in Trafalgar Square, so enjoys a great central location. Open since 2005 and refurbished in 2009, the Albannach dishes up classics such as London haggis or neeps and tatties in a relaxed setting beneath white antler chandeliers. From the beautiful to the bizarre, Alexandra Conroy But the real highlight is its impressive and Jenny Southan go in search of event venues with collection of single malts – bespoke tast- a twist in a range of locations across the capital ing masterclasses (pitched for the nov- ice to the most experienced connoisseur) for a minimum of ten participants can SUPPERCLUB But what makes Supperclub real- be arranged, and provide a unique talk- This uber-trendy mini chain, which ly stand out is its minimalist, space-age ing point for a corporate get-together or kicked off in Amsterdam in 1999 and can interiors, erotic projections, staff in left- teambuilding event. now also be found in San Francisco, Is- fi eld attire, funky music and entertain- The combined ground-fl oor and mez- tanbul and LA, offers “a free state of sen- ment you have to see to believe. Acts zanine restaurant areas can be hired for sual experiences… where unexpected might include operatic drag queens, bur- private functions, seating up to 100 guests combinations lead to unexpected libera- lesque strippers or masochistic clowns on glossy white chairs and black leather tions”. Yes, this might sound pretentious, with a penchant for stapling things to banquettes. Groups can also take over but the venue offers genuinely good cui- their body. the bar, which has a capacity of 180 re- sine and exciting options for day or night- For events, you could book out a wall ception-style, or a private dining room time events. of beds for an offi ce get-together and rev- (for 20 seated), equipped with a 52-inch The London branch opened in Decem- el in the full Supperclub experience – the plasma screen TV for teleconferencing, ber 2009 in a hush-hush location in Not- themes of which regularly change, so you a state-of-the-art Harmon Kardon sound ting Hill, beneath a railway bridge. It’s never know what you are going to get – system, and wifi . essentially a restaurant/nightclub/bar, or hire the entire place for a daytime ex- If you are looking to organise a product but one with several intriguing differenc- hibition. The ground-fl oor Le Bar Rouge launch or networking event, retreat down- es – you have to book in advance and ar- hosts 150 standing, while the main event stairs to the funky, cavernous A Lounge, rive by 8pm, diners recline on white beds, space, La Salle Neige, can accommo- where up to 170 movers and shakers can and food is served in all manner of bizarre date 390 standing (including the mezza- sip cocktails in a stylish setting featuring ways, from salads in silver dog bowls to nine level) or 165 for a “lie-down” dinner. mustard-coloured ottomans, a gold leath-
DREAMSTIME strawberry purée in syringes. There is an array of lighting and furnish- er-fronted bar, chocolate walls and a life-
70 |JULY / AUGUST 2011 Blind Tiger Vanilla
Albannach Tavern from above, and seating is a mix of plastic mod chairs and leather banquettes. Dark drapes line the entry to the space and can provide added privacy. Vanilla hosts eight to 12 private hires a month, and guarantees companies ex- clusive use of its facilities. Projectors, screens, microphones, a PA system, light- ing and wifi are provided. ● 131 Great Titchfi eld Street; tel +44 (0) 20 3008 7763; vanillalondon.co.uk
BLIND TIGER Take your clients back to the golden days of the 1920s for some “illicit dining and forbidden beverages” at this speak- easy-themed establishment in Battersea, south of the Thames. Groups can dine size glowing stag. The rest of this level capacity of 150, the minimalist interior of in one of the themed rooms as Ameri- is taken up by the Vaults – there are fi ve Lounge offers the perfect blank canvas for cana records play in the background, or arches in total, and each is furnished with event organisers. “drink intelligently” at the Library bar, velvet seating for 20 to 30 people. It’s the Against a back wall sits the glowing where staff dressed in waistcoats and caps perfect spot for a late-night dram. bar, fronted with glass inlaid with col- mix forgotten cocktails from the pre- and ● 66 Trafalgar Square; oured lights. Chandeliers hang above post-Prohibition eras. tel +44 (0) 20 7930 0066; each of the ta- The Blind Tiger opened in September albannach.co.uk bles, and black Take clients back to the last year and was originally a two-storey cushions ac- barn dating back to the 1500s. It appeared VANILLA cent the white 1920s for some ‘illicit dining on one of the earliest maps of Clapham, Located just north of Soho, in the upmar- leather seating and forbidden beverages’ forming part of the Claphampton Manor ket Fitzrovia district, this cutting-edge surrounding Estate, and is said to have played host to restaurant-cum-cocktail bar has hosted them. Curtains hanging from the ceiling a banquet for Elizabeth I. Today, the res- everyone from News International and can be used to separate areas of the room taurant/bar can be hired for up to 40 peo- Credit Suisse to Sony and Calvin Klein or direct the fl ow of guests as they move ple for dinner, and up to 250 for drinks for private functions. Upon descending around the venue. and canapes, and catering and entertain- the stairs, the signature scent of vanilla Just off the main space is a second room ment – from jazz to cabaret – is taken care fi rst captures the senses, followed by the that holds 40 guests for dinner or 70 for of in-house. On Wednesdays and Thurs- shine of the silver and white wall designs pre-dinner drinks. Up to 30 people can days, sultry singers perform. that entice guests into the sophisticated also be accommodated for seated pres- Kick off the night with drinks in the open white space below. With a standing entations. Black glass light fi ttings hang Conservatory before dining on clas-
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 71 LONDON
Bathhouse Town Hall
sic British food in the dimly lit Red and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in airport. An unusual choice for a hotel de- Black oriental lounge seating 12, or in the Jerusalem. velopment, it also offers a novel option Mezzanine, accessible by stairs and seat- It is possible to host up to 80 guests for for meetings – the wood-panelled Coun- ing up to 20 people. The Black and White a drinks reception in the Cocktail room, cil Chamber, which features raised mag- bar provides a good space for a small which features red velvet drapes, disco isterial dark green leather seating for up drinks-and-dinner gathering, holding balls and screens showing illuminated to 80 people. up to 20, while the second-fl oor ballroom skeletons. The Golden Birdcage restau- The largest room for events is the accommodates 45 revellers. Here you will rant, fi tted with a bar and a DJ booth in Bethnal Hall, which is made up of four fi nd the original beams of the old barn, a giant golden cage, has space for 280 re- interconnecting rooms that can be sep- maroon walls, brown leather booths and ception-style, while for a more intimate arated with sliding walls of polished a grand crystal chandelier. group, two private booths on either side wood. It can accommodate up to 188 The venue offers a variety of team- of the bar seat ten to 20 in each. Enter- guests seated. The De Montfort suite, in building activities, such as cocktail or hat- tainment from fi re-twirling to cabaret what was the main council room, accom- making classes, and even burlesque les- can be laid on, with the option to build modates 60 people theatre-style. Like the sons for the brave. Note, though, that it is a stage in the main dining area. bedrooms and apartments, it pays hom- only open for private functions that incor- ● 7-8 Bishopsgate Churchyard; age to fi fties design, with original pieces porate food, as it is primarily a restaurant. tel +44 (0) 20 7920 9207; of vintage furniture. ● 697 Wandsworth Road; thebathhousevenue.com The Town Hall also has a 15-metre tel +44 (0) 20 7498 0974; swimming pool, a gym and a fi ne-dining blindtigerlondon.co.uk TOWN HALL restaurant with cuisine by Portuguese The up-and-coming East End is home to chef Nuno Mendes. All 98 bedrooms BATHHOUSE the Town Hall Hotel and Apartments. As come with free wifi internet access, fl at- Built beneath the streets of the City its name suggests, the Edwardian build- screen TVs and DVD players. in 1895 as a Victorian bathhouse, this ing used to be Bethnal Green council’s ● Patriot Square; quirky venue was converted into a res- administrative headquarters, but after tel +44 (0) 20 7871 0460; taurant in the 1970s and now caters for its life in public service came to an end townhallhotel.com a variety of events, from parties to con- in 1993, it was completely revamped and certs, across two rooms. It still retains ele- unveiled as one of the area’s trendiest, GENTING CASINOS ments from its days as a Turkish bath, in- and most upmarket, hotels. Genting manages fi ve gaming establish- cluding the original red, blue and white Open since spring last year, the prop- ments in the capital, including Max- tiling in the stairwell, the columns and erty is a few minutes» walk from Bethnal ims and Mint in Kensington, and Col- arches in the area below ground, and Green underground station, convenient ony Club in Mayfair. But the two that the design of the kiosk, modelled on for access to the City and London City are best suited for glamorous corporate
72 |JULY / AUGUST 2011 Crockfords casino
Circus
events are Crockfords and Palm Beach, ition, while the restaurant, which offers both also in Mayfair. direct access to the May Fair hotel next The former dates back to 1828, when door, can seat 60 people. it was set up by William Crockford as After eating, groups can place their a high-class members» club, but it has bets at one of the 20-odd tables in occupied its current position on Curzon the 24-hour casino. Organisers should Street since 1983. The Grade II-listed note that visitors do not need to be mem- Georgian house offers a classy yet home- bers to gain access to these venues since ly setting for banquets, product launches regulations have been relaxed. or after-parties. ● Crockfords, 30 Curzon Street; The highlight is the luscious ball- tel +44 (0) 20 7493 7771; room, bedecked in gold and crystal chan- crockfords.com. deliers. It has space for 180 standing and Palm Beach, 30 Berkeley Street; a mezzanine bar adjacent. There is also tel +44 (0) 20 7493 6585; a fi rst-fl oor restaurant serviced by fi ve thepalmbeach.co.uk; show table in the main restaurant is where head chefs, each specialising in a partic- gentingcasinos.co.uk/london you want to be. ular cuisine, and a private dining room The atrium space can accommodate 30 for ten people. The restaurant, which CIRCUS diners around a long granite slab with may be moved to the space the ballroom A short walk from Covent Garden tube steps at either end, you will experience now occupies later this year, can also be station and through a set of easy-to-miss a fi ve-minute performance every hour – used for private events at lunchtime. Af- heavy steel doors, Circus is the place to so while you are tucking into your Cajun ter dinner, guests can try their luck in bring associates for a bit of razzle daz- seabass or ginger and green peppercorn a series of rooms fi tted out with glossy zle. Open for lunch and dinner, it can al- chicken, you might also be watching a se- roulette wheels and black jack tables. so be exclusively rented out for functions. quin-spangled contortionist or a fire- Just down the road on Berkeley Street A bar at the back breathing trapeze artist gyrate in front of is the Vegas-style Palm Beach Casino, will mix you up ‘Circus is the place to you, or above you in the air. The 300-ca- which is ideal for bespoke corporate a punch-bowl pacity venue celebrated its fi rst birthday poker nights of up to about 50 players cocktail (equiv- bring associates for a bit in January, and since opening has hosted (they’re said to be popular with the boys alent to 20 glass- of razzle dazzle’ companies such as Sega, Louis Vuitton in the City). The Berkeley room on the es) consisting of and Charles Worthington. ■ ground fl oor has a karaoke machine and one bottle of premium spirits, one bottle ● 27-29 Endell Street; can accommodate up to 20 delegates for of champagne and fresh fruit juices, and tel +44 (0) 20 7420 9302; drinks, canapés and private gaming tu- a VIP area with turquoise seating, but the circus-london.co.uk
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 73 INCENTIVE TRAVEL
A City Of A Thousand Bridges A great town of true moral freedom, a huge number of water canals and bikes, offers dozens of memorable attractions for participants of a corporate jolly. Olga Chełchowska explores Amsterdam. ou can meet there people from houses, canals, mills and windmills. In- almost every corner of the world terestingly enough, the whole venture and hear numerous foreign lan- formed in 1952, wasn’t built for delivering guages. Such cultural and eth- profi ts. The miniature city was founded by nic melting pot can’t be found parents of a student who had been mur- Yanywhere else in Europe. Although it’s dered in the Nazi death camp at Dachau called the Venice of the North, probably in 1945. A large part of Madurodam’s in- only few people realize that Amsterdam come goes to charity. has, in fact, far more channels than the re- On returning to Amsterdam, the best nowned Italian city. Amsterdam’s name way to start visiting the city is to take a ca- is indicative of the city’s origins – i. e. the nal cruise. There are well over a hundred dam on the Amstel River, and it appears of them, allowing you to reach the most as early as in the 13th century records. Fol- remote corners of the metropolis. How- lowing a gigantic fi re of 1452 year, which ever the incentive programme provides destroyed much of the buildings, the city’s additional excitement, because the par- authorities forbade the use of wood as con- ticipants jump on water bikes and begin struction material. At that time many a “treasure hunt” that is a race against wonderful brick tenements appeared and time to fi nd a solution to various riddles. the town grew into one of the most impor- The winning team gets a prize and the tant commercial and administrative cen- group goes on a sightseeing tour round tres throughout the continent. the city. A very common means of trans- portation in Amsterdam is a bicycle, so the RED LANTERNS group can opt for this way of sightseeing. Getting to Amsterdam can’t be easier. The In the evening there is, of course, a walk simplest way is of course by air. The fl ight through the city’s Red Light district. The takes less than 2 hours and there are sev- place doesn’t have a particularly good rep- eral connections from Warsaw daily. An utation with its state-controlled brothels unforgettable impression is a trip to the employing ladies from all continents who Hague with famous Madurodam – a min- wait in illuminated windows for their cus- iature city which is a model of a typical tomers. There also a lot of burlesque thea- Dutch town. There are about 700 build- tres offering programmes for adults only. ings in 1:25 scale, composed of typical Dutch buildings and landmarks, as are A BIT OF CULTURE found at various locations in the coun- The fans of another equally popular dis- try. They are the canals of Amsterdam, cipline – football – can fulfi l their great
DREAMSTIME / FOTOLIA Schiphol Airport, the port, as well as old dream, visiting the stadium of Ajax Am-
60 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 INCENTIVE TRAVEL
sterdam. Although the Amsterdam Are- In Amsterdam you can meet people van Gogh (there are also works of other na was opened in 1996, it’s still one of the from all over the world. The city is masters) at the same time describing the fi nest and most modern sports facilities different stages of his turbulent life. of its kind in the world. It has a capaci- famous for its cultural and moral Another place to visit is the Rijksmuse- ty of 52,960 seats during football match- frfreedomeedom um, the national museum of art, collect- es and its hallmark is a retractable roof. ing thousands of magnifi cent paintings Ajax plays here their league matches, and (by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals), sculp- the stadium is also a major venue for na- tures, and works of applied arts. The mu- tional football team’s matches, as well as seum presents not only the Dutch and many concerts. European art, but there is also a very rich Among the dozens of Amsterdam’s exhibition of works from Asia. museums, two are particularly worth vis- iting. The fi rst one is the Van Gogh Mu- THE TASTE OF DARKNESS seum with dozens of works by the paint- Amsterdam each year is visited by more er who in his lifetime was barely known than 4 million tourists – fi ve times more to anyone. However, after his tragic death,h, tthan the city has residents. Not surpris- he became to be considered as one of thee iingly then, there are a lot of attractions greatest artists in history. Vincent vann tthere. Apart from the ones mentioned Gogh began to paint in his late twenties,s, aabove, you can also go to the famous created Post-Impressionist landscapes,s, HHeineken brewery, visit the fl ower mar- genre views, and portraits. Fascinat-- kket on the oldest canal called Singel, the ed by Gauguin and his painting, follow-w- ddiamond centre, or the Anne Frank’s ing a quarrel with this great artist, dur-r- hhouse, where she was hiding and wrote ing one of many fi ts of his mental illness,s, hher memoirs. he cut off his ear. We know him primari-i- A perfect culmination of the expedi- ly from the famous „Sunfl owers” paint-t- ttion to one of the craziest cities in Europe, ing. The museum, housed in two build-d- wwill be a visit to Ctaste restaurant. It’s a re- ings, shows paintings and drawings byy mmarkable journey into the land of fra- ggrances and fl avours. All thanks to the fact tthat the meals in the restaurant are served iin total darkness. The group is split into tteams which follow the waiter (who is ei- ther a blind person, or is equipped with an NVD), and sit down at the tables, groping around the table for the cutlery. The dish- es appear on the table along with instruc- tions of the personnel, which at all times makes sure that nothing wrong happens to the participants in those unusual con- ditions. Those who have ever been there, say that it’s an unforgettable experience. Just like the entire stay in Amsterdam. ■
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 61 A BUSINESSMAN ON HOLIDAY
Sweet laziness combined with a large number of sports activities, comfortable accommodation,odation, excellent cuisine and hundreds Onof othotherer The Edge Of attractions included in the price. Sounds like a recipe for a successful holiday.liday. Welcome to the Portuguese Da Balaia Club Med resort. Europe
62 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 A BUSINESSMAN ON HOLIDAY
ortugal is a very charming coun- DaD Balaia P try – a fact known not only to the cine- ma enthusiasts. Portugal is a destination iis an ideal for more and more tourists, including pplace for the Polish ones. Algarve, situated to the South, is the main touristic region. It’s ffamily here, in one of the bays – surrounded by hholidays, typical in this area, red cliffs, in the close proximity to the town of Albufeira (less bbut it’s also than 40 kilometres from the airport in aa paradise Faro), where the Da Balaia Club Med resort is situated. It’s easily-noticeable, ffor golf lovers as the white building walls sharply con- trast with the redness of rocks and azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an ide-
al place for comfortable leisure, as the re- tels, each with a different name. La Tour sort isn’t only beautifully-situated, close is situated next to a huge swimming pool to the Ocean, but also has access to its basin, Pyramide is located closer to the own, 200-metre-long beach. Da Balaia tennis courts, while the highest, six-sto- is an ideal place for family holidays, but rey Golf Hotel is located at some distance since there are numerous golf courses in from the centre of the resort, near the golf the area, apart from having a rest, you can club building. also learn the secrets of this fascinating Visitors can choose from 372 rooms, di- sport – unless you haven’t had a chance vided into categories. The basic category before. Naturally, as usually with Club is Club Rooms – decorated with subdued Med resorts, its visitors can enjoy thou- colours highlighted with red and brown sands of attractions included in the price. accents. They come with terraces over- looking the ocean or the garden. Rooms THE CLUB LUXURY are air-conditioned, and equipped with Da Balaia resort could hardly be referred an LCD TV, a hair-dryer, a mini fridge, to as a “hotel”, as it comprises of three ho- a safe, and one or two beds. Larger and ▲
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 63 A BUSINESSMAN ON HOLIDAY
more comfortable Deluxe rooms are to be Restaurant Vasco de Gamma is an ide- of the players, 6 days a week. Club Med found in Golf and Le Tour hotels. They al place for those, who want to eat a late provides all the equipment. Apart from come with a completely different colour lunch, for instance, after a trip, or to spend the free course, you can choose to take scheme: vivid yellow and green colours an evening in a more elegant atmosphere. part in some extra-chargeable activities, stimulate the energy. But if you wish to Meals are served a la carte, and the guests which includes: private sessions for play- have some rest, you can do so on the ter- have to book tables at reception desk. The ers of different skill level and of various race, equipped with deckchairs. The De- restaurant specializes in seafood. length, access to the nearby golf courses, luxe rooms come with an iron and an In the evenings, guests usually social- recording the game and then analyzing ironing board, a mini bar and coffee and ize in bars, whose offer has been divided the movements together with the coach, tea making facilities. Guests have also ac- into to categories. The price of the stay in- and access to a training net, designed es- cess to free water, a bathrobe, slippers, and cludes snacks and drinks served in glass- pecially to train ball hitting (the net stops also the turn-down service. But the fanci- es, such as water, fruit juices, sodas, al- the ball), any many more. er equipment comes with the biggest, Da coholic and non-alcoholic drinks and Naturally, golf isn’t the only activity Balaia suites. Guests can use a coffee ma- cocktails, wine, and some stronger liq- you can engage in. There are many more chine and CD/MP3 player. The resort al- uor. But if you would like to have some sports to choose from. The offer includes: so provides them with a transfer to and champagne, cognac, soft drinks in bot- petanque, swimming pool, tennis and ta- from the airport, as well as free lunch for tles or cans, or bottled wine, you will be ble tennis, archery, fi tness, Pilates class- those who come to Da Balaia before 3.00 charged extra. Da Balaia has two bars, the es, kayaking, soccer, volleyball. All the sports activities, as well as evening enter- tainment, organized by the staff, referred to as GO (Gentle Organizers), are includ- ed in the price. The Da Balaia Spa is called Cinq Mondes. Its offer includes treatments and massages from different parts of the world, with the predominance of Asian countries. It’s located in the main build- ing and consists of 8 rooms for individual treatments, one double room, and a Zen tea room a leisure corner and a cloak- room. All of the treatments concentrate around a particular theme. And thus, you can fi nd energy, balancing, beauty, treat- ments, as well as treatments for two. They can be combined into a few-day packages that provide total relaxation and revital- ize the whole organism. Spa treatments are charged extra. p.m. They also have access to dedicated former – Amalia, is located inside the ho- service. All the hotels are equipped with tel, while the latter, Falesia is located by elevators. the pool and is open throughout the day.
CULINARY ART CULINARY The culinary offer is usually a strong Club Med resorts are known for their ex- point of Club Med resorts. The price of tremely intensive promotion of sports ac- the stay includes breakfast, lunch and tivities and the Portuguese resort is no dinner. The Balai Restaurant offers in- different in this respect. Staying here ternational cuisine, and you can eat your is a great opportunity to recharge the meals here while looking at the ocean batteries. In the neighbourhood of Da through the huge windows. The food here Balaia, there are several golf clubs, and is served in the form of a rather rich buf- the resort intensively promotes this in- fet, thanks to which you have a chance to teresting and relaxing sport. The price try thousands of meals from all over the of their stay includes lessons at the Golf world. Parents, who wish to prepare meals Academy. This is a series of courses run for their children, can benefi t from the so- by qualifi ed instructors, thanks to whom called Baby Zone. Special meals for chil- the beginners can learn the basics of golf, dren are served here, and the place is while the more advanced players can im- equipped with a microwave, a bottle heat- prove their skills. Sessions are conduct- er and a blender. ed in groups, divided according to skill
64 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 A BUSINESSMAN ON HOLIDAY
OFFER FOR KIDS which, the parents can engage in their turesque little bays between the cliffs. Algarve Da Balaia is a very good spot to have activities. Childcare in Baby Club Med Another interesting offer is a trip to the a family holiday, especially that Club and Petit Club Med is also charged extra. ocean-carved caves, in which you can ob- is a very Med – unlike many other hotels – at- Both of these places are well equipped, serve unusual light effects. To get there, interesting tach great importance to the kids offer. and resemble a top class nursery school. the visitors get onboard of a small fi shing area. You Children aged 4 months to 2 years are cutter. If you are a fan of sea expeditions, taken care of, in the so called Baby Club AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD you can go on a one-day yacht trip, and should Med. Parents can leave their kids here The Club Med resort offers a possibility have some barbecue at the beach. defi nitely fi nd and be sure that they are well looked af- to see countless attractions in the neigh- When staying in Da Balaia, you can ter. Their day is carefully organized bourhood. It’s worth taking the chance, learn about the history and culture of the some time to and filled with various activities and as both the town of Albufeira and the area. A one-day trip to Sagres and La- go on one of meals. At 6.30 pm the Baby Restaurant whole Algarve area, are fascinating re- gos will allow you to explore the cliffs of is opened. It’s a spot, where parents can gions. Jeep expedition allows you to ex- Ponta Piedade, the city of Lagos with its the tours dine together with their children. Petit plore the region, with its olive groves, churches, an old slave market and the Club Med, in turn, is a place for chil- vineyards – a half-day trip is also an oc- statue of Henry the Navigator. The Sa- dren aged 2-4 years. A this age, children casion to taste some of the local prod- gres, in turn, is a typical fi shing port. You behave like little explorers, so the pro- ucts. Another offer is a catamaran sea can also go to Lisbon, Faro, Olhao and gramme contains hundreds of games trip along the coast, which also lasts half the fi shing town of Tavira, the local ba- and outdoor activities Petit Club Med a day. It allows you to admire and the zaar in Loulé, as well as to a marine park is also open in the evening, thanks to unique rock forms and bathe in the pic- to see a dolphin show. ■
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 65 GOLF
The fi nal tournament of Dr Irena Eris Laadies Golf Cup was held in mid-June this year. The gold medal of the ladies internatiional Polish golf champioonship was won by 20-year-old Martyna Mierzwa (KG Tooya). The second place went to CCzech Dominika Czudkoova, and the third one to Katarzyyna Selwent (Kalinowe Poola GC).
he three-day tournament, which Cosmetic Institute. Ladies competed for gathered as many as 88 compet- cups founded by the Polish Golf Union, ing ladies, is the most prestig- and APART company. The best Polish T ious event for women golfers in participant of the event received an invita- Poland. Dr Irena Eris Ladies» Golf Cup tion to the prestigious tournament, Deut- isn’t just a sport competition, but also an sche Bank Ladies» Swiss Open. opportunity to take care of onself in the Dr Irena Eris Ladies Golf Cup is the full sense of the word. The golf enthusi- second competition in a series of top-level asts stayed at SPA Dr Irena Eris Dylews- tournaments of SUPER category in DHL kie Hills hotel, and visited Dr Irena Eris Global Forwarding Ranking by PGU.
66 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 GOLF
GOLF W…
The weather conditions were rather eller, which as you probably know likes diffi cult, contributing to the overall dif- and promotes golf, was one of the me- fi culty of the competition. The fi rst day dia sponsors of the event, and we also of the tournament was interrupted by sponsored, “the longest drive” played three storms. Some competitors had to on hole 7. fi nish their rounds at dawn the following The tournament has been held since day. It wasn’t easy, but this only brought 2007, and each time it’s bigger, as well as the winners greater satisfaction. We also more and more popular. Next year, it’s go- have a reason to rejoice. Business Trav- ing to be even better. ■
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 67 TECHNO ME AL MO IT R The summer ‘Techno’ section in Busi- IE ness Traveller is devoted entirely to IG photo and video equipment. After S D all, it will make sure that our holi- day memories will stay with us for
longer. The presented devices are •
designed primarily for amateurs,
•
since professionals don’t need to
be advised. In this month’s issue
D
Darek Zawadzki has chosen 6 de-
I vices which are good both for taking S G
pictures and fi lming videos. They are E I I
simply versatile. T R
A
L O
M M E
CANON EOS 60D EOS 60D features a sleek shape of the body, a new button layout that facilitates quick and easy opera- tion and a set of creative features. The device is aimed primarily at ad- vanced amateurs. The camera has a 18-MP CMOS sensor of APS-C size (1.6 x), an efficient DIGIC 4 processor, a 19-point AF system, full aperture metering with 63 zone Dual Layer. The standard ISO 100- 6400 sensitivity range can be ex- tended to the 12,800. Canon takes continuous shots at 5.3 fps (up to 58 JPEG images at full resolution in one series). Some of the novel- ties include a tilted 3-inch LCD Vari- angle widescreen, as well as SDXC memory card support. In addition to great pictures the Canon’s SLR also records HD video in manu- al control mode. Prices: EOS 60D „body”: PLN 4,699, with 18-55IS lens: PLN 4,999, with 17-85IS lens: PLN 5,999. Summary: The SLR which appeared on the market in August 2010, is relatively small in size and quite easy to operate. A real treat for amateur photographers.
68 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 TECHNO
SANYO Xacti VPC-PD1 Sanyo, which is owned by Panasonic, has been targeting ama- teur cameramen for many years. All this owing to the unusual de- sign of its Xacti camcorders. At fi rst glance, Xacti devices look like digital cameras, but if you read the technical data of the camcord- ers, you will fi nd out that video recording is their really strong point. Of course, apart from recording video in full HD, model VPC-PD1 also takes high-quality photos (10 MP). It seems that Sanyo itself has a problem with fi nding an appropriate name for this handy machine, hence the term – Dual Camera – meaning „two func- tions in one”. Xacti has a F 3.1 – 5.9 lens with 3x optical zoom (4x digital), 1/2.33 „C-MOS sensor, 2” LCD screen, as well as built- in USB and HDMI ports. The camera’s dimensions are 63.1 x 22 x 110.8 mm with the weight of 122 g (with battery and SD memo- ry card). Price: around PLN 500. Summary: Xacti products are aimed at active customers who feel young in the heart. They offer excellent design, high quality at very affordable price. They are a good choice for those who fi nd it diffi cult to decide whether to take photos or record videos.
Nikon COOLPIX P7000 The fl agship Nikon’s camera was created ing mode with low noise. The Coolpix can in cooperation with professional photogra- save your photos in NRW+ (COOLPIX phers. The result is a compact, but very ad- RAW) format, which allows for later ad- vanced device. The very layout of buttons vanced processing of the images on the and knobs, such as the steering dial or the computer. Of course, the device also AE-L/AF-L memory button, immediately records HD videos. The price of this ex- bring into mind similar solutions applied in tremely intelligent compact camcorder is SLRs. P7000 is equipped with a wide an- about PLN 2100. gle 6,0-42,6 mm lens with 7.1-times opti- Summary: it’s a top shelf product, allowing you cal zoom, 1/1, 7-inch 10.1 MP CCD and to experiment with manual settings. Nikon pro- a 3-inch LCD screen. The camera works vides the users with a wide range of accessories well when shooting in low light, has a wide for this model. The camera is recommended for sensitivity range from ISO 100 to 3200 (ex- advanced amateurs for whom typical SLRs are pandable to 6400 ISO) and a night-shoot- still to diffi cult to handle.
JVC GS-TD1 You can see at the very fi rst glance, that Victor’s device (JVC – Victor Company of Japan) belongs to an exclusive club of 3D cameras. It has, after all, two lenses (HD GT, F 1.2 – 2.28 3D), two 3.32-MP CMOS and a very powerful FALCONBRID image processor, simultaneous- ly processing two HD images – left and right with a resolution of 1920 x 1080i – in a single chip. All this, to record 3D images in Full HD. The quality of this camera is best proved by its price – a head spinning PLN 7499. Onboard: 5x optical zoom 3D, automatic image stabiliza- tion (reduces differences, adds depth to 3D images), JVC BIPHONIC technology (dynamic 3D sound), automatic parallax adjustment (op- timization of 3D video images). The data is stored on SDHC/SDXC cards and 64 GB of internal memory. The effects of your work can be seen on TVs supporting 3D (glasses required) or directly on the de- vice’s 3.5-inch LCD 3D screen (without glasses). The dimensions Summary: the prices of 3D devices are still relatively high, so before buy- (102 x 64 x 186 mm) and the weight of 590 grams (without batteries), ing this type of camera you’d better get acquainted with the 3rd dimension. won’t make it the world’s smallest camera, but this is the price to pay A visit to a good electronics shop will help you decide whether you should for the quality of the device. enter the 3D world or rather stick to the good old 2D. ▲
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 69 TECHNO
lens and Exmor image sensor. The device has a dedicated camera button – takes pictures in 2D or 3D with an ef- fective resolution of 5.1 MP. The data is collect- ed on the 8 GB internal memory. Bloggie, as the name suggests, is perfectly integrat- ed with social network- ing sites. It connects to Sony MHS-FS3 your computer via the Also known as Bloggie 3D – the world’s fi rst 3D USB interface and sends pictures or videos di- pocket camera (weighing only 120 g, and mere- rectly to sites such as Facebook and YouTube. ly 17.3 mm thick). It records both movies in Full Price PLN 1200. HD 1920 x 1080 / 30p (2D) and three-dimension- Summary: an excellent choice for beginners keen on al images with stereo sound. All thanks to two trying the thrills of 3d technology, and often using so- F2.8 lenses with autofocus and 4x optical zoom cial networking sites.
PANASONIC HDC – SD900 A reasonable price (about PLN 4,000) and impressive specifi - cations make this device one of the best cameras on the mar- ket. The camera records the high-quality 1080/50p 2D image – (Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels, 50 fps) at 28 Mb/s (at a 28-Mbps bit rate it conveys about twice the information of 1,080i), and the optional 3D Conversion Lens (VW-CLT1) allows the camcord- er to record 3D images. Of course we shouldn’t expect it to pro- duce „Avatar”-like effects, but remember that this is an amateur camcorder designed for home use. The Optional Conversion Lens costs PLN 1,299. The classic chassis of the camcorder features 1/4.1-type MOS x 3 image sensor with 7.59 million effec- tive pixels. This system distributes the light received through the lens into three primary colours (red, green, blue), and then proc- esses each of them independently, providing high-quality col- our and gradation. The camcorder features Leica Dicomar lens (F1.5 – 2.8) with a 12x optical zoom. The data is recorded to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The dimensions of the device are: 66 x 72x 146 mm, weight approx. 395g (without batteries). Summary: it’s a great tool for amateur fi lmmakers who appreciate high qual- ity 2D images, and wish to experience the 3D, but don’t have a large budget.
70 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 TASTES OF THE WORLD
The cuisine that still awaits its discovery
It is believed that internationalisation has revolutionized cuisine more ly it was meant as a meatless soup with no globules of fat fl oating on top (hence than any other fi eld of our life. Each one of us is familiar with spaghetti, the name blind fi sh) a number of people sushi or camembert. However, not everyone is capable of naming do add some meat, for instance spare ribs. traditional dishes that constitute Polish regional cuisine even though Forszmak is a thick meat soup from there is a thousand of restaurants with a sign saying “Polish cuisine”. the east regions of Poland. Although some may associate it with goulash, in reality it has nothing to do with this tradition- al Hungarian meal, despite the fact that sometimes it is served with paprika, which encourages such association. Like the rest of regional specials, forszmak can be pre- pared in various ways with meat, which constitutes the basic ingredient. As such it can come in any form, from smoked pork loin or bacon to porkneck and Polish kielbasa. Prepare approximately ½ kg of pork loin (alterna- tively, use ¼ kg of kielbasa or smoked bacon), chicken or vegetable stock, ex- tra-thick double cream, fl our, spices (salt, pepper, all- he reality of Polish cuisine per- for 20-25mins. Place the mix- spice and sweet pepper), toma- fectly bears out the cliché that ture on a plate and spread un- to paste, several pickled cucum- “the grass is always greener on til even, then make a dent in the bers and an onion). Cut the meat the other side of the fence.” Al- centre and fi ll it with the earlier into cubes and brown in a pan. Then though very view amateur chefs prepared fat (lard or butter). Depend- add it together with the chopped cucum- Tfi nd it diffi cult to defi ne a number of Ital- ing on the individual preference, you can W fi nd it more bers and tomato pasta to the boiling stock, ian, French or Chinese traditional meals, add some milk to the boiling mixture or diffi cult to and season everything. Add enough wa- most of them haven’t got the slightest idea even serve bryjka with salo as a condiment. ter so that all ingredients are covered. The how to prepare typically Polish dishes like Let’s now take our culinary adven- recognize soup should be simmered with a lid and bryjka, ślepe ryby or forszmak. Well, they ture from the Polish Highlands to Great specialties then thickened with a roux. The forsz- are certainly missing out as each of these Poland (a region of west-central Poland) of our native mak should always have a thick consist- dishes is both delightful and intriguing. where ślepe ryby (eng. blind fi sh) await us. cuisine than ency and is best served with some bread. Is Let’s take the fi rst item “on our menu” Oddly enough, the dish with such unique it tasty? – naturally. After all, it is of Polish – however silly bryjka sounds in Polish, name has actually nothing to do with fi sh the Italian or origin. ■ it has a truly rich history dating back – it’s a simple potato soup that used to be French ones Artur Kolger over 1,500 years, when it was extreme- staple food of common folks. Because of its ly popular among the early Slavs, as has simplicity, in preparation we are allowed been established by the researchers of for a whole range of variations and confi g- a Warsaw university. Since such heritage urations, with the basic ingredients of ½ carries with it considerable responsibili- kg potatoes, a combination of vegetables ties it’s high time bryjka became popular- (parsley, celeriac, leek, onion, etc.), salt and ised. Our ancestors used to prepare it from pepper. To boiling vegetable stock add the nettle, sorrel and knotgrass. However, with potatoes chopped into cubes. Then pre- the time the ingredients have changed pare roux by mixing fl our with the onion, and bryjka itself is now listed as a tradi- and add everything to the broth, togeth- tional Polish Highlands dish. Although er with the previously cleaned vegeta- it’s easy to make, during the preparation bles. Now our dish is ready to be served. it’s necessary that you rely on your gut For a variety’s sake we can make it more feel. Add some fl our (for instance whole unique by adding a range of other vege- wheat fl our) to salted boiling water un- tables and spices like carrots, marjoram,
FOTOLIA til the mixture becomes thick and boil it bay laurel, or allspice. Although original-
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 71 WINE
More and more often, when looking at wine lists in restaurants, you can come across poetic descriptions of aromas found in different wines. Therefore, you may be asking yourself whether these are only thinly-veiled sales gimmicks, or quite the opposite – detailed and truthful descriptions of what you might expect? All in all, why would any wine smell of lily of the valley or asphalt in the fi rst place? ISTOCK
72 |JULY / AUGUST 2011 WINE Why does wine only rarely smell of grapes?
s surprising as it may seem, cal fruit aromas, very concentrated and the quality of aromas will increase. Aging wine can smell of nearly eve- much less acidic than their counterparts wine in oak barrels, spices up its final rything. The mystery lies in from Europe – though, you have to ad- character and contributed to the already the process of fermenting mit, they are slightly less sophisticated. great number of aromas. The barrels are the grape juice, before it The other factor is the variety of a grape- produced mainly in France and the USA. A turns into wine. Apart from changing vine. Their number amounts to sever- American barrels, depending on age and sugars into alcohol, the process involves al thousands. Some of them, like French level of toasting, will enrich wine with the thousands of other minor reactions, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (white) or aromas of vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, coffee which have a major infl uence on the fi - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sarah and cream. French ones, in turn, add the nal effect – the overall character and aro- (red), have gained world-wide recogni- aromas of freshly-tanned leather, tobacco, ma of a wine. Aromatic substances can tion, while others are popular only with- rotten wood or black pepper. The trick is be compared to building blocks, which in its native region, like Nero d’Avola to be able to use the barrel competently. can be used to create almost indefi nite from Sicily, or one valley – like Morenillo A popular tendency among winemakers number of scents. And so, during the fer- from Catalonia. Each variety has its own from the New World is making up for the mentation, grape aromas get broken, and unique character, and is responsible for poor quality of the fruit, by aging wine for the new elements combine together in specifi c aromas. Sauvignon Blanc is of- too long in a barrel. As a result, wine loses a quite chaotic way, creating new forms, ten scented with gooseberry or black- its character and authenticity. Sometimes and new aromas. That’s precisely how we berry overtones. Chardonnay smells of it’s better not to mature a wine at all, rath- get fruit, fl owery, ground, herbal or min- citrus fruit, Nebbiolo – liquorice and er than keep it in a barrel for a long time. eral aromas. cranberries, while Tempranillo – with All things considered, you can jump cherries and rosemary. Naturally, as the at only one conclusion: the range of aro- Each of the THE RANGE OF AROMAS climate, where a given variety is grown, mas in wine is indefi nite, and so, every There are three factors which have im- gets warmer, the fruity aromas become time you reach out for a bottle, you may thousands pact on the aromas in wine. First of all, sweeter and more delicate, which does discover something new. Just remember of varieties the so called terroir, i. e. expression of not necessarily mean that the wine it- that winemaking involves great deal of soil and microclimate, where the grape- self gets better. And fi nally, the third, and care and patience, and your efforts will has its own vine grows. Wine produced in cold cli- most dynamic factor – the method of pro- pay off. I can guarantee you that sooner character mate is more acidic, sophisticated and duction. This includes working in a vine- or later, almost every aroma we invent- smells of fresh, native fruit with min- yard, pruning, controlling the vine’s ef- ed, will be found in one of the thousands and develops eral aromas, making you think of the fi ciency and age, as well as selecting the of wine bottles – be it the scent of asphalt an individual smell of water from a well or a moun- right fermentation and maturing meth- in Pinotage by Neethlingshof, year 2003 tain stream. Warm climate wines, on the od. If you can take care of grapevine, se- from South Africa, or a lily of the valley range of other hand, like those from Argentina lect grapes and control the fermenta- fl avour in Gavi 2008 by Villa Sparina. ■ tastes or Chile, will contain overripe tropi- tion process correctly, you can be sure Michał Poddany & Robert Mielżyński
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 73 MOTO Transnational Roots
Pizza is of Neapolitan origin, but its fame spread thanks to emigrants who travelled across the Atlantic to America. The story of the new Fiat Freemont was exactly the opposite – the car had been designed in the USA and for several years was produced under a different name. However, now it has been perfected by the Italians, changed its name and is set to sell well in Europe.
74 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 MOTO
f we look at the technical details, we willl see that the new Fiat Freemont – al-- though carrying an Italian name – iss eminently American. This is becausee Freemont is heavily based on Dodgee IJourney. Have you ever heard about thiss model? I’m sure you have, because it wass also available in Poland. It was, but itt won’t be anymore. Prepare, there comess Fiat Freemont instead. These are thee facts, but Fiat doesn’t intend (or even try)) to manipulate them. The Italians are, af-- ter all, the owners of Chrysler, Dodge andd Jeep, and because they wished to createe eels.ls. You can see at the veveryry fi rst gglancelance that a global automotive concern, they decid- it has been redesigned and now has quite the previous model, there are also new ed to save the American manufacturers a different, more friendly interior – the engines, suspension, and steering. More from the brink of bankruptcy. Had it not plastics are soft and of higher quality. specifi cally, it’s calibrated so that the Fi- been for Fiat’s help, all those great Ameri- The Fiat is almost 5 meters long and at drives more “European-like”. For the can companies would now be defunct and its wheelbase is 289 cm. That’s more than same reason, a range of completely dif- that’s the harsh reality of life. The Italian enough space to put there in the seats for ferent engines was used. Initially, Free- (albeit American) crossover SUV is now the driver and six passengers. They will mont will be powered by a 140 or 170 available also in Poland. travel in comfort, because the car, besides HP Diesel Multijet engine. At this point the doors which open up to 90 degrees, the Americans would snarl contemptu- ATTENTION TO DETAILS has also additional layers of insulation to ously: “Who drives cars with diesel en- Many people claim that in case of cars, eliminate vibrations, as well as three-zone gines? ” We prefer strong „gas-guzzlers.” most of us are visual buyers. In other air conditioning and an “on board” en- You can understand them, because pet- words, a car doesn’t even have to drive tertainment system with a touch screen. rol in the U.S. is, after all, much cheap- well, but only look stunning. In this re- Typically for Fiat’s these days, it’s also er. But for those who don’t feel like hav- spect, Journey slightly diverged from possible to connect your personal mu- ing a car powered by a diesel engine, Fiat European standards. American cars have sic player (using a cable or the Bluetooth will soon offer also 276 HP petrol motors for long been believed to be “fi rst class and mode). What’s more, the car is very safe (Pentastar V-6 3.6 litres). These cars will super-duper”. However, the reality isn’t so with its 6 airbags and other standard fea- also receive automatic transmissions, rosy. When you compare cars produced tures such as ABS, ESP, Hill-Holder (pre- so you might expect much higher pric- in Europe with their American counter- vents the car from sliding down on a steep es here. A diesel engine is perhaps not parts, you will see that the latter ones are, hill), as well as Electronic Rollover Mit- as nice as a petrol one, but it’s certainly in fact, huge gas-guzzling monsters, and igation (ERM) system. Another inter- more economical, and you don’t have to although they are quite well equipped, esting electronic “assistant” is so-called spend a fortune at petrol stations. This is their quality of the assembly leaves much Trailer Sway Control – a system which typically European thinking. ■ to be desired. When the Italians decided will help the driver in towing a trailer. Rafał Jemielita to save Chrysler and Dodge, they retained The author is a journalist for Playboy some of the existing models, refining THOSE TIGHT-FISTED and a co-presenter of TVN Turbo’s them so that they could be more appeal- EUROPEANS ‘Automaniak’ – a motor magazine ing for the European. The new Freemont Apart from the Italian interior, more programme. is one of those “old-new” revamped mod- pleasant upholstery in comparison to photos: the manufacturer’s materials
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 75
Seoul April Hutchinson takes in super views, tranquil temples and ancient palaces in South Korea’s capital.
BONGEUNSA TEMPLE Chances are that after a few days» busi- ness in frenetic Seoul, you’ll be ready for some peace and quiet, so start with a visit to the Bongeunsa Temple with TOP TIP its giant Buddha looking down over Seoul is only about 40km from the North Korean bor- the bustle of the Gangnam district. You der, so if you have the time, take the one-day tour of the can reach it by subway, which is cheap, Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) for a fascinating insight into clean and easy to use with colour-cod- the confl ict, albeit from the South Korean point of view. Securi- ed and numbered lines – take number ty is strict and there are rules for behaviour and dress code. seven to Cheongdam then walk from exit two. You will feel the day’s strains fade away as you enter the leafy temple complex and look up at all the Buddhist prayer fl ags pinned overhead, fl uttering in the breeze. Free to enter, it is usually open from 4am to 9pm. Visit bongeun.org
COEX I CHEONGDAM Back to reality and a walk across the street from the temple is COEX, home N Seoul Tower to a huge conference centre and hotels such as the super-stylish Park Hyatt and the Intercontinental, as well as Korea’s Changdeokgung Palace largest aquarium, a 16-theatre Megabox cinema and the largest underground shopping mall in Asia. Stop at Bandi and Luni’s for a large range of English- language books and magazines. The mall is also home to well-known fash- ion brands from American Apparel to Zara, as well as local labels and plenty of stores high on the cute-factor for Ko- rean take-homes. Open around 10am- 10pm daily; coex.co.kr/eng If malls aren’t your thing, jump in a cab (cheap and clean but ask your ho- tel to write place names for you in Ko- rean, just in case) or walk the few blocks up to Apgujeong, a cool area of the city with quirky boutiques and cafes. Next door is the Cheongdam district, which is anchored by the Galleria Department Store as well as being home to glitzy fl agships from the likes of Louis Vuit-
DREAMSTIME ton and Prada.
76 | JULY / AUGUST 2011 COEX Banyan Tree Club Spa
CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE N SEOUL TOWER Banyan Tree Club Spa Head north to the historic and green- It’s a 15-minute taxi ride from the pal- er side of the river and one of the city’s ace to the N Seoul Tower, where you can key palace complexes (seven stops on enjoy great 360-degree views. The tow- the subway from Apgujeong to Jong- er sits atop Namsan, the city’s central no-3-ga, or a 20-minute cab ride). mountain, and the vistas from its third- You can only visit the UNESCO-list- fl oor observatory are stunning, down to ed Changdeokgung by guided tour the river and across Seoul’s skyscrapers – English-speaking ones take place and palaces. There are also slick eater- at 11.30am and 2.30pm each day, so re- ies inside. Open daily 10am-11pm; en- member to factor this in. try is 7,000 won (£4). Seen as the quintessential example of nseoultower.net ancient Korean architecture, the palace is also home to the biwon, or «secret gar- LEEUM MUSEUM OF ART den», which adds a fantastic, Zen-like A quick taxi ride away, the Leeum element to the experience. You can visit Samsung Museum of Art’s collec- the Changdeokgung, Gyeongbokgung, tion is housed in three buildings de- Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung signed by Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine in the and Rem Koolhaas, and includes a Ro- districts of Jongno-gu and Jung-gu on din gallery, Korean and international yan Tree Club and Spa, where you can one ticket for 10,000 won (£5). Closed art. Open 10.30am-6pm Tues-Sun; en- end the day at the Mondays. try is 10,000 won (£5); leeum.samsung- 360 Wine bar. Visit banyantree.com ■ Visit eng.cdg.go.kr foundation.org. Nearby is the new Ban- See english.visitkorea.or.kr
JULY / AUGUST 2011 | 77 zapytaj PiotraP Piotr Kalita jest związany ?zrynkiem przewozów lotniczych odblisko20 lat. Specjalizuje się wsegmencie podróży korporacyjnych idyplomatycznych. Masz pytanie? – zapytaj Piotra. Wyślij pytanie naadres: [email protected]
A TICKET FOR POINTS I have been colleting points in a loyalty programme of a popular airline. Recen- tly, I’ve tried to redeem them for a pla- Dear Katarzyna, ne ticket for my daughter. She wanted to The sooner the holidays, the more questions Otherwise, you might not get the opportunity to go on a language course during her ho- about tickets for points. And more problems. use the prize. The tickets you saw on the web- lidays. However, it wasn’t possible, as Holiday season is the most profi table time for site were more expensive ones, not those from the plane turned out to be overbooked at any airline. You can’t expect they will give away the promotional offer. the time I chose. It seemed a bit strange, free plane seats to everybody. What’s typical of I have thoroughly checked your daughter’s as the tickets were still available online. loyalty schemes, is that it’s easier to get a point date of fl ight and the availability of free seats. Following another call, I was informed, than to spend it. It’s because there is a limited Indeed, the direct fl ight was fully booked, with that the seats indeed were available – but number of such prize-tickets. There are only no tickets available, but there were some tickets only at a charge. I could redeem my po- a few of them for each fl ight, and they are sold in for a fl ight with a stopover. Your loyalty scheme ints for a ticket only after holidays. What advance. The mechanism of booking is always makes it possible for you to use your points at is this limit for? the same: if you want to use the ticket in a spe- a time convenient for you If you prefer to fl y direct- Katarzyna cial offer, or get a ticket for points – you have to ly, I advise you to put your daughter on a standby book it even a couple of months ahead of time. list, and next year remember to book in advance.
through with a particular cabin. Thanks to satellite connec- SEA ADVENTURE tions, mobile phones can also be used throughout the cruise. I’m planning to go on a sea voyage around Mediterranean sea. What’s the Of course, you must pay great attention to the prices of calls best way to get to Venice? Will I have access to the Internet and a phone on- made this way. board? Is it true that you can be seasick on such a voyage? Should I be careful You shouldn’t worry about seasickness. Cruise ships are with the food? Will I fi nd any workplace there? equipped with special systems and stabilizers to prevent ex- Andrzej cessive rocking. In fact, most of the time you won’t even real- ize you are at sea. I think that you might feel the rocking when getting from the ship to the port in a boat – during your voy- Dear Andrzej, age the ship anchors in a bay in Dubrovnik. Huge waves can My answer is simple: don’t worry too much and have a nice be encountered during transatlantic voyages, but the Mediter- holiday. I’ve read the description of your ship and the plan of ranean Sea is always calm. your voyage. Venice is one of the most famous ports in Eu- Your next question concerns the food If you should pay rope, and many cruise ships from different lines, like Royal attention to anything, it would be the quantity, more than Caribbean, Cruise Lines, MSC and NCL start their voyage anything else. The quality of food could not be any higher on their The easiest way is to get there by plane. From the Mar- such a ship. The hygienic standards are also high and the co Polo airport you can take a water taxi to the port and ship requirements include obligatory hand disinfection every time terminal. Some passengers, mainly those from different conti- you get aboard, and enter the ship’s restaurant. Ships often nents, go to Milan, and later take a train. It takes 2.5 hours to provide its passengers with delicacies from all over the world. get to Venice from Milan. You can also take a water taxi from I’m sure you will fi nd something to your liking. As a precau- Santa Lucia railway station. As for a walk, it takes about 15 tion, passengers aren’t allowed to bring any food from the minutes to get to the fi rst terminal, and then you can take land. a railway ride over the canal. Although I wouldn’t recommend As for the place to work, you will fi nd it on every ship. It can this, if your baggage is heavy. be a silent workroom, a library or meeting rooms. Contrary to A few-storey cruise ship usually offers the same sort of at- entertainment zones, these places provide ideal conditions tractions as a huge hotel. Internet and telephone included. for concentration. If you’re planning to go with your co-work- You can buy different tariff plans, when it comes to the Inter- ers, and want to hold there some training, you can use a pre- net access. Some lines provide its passengers with an booked conference room. For bigger events like presenta- individual mail address during the cruise. Each ship has its tions or lectures, there is a possibility to rent a theatre. All in
FOTOLIA / PIOTR WALICKI own telephone number you can call from the land, and get all, I wish you a wonderful holiday and plans for future cruises.
82 | JULY / AUGUST 2011
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