Author: Ben Debski

City sophistication

Posted on by Ben Debski

The charming Park Inn Brussels Midi is set in an enviable location next to Brussels’ largest international train station, Gare du Midi, and just two kilometres away from the charming city centre. Whether you’re visiting the Belgian capital on business, pleasure or a combination of the two, the Park Inn Brussels Midi provides a perfect blend of comfort and relaxation – and its location offers guests a well-positioned base for exploring this charming cosmopolitan city’s beautiful attractions and ornate buildings.

Expect warm attentive service from the Park Inn Brussels Midi’s friendly staff, and superb hotel facilities. The Park Inn by Radisson brand utilises experience from more 100 hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, to provide a combination of great service and amenities with a brilliant location. If you’re arriving by plane, there is great relief in the knowledge that the hotel is just a 20-minute ride by train or bus from Brussels Airport.

The warm and friendly surroundings will have you feeling at home in no time, and the distinctively sleek and professional feel are easy to spot from the moment you walk in.

You can sample food from around the world in the RBG Bar & Grill, be it a wholesome gourmet burger, a succulent steak or the Belgian favourite, moules and frites. For aperitifs or post-dinner drinks, the stylish RBG bar serves a tempting selection of Belgian beers, New York style martinis and thirst-quenching fruity cocktails. And the leisure facilities don’t stop there at the Park Inn Brussels Midi – there is a dedicated fitness area containing cardio equipment and free weights situated up on the seventh floor with breathtaking views of the city. You can start the day in the fitness area with a work-out while taking in the stunning panorama, before filling up on fresh coffee and crumbly croissants from the breakfast buffet. There’s wireless internet throughout the hotel’s public areas too, so you can catch up your emails over breakfast before heading out into the city.

The Park Inn Brussels Midi is just a few steps away from the entrance of Brussels’ south train station, Gare du Midi – and this privileged location makes getting around the bustling city extremely easy. Simply hop on a train to any part of the city – or out of Brussels to another destination in Europe – without having to worry about transport to and from the hotel. Multilingual front desk staff are on hand round the clock, and are only too happy to help with guests’ queries – whether there’s something you’ve forgotten, a transport query or a certain restaurant you’re trying to find. Depending on your preferences, Brussels has something for everyone – and it’s all contained in a central area easily navigated on foot.

If you’re in Brussels with a car, you will sleep safe at night in the knowledge that the Park Inn Brussels Midi offers secure underground parking. And for those departing on an early flight, train or car journey, the Park Inn Brussels Midi offers an on-the-go breakfast from 04:00 through until 06:30. From these descriptions, you’ll have a sense of how accommodating this hotel’s staff are – and those are just some of the ways the Park Inn Brussels Midi offers guests a home-from-home. A full buffet breakfast is available in the relaxed RBG Bar & Grill each morning, and you can choose from an array of continental bites, hot items, fruit juices, herbal teas and coffees. After breakfast, the RBG Bar & Grill offers a versatile all-day menu, turning into a bright and lively setting from noon until late. A room service menu is available between 06:30 and 22:30, combining light meals and snacks with main courses if you’re run off your feet from the day’s events.

Your perfect city base
This inviting hotel has three bright and modern meeting rooms, which all come with first-class equipment as standard. The rooms can be customised to guests’ needs, and offer a spacious setting for board meetings, one-on-ones, training days and mid-sized conferences alike. The largest space is a 75m² conference room, which can be divided into two separate rooms. Wireless internet is available in all three rooms, so you can make an impact with eye-catching interactive presentations, as well as state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and plenty of natural daylight. The Park Inn Brussels Midi also has an airy pre-meeting space, great for coffee and introductions before you get started.

You can choose from 142 guest rooms at the superbly located Park Inn Brussels Midi. The rooms are instantly welcoming and familiar, and decorated in the signature Park Inn style – bright, fresh and contemporary. A comfortable bed will ensure you a quiet night’s sleep and the chance to recharge your batteries before the day ahead, and with free coffee and tea-making facilities, you’ll be settled in from the get-go. All rooms include a large safe so you don’t have to worry about your laptop when heading out on an evening, and high-speed and wireless internet will ensure you don’t miss that crucial email. For extra space and added amenities, a number of business rooms and junior suites are available.

The Park Inn Brussels Midi offers a safe, friendly and modern base just south of the city centre, welcoming and inviting guests from all around the world to the capital of Belgium.

Check out the local vintage boutiques, the Avenue Louise and the Royal Palace to get a feel for what makes Brussels so special. Located just 2km south of Brussels’ thriving city centre, guests are within walking distance of the city’s delightful attractions including the Musées royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, a local must-see.

Take a leisurely brief stroll to the Midi Market – one of Europe’s biggest markets – to browse through endless stalls selling food, jewellery, crockery, perfumes, and clothes. You can even treat yourself to a delicious waffle from one of the waffle vans scattered around the area – it’s convenience food at its best. If you fancy venturing out to sample traditional Belgian food and drink, the famous Cantillon Brewery and Comme Chez Soi are both within walking distance of the hotel.

Brussels is full of rich culture alongside its unmistakably bureaucratic identity – the city offers festivals, concerts, fashionable nightspots and over 1,800 restaurants scattered around the city to ensure you’re never left feeling hungry. The main attractions include the Grand Place, the Atomium, the EU institutions and NATO headquarters. Once you’ve visited the sights, you can pop out for a wander around the city’s streets and treat yourself to designer clothing from the excellent array of shops in the surrounding streets. There’s a lively nightlife scene too, with something for everyone; whether you’re looking for late-night drinks, dancing or dining, the hotel’s friendly staff will be only too happy to recommend their favourites.

To book online, visit www.parkinn.com/hotel-brussels – or you can find out more by calling the hotel on +32 2 535 14 00. The hotel offers a broad variety of packages to suit all guests’ needs.

Hong Kong’s finest

Posted on by Ben Debski

Superbly located in the heart of one of Hong Kong’s most popular shopping and business hubs, Hotel Panorama by Rhombus is the ‘One & Only One’ tallest triangular deluxe business hotel overlooking Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Awarded as “The Best Business Hotel in Guangdong Hong Kong Macau” by Let’s Go Magazine in 2009 and 2010, “Choice Favourite Hotel” by Golfers’ Choice Awards 2010, and one of the “Best Business Hotels in China” at the 9th China Hotel Forum 2008-2009 as well as the 10th China Hotel Forum 2009-2010, Hotel Panorama by Rhombus is quintessentially located near the trendiest shopping areas such as K11 Art Mall, iSQUARE, DFS Galleria and IMAX Theatre. Its prime location allows you to access all parts of Hong Kong via Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Airport Express, Buses, Taxis and Ferries.

The 324 contemporary designed guestrooms, including 12 spacious suites, range in Silver, Gold, Club HarbourView and Executive Club HarbourView themes featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour or the city.

Club HarbourView rooms, Executive Club HarbourView rooms and Suites are fully endowed with personalised services tailored for business travellers, with all rooms offering breathtaking panoramic harbour views. Guestrooms feature customised amenities for that touch of luxury, and benefits fit to meet the needs of the most discerning travellers. There is also private access to Executive Club HarbourView floors via the ‘Bullet Lift’.

All guests staying in Club HarbourView, Executive Club HarbourView and Suites can enjoy special privileges and access to the Rhombus Club Executive Lounge located on the 39th floor.

Located on the lobby level, Café Express is an informal all-day restaurant providing you with buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner or à la carte menu options, while the adjoining Sweet Corner is where you will find a tempting array of creative and delicious cakes, freshly made on-site by our talented pastry chefs. Nestled on the 38th floor of the hotel, Santa Lucia Restaurant & Sky Bar* delivers modern cuisine with stylish interior design and floor-to-ceiling windows featuring stunning harbour views.

Other facilities include the Sky Garden, Rhombus Club Executive Lounge, Business Centre and the Fitness Centre. With modern amenities and highly personalised service, Hotel Panorama by Rhombus is committed to excellence and exceeding guests’ expectations every time during their stay!

* Santa Lucia Restaurant & Sky Bar is scheduled to close mid-2011 for refurbishment

For more information, please contact: panorama@hotelpanorama.com.hk

Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus opens in Hong Kong’s vibrant hub
Exuding effortless style and with views overlooking Victoria Harbour, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus is destined to become the boutique hotel of choice for sophisticated travellers. Scheduled to open in mid-March, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus is set to become a new Hong Kong landmark.

Ideally located in Connaught Road West, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus is within walking distance to Hong Kong’s bustling city centre, the Macau Ferry Terminal and the colourful, creative hub of Sheung Wan.

Set to become a new Hong Kong landmark, Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus’ ultra-stylish 32-storey glass tower reflects the simple elegance of the interiors. Designed by award-winning Hong Kong architect Antony Chan, the 90-room property combines a sleek-chic design, practical comforts and a thoughtful attention to detail. Contemporary furnishings, soft-lit spaces and surprising extras create a welcoming, intimate environment.

To celebrate Hotel de EDGE by Rhombus’ opening, guests can enjoy a special room rate of only HK$898+10% per superior room, per night.

For more information, please contact: deEDGE@hoteldeEDGE.com.hk

A giant slain

Posted on by Ben Debski

he MI-26 helicopter is the biggest, heaviest and most powerful helicopter every built. It was designed in the Soviet Union in the 1970s with the multiple aim of transporting up to 20 tonnes of cargo, engaging in construction projects such as the repair of bridges and power transmission lines, and also as a military offensive vehicle, it has gained global recognition for many of its global exploits, ranging from assisting in the clean-up operations in the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to the recovery of a 23,000-year-old Woolly Mammoth discovered in Siberia in 1999.

The first MI-26 took to the air in 1977 and the first production aircraft was launched three years later. The machine – nicknamed in Western countries as the ‘Flying Barn’ – has the ability to lift a total of 20,000 kilograms, the equivalent of around 20 mid-sized European cars. Such is its power that ground crews are required to wear safety helmets to protect them from the down force from its rotor blades.

Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster
The MI-26 has had an eventful existence, to say the least. In 1986, a modified version of the original craft provided pivotal assistance in the clean-up operations following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. Adjustments to the original version included a fire-retardant tank filled with counter-radiation solution and underbelly spraying apparatus. In addition, filter systems were added and protective screens were fitted to the cabin, thus protecting the crew as they tackled the catastrophe and supplied materials in an attempt  contain the worst damage to the core reactor.

The 1996 World Team record breakers
In 1996, the Russian military loaned out four fully-manned MI-26 helicopters, to assist the World Team’s attempt to set a new world record for freefall formation skydiving. The World Team – led by renowned aerial stuntman BJ Worth – is an international collection of some of the world’s best skydivers, and its goal was to set a new world record for the number of free-fall formation divers.

Taking advantage of the MI-26’s ability to reach altitudes in excess of 20,000 feet, The World Team amassed 300 sky divers, with the MI-26 taking them up to a height of 22,000 feet, before dropping them into a tight formation. Although the 300-person sky-dive world-record attempt was not achieved, this was no slur on the credentials of the helicopter, as 297 of the sky divers did manage to attain a record-breaking link.

Elephants can remember
Outside the fields of disaster recovery and record breaking, the MI-26 has also gained some recognition in the field of archaeology and palaeontology. To this end, in 1999, an MI-26 helicopter was employed to transport a 25-tonne block of ice that surrounded a well preserved specimen of what is believed to be a 23,000-year-old Woolly Mammoth from the Siberian wastelands to a laboratory in Khatanga, in the northern provinces of Russia, on the estuary of the  Laptev Sea.

The purpose of the expedition was to enable scientists to study the origins and habitat of the prehistoric beast, and also to potentially explore the controversial possibility of cloning its DNA. Sociological issues aside, following the expedition, the sheer weight of the lift meant that the MI-26 was immediately returned to the to undergo safety checks for structural strains to the airframe and rotor blades.

Afghanistan Chinook helicopter aid expedition
At the outset of the conflict in Afghanistan, in 2002, an MI-26 was dispatched to recover two US Military operated MH-47E Chinook helicopters that had been demobilised in what was known as ‘Operation Anaconda’ – a US military offensive to to drive the resistance forces out of a remote, mountain-lined valley in central Afghanistan.

Whereas one of the helicopters was deemed too badly damaged to be repaired, the other – having had all equipment such as fuel, rotors and non-essential equipment removed, was still – at over 12,000 kilos – was deemed too heavy to be retrieved by any US army helicopter. In response, an MI-26 was called in and was lifted via a lifting hook and transported to Kabul, then shipped to the US. Following this, six months later, another foreign-franchised MI-26 was called in to rescue another US Army Chinook. As such the Russian-built MI-26 played an important part in the Afghanistan conflict for aiding allied forces.

However, disaster was to follow for the MI-26, when a few months later, Chechen militia downed an MI-26 with a surface-to-air missile, causing it to crash-land in a minefield, resulting in fatalities to 127 Russian military personnel.

The China ‘Quake Lake’ emergency
As recently as 2008, following an earthquake that registered a massive 8.0 on the Richter Scale, the banks of a series of rivers of rivers burst in the Sichuan province of China. The result was that many of these lakes became blocked by substantial landslides, with huge pools of water welling up at the rear of the landslide, forming dams which were set to give way under the increasing mass of water. In terms of human population, millions of people living downstream could have potentially drowned.

The Tangjiashan mountain area was one of the most difficult areas to access. The media termed this phenomenon as the ‘Quake Lakes’ disaster. In this scenario, one Chinese-owned, MI-26 helicopter was quickly drafted in used to bring heavy earth-moving tractors to the affected location. Following a operation – which included several Chinese MI-17 helicopters bringing in specialists to join 1,200 military personnel – MI-16 helicopters helped deliver five tons of fuel to operate the machinery, which aided the construction of a water bypass to enable the diversion of the excess flooding.

However, as with any aircraft, there is always the risk of mechanical failure. Most recently – in December 2010 an MI 26 owned by the Indian Air Force crashed seconds after take off. Fortunately, even after a fall of 50 feet, there were no fatalities, with only nine passengers injured.

The 30+ year history of the MI 26 has been a succession of triumphs. Designed as a military helicopter, it has mostly found fame in other operations, largely providing relief for individuals facing disastrous circumstances.

Start as you mean to go on

Posted on by Ben Debski

I must admit at being surprised, albeit only slightly, by how exchange rates moved in January.

Sterling had a good start to the year gaining against most other currencies. In fact, along with the euro, it was one of the world’s strongest performing currencies [a long time since we were able to say this]. And this was against a back drop of on-going austerity cuts and a 2.5 percent increase in VAT by the coalition government at the start of January. Then we had the economic growth figures for the final quarter of 2010. This clearly disappointed showing a contraction in the UK economy rather than the forecast growth. Bad weather was to blame. To be honest, this makes a lot of sense when you remember that construction – which was a key driver of growth in the third quarter – effectively stopped in December. And how many employees were unable to get to work in many parts of the UK?

Now to the euro zone. At the end of last year, the great debate was whether or not Portugal and Spain would have to go cap in hand to the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund given the high level of funding they required in 2011. The great fear was that international investors would shun any government debt issuance. In fact, the opposite seems to have happened as international investors, including “government” funds have made it clear – and just not through their words but by their actions – that they fully support the euro. This meant that following a brief wobble in the first week of the year when a short term debt issuance by Portugal attracted a higher interest rate than expected, the subsequent fund raisings have been well received.

The US still needs to create jobs to reduce unemployment from current levels of 10 million. As noted previously, the quantum of stimulus being applied is truly extraordinary – but it seems to be working, as recent economic data has been positive with jobs being created and the economy growing. One major problem continues to be housing and the level of repossessions [1 million in 2010]. 2013 is the predicted date when US housing will finally return to an even keel.  Until then, it will be a drag on the US economy.

The Far East continues to lead on the economic growth front but growing pains have come to the fore. The Chinese economy continues to grow at 10 percent per annum but this brings with it inflationary pressure. To combat this, interest rates are being increased with the aim of dampening growth. This has led to fallout for the commodity backed currencies that lost value in January given their dependency on continuing growth in China.

The recovery position
Australia has also suffered from extreme flooding which has resulted in the closure of a number of mines in Queensland and therefore the loss of export revenue. There is even talk of a one-off tax to cover the costs of reconstruction.

So some ups and some downs for the month of January. But do I think it is a good indicator for the coming year?

Not really. The economic recovery in the UK was never likely to be smooth. There will be some good months and some bad months. I think the fundamental readjustment that is taking place of moving employment from the public sector to the private sector is vital for longer term success in the UK. Also, the reduction in the government budget deficits will build confidence in the UK and be supportive for sterling.

In the euro zone, I wonder if we have seen a false dawn. The problems are still there -not least because the amount that is required to fund both governments and the banks is huge and not just for this year. I am sure that the powers that be will muddle through and the European Central Bank has shown itself to be reasonably adept at managing affairs – but it will be a very bumpy ride for the euro and I am sure there will be some bad months in the coming year.

The US$ has a life of its own, being the world’s reserve currency. I am sure that if the UK went for the same type of stimulus packages that we are seeing in the US, then we would see sterling plunge. There is also a great deal of politics at play with new elections forever on the horizon. And so we will see the US$ move in and out of favour as economic performance at home and events elsewhere in the world affect it.

And I see the weakness of the commodity backed currencies as a short term blip, given the remorseless way in which China is, and will continue to move forward.

So the one thing I take from the first month is that uncertainty is still with us – and I am sure will be with us for the remainder of the year.

Charles Purdy is a Director at Smart Currency Exchange, www.SmartCurrencyExchange.com,  +44 207 898 0541.

Sign of the times

Posted on by Ben Debski

At the heart of the Vallee de Joux, a secluded haven of horological complication, Jaeger LeCoultre, has been cultivating a pioneering spirit for more than 175 years. Antoine LeCoultre, the man behind what was to become the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand, displayed a particularly inventive spirit. Following in his footsteps, today’s technicians and designers consistently explore new paths in developing masterpieces that will leave an indelible imprint on watchmaking history.

For the past 18 years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has opened its doors to around 2000 privileged visitors who have enjoyed personalised guided watchmaking tours. The Heritage Gallery, inaugurated in 2007, further enriches this discovery with information on the company’s heritage built up since its creation in 1833.

Watchmaking tours are now organised in countries all over the world and enable watch devotees to participate in some fascinating interactive highlights. These include watchmaking classes, lectures and meetings with industry professionals.

The adventure began in 1833, when self-taught watchmaker Antoine LeCoultre set up his own workshop following his invention of a watch pinion-cutting machine. This invention was soon followed by dozens of other tools, and then hundreds of patents. Each of these would later contribute to the ever growing reputation of Swiss watchmaking. The small workshop expanded so fast that it was soon nicknamed “la Grande Maison.”

For more than 175 years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has produced a success of world firsts, superlative accomplishments and legendary time pieces such as pocket-watches with ultra-thin or Grande Complication movements, the 101 watch, the Reverso, the Duoplan, the Memovox, or the perpetual Atmox clock. Today, over 1,000 people work within the manufacturing process and jointly master all the skills required to make it the most inventive brand in the watch-making industry.

Gem setting
The techniques of Haute Joaillerie are the secret behind Jaeger’s stunning creations in this field. Alongside time honoured skills, gem-setters have invented some unique techniques such as rock setting and snow setting, eloquently revealing their incomparable mastery, talent and creativity. A sublime expression of the jewellery-making art, snow setting consists of concealing the entire metal base beneath precious stones that are individually cut and adjusted to perfection. After months of research, Jaeger-LeCoultre succeeded in obtaining stones measuring just five-tenths of a millimetre and cut to feature 32 facets above and 24 below.

Movement decoration
Delicately hand-crafted bevelling, file drawing, snailing, circular-graining and polishing lend the finishing touches required to match the most complex mechanisms. Jeger-LeCoultre is also a master of materials (steel, nickel, silver titanium and aluminium), and even the most high-tech among them is treated to the same level of traditional decoration. Each part represents and aesthetic accomplishment in its own right and is accordingly designed, open-worked and decorated to become part of an exceptional work of art worthy of the beauty and complication it embodies.

Inside story
The Master Compressor Extreme LAB sweeps aside all standard conventions. Years of research and effort have been devoted to finding the technical solutions destined to solve an issue as old as watchmaking itself – simultaneously envisioned from a conceptual and technical angle, and from that of hand craftsmanship. It took a brand endowed with such a strong heritage as Jaeger-LeCoutre to create the Master Compressor Extreme LAB, boasting exceptional breakthrough features that foreshadow the watches of the future.
Revolutionary by its very nature, the lab has dispensed with the need for any lubricants in the movement. All watch parts have been entirely rethought to achieve the supreme horological quest to eliminate oil so as to ensure optimal operation. Traditional mechanical movements use oils or grease in varying degrees for parts with high translation and rotation speeds, or for parts subject to powerful pressures or stress. Unfortunately, the properties of such oils and grease deteriorate over time and the movement will likewise decline if these lubricants are not replaced in due time.

The research team at the Manufacture in Le Sentier is raising standards by embarking on uncharted territory; mechanical movement with zero lubrication. This research recently culminated in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 988C; the first mechanical movement in watchmaking history to operate accurately and reliably without lubricant.

To achieve this, several new materials have been created. These include Easium carbonitride; and extremely hard material with extraordinary tribological properties and therefore suited to making bearings operate without lubricant. This new technology has also negated the need to add jewel-based pallet stones. Instead, a synthetic material called black crystalline diamond has been used to considerably enhance operational properties.

Barrel grease has also disappeared in favour of a graphite powder that helps the bride to slide smoothly inside the drum when the mainspring has been wound beyond the maximum power reserve. Because graphite is atomically structured with stacked micro-platelets, it can retain its lubricating properties over time.

Building on the experience acquired through creating over 1,000 mechanical movements and registering more than 300 patents, along with the expertise of a full-fledged manufacture capable of creating the most innovative mechanisms, the Jaeger’s development team continues to push the limits of what is deemed possible in the field of traditional horology.

Unprecedented technologies, exceptional accuracy and reliability and new materials, Jaeger-Le Coutre is committed to pursuing these creative challenges for the future and has also provided lectures to educate on this theme.

For more information about Jaeger’s watch making process and upcoming tours, visit www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

A day in the life

Posted on by Ben Debski

For the keen traveller, touring a city in just a day doesn’t appear to be a good idea at all. But there are others who would prefer to make a few rounds and see the best sights, take photographs and possibly bring home a few keepsakes and collectibles. Most business travelers with a spare day after or before a conference or a business assignment fall into this category. And Frankfurt being one of the busiest hub airports in Europe, perfectly fits into this picture.

Start off your tour at old town. This will probably take you half a day at the most. Before the Second World War bombings flattened the city, this was one of Germany’s greatest and most historic places. Tastefully restored, the old streets here lead to some of Europe’s most monumental landmarks. Take a trip to Goethehaus, the house where the greatest German writer, Goethe, was born in the year 1749. Follow the great writer’s footsteps down the Altstadt, where he spent most of his early childhood years.

Another intriguing place to visit is the red-sandstone tower of the Dom, which is also the most dominant structure here. Consecrated in 1239, the cathedral was chosen as the electoral and coronation site for the kings of the Holy Roman Empire. This is where ten royal coronations took place between 1562 and 1792. Today, it’s significant mainly for its highly ornamented towering Westturm or west tower. Within the church, you’ll discover the impeccable Upper Rhine craftsmanship epitomised in the mid-14th-century choir stalls.

Did you know that Frankfurt had a city hall as early as 1405? Romer, the official seat of Frankfurt’s Lord Mayor, is surrounded by three gothic houses with stepped gables. The Romerberg is the historic centre of the old Altstadt, and renowned for these spectacular half-timbered houses, which have been restored to their original shape. The Imperial Hall can be visited as part of a guided tour, provided it’s not in use for any special events.

At the northern fringe of the Altstadt lies the An der Hauptwache or the Guardhouse square. The place derived its name from the historic Hauptwache or guardhouse, which stands on it. This square is the core of modern Frankfurt. Beneath this, you can visit the Hauptwache U-Bahn station and explore the modern shopping promenade.

If you’re an artsy person, Liebieghaus, housed in an 1896 villa, will be a memorable treat. Rivaled only by the Bargello in Florence, this is one of Europe’s most important sculpture museums. Visitors can take a glimpse into its impressive collection of objects from ancient Egypt, classical Greece and Rome, and medieval and renaissance Europe. If time doesn’t allow you to explore the entire place, be sure check out the 8th-century B.C. bronze horse, and Roman copies of the Torso of Polycletus, Praxiteles’s Satyr, and Myron’s Athena.

The tropical beach experts

Posted on by Ben Debski

The tropical beach experts, Escape Travel are here to provide you with the perfect tropical beach escape to a myriad of beautiful locations including Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Our consultants have travelled extensively to our destinations and all our hotels are extensively checked and reviewed to ensure their suitability. With so many great resorts catering to all walks of life, sometimes it becomes difficult to decide which beach or which hotel is ideal for you. Escape Travel has a solution for this with its Bronze, Silver and Gold ratings. In addition to the star ratings Escape Travel grades a hotel’s all-inclusive and spa programs and its suitability for honeymoons and family holidays with an easy to understand rating.

This provides our customers with a quick overview of all hotels and allows customers to filter their results based on these criteria. We believe this classification is vital in helping you choose the correct Caribbean beach holiday for you and this individually tailored approach is fundamental to how Escape Travel works with its customers to find the perfect beach holiday for them.

The UK arm of a global business which has been selling tropical beach holidays for over 40 years, no one is better placed in identifying the perfect beach holiday for you and your loved ones, and they won’t be beaten on price.

In addition to the great relationships and knowledgeable staff Escape Travel have introduced the innovative Sunshine Search that helps customers who know when they can get away but do not know where is best at that time of year.

On the Escape Travel website you can input your desired temperature range and the month you wish to go away and Escape Travel will pull back a list of suitable destinations for you. This is a fabulous tool and great for families who are only able to head to the beach during the school holidays and for honeymooners who want to head on Honeymoon shortly after their wedding.

With a sole focus on beach holidays, the widest range of accommodation and flight options to their destinations sold anywhere in the UK there is no one better qualified or more focused on finding the perfect tropical beach holiday than those at Escape Travel.

Dedicated to beach holidays, Escape Travel understands the resorts and destinations better than anyone and is the perfect choice if you are looking for that tropical beach holiday.

For more information please visit: www.escapetravel.co.uk

Swiss banking sector fitter than ever

Posted on by Ben Debski

Following a rather turbulent couple of years, the Swiss banking sector is set to enjoy a brighter future. In a recent survey, 90 percent of Swiss bankers indicated that they were positive about the future of the banking sector despite the move towards tighter regulations and the quashing of tax evasion practices. The optimism in the market was revealed in a report, commissioned by consultancy company, Ernst & Young, which surveyed 60 banking officials in Switzerland. Just over half of the banks surveyed regarded 2010 as a very positive business year, with a further 40 percent regarding it as generally positive.

Good news indeed for a country whose banking sector is crucial to its economy. Switzerland’s service sector, led by financial services, contributed 11.6 percent of Switzerland’s GDP in 2008, and the Swiss financial sector’s contribution to the total value added is twice to three times larger than in any other European country, except Luxembourg. Globally, too, Switzerland’s financial sector plays a major role. Despite being only 41,293 square kilometres in size and having a population of just over seven million, Switzerland is one of the world’s most important financial centres.

Switzerland’s banking sector is different from that of most other countries in that it has a wide variety of bank types and it allows all types of banks to offer all banking services, rather than commercial banking and investment banking being separate as it is in most other countries. However, certain bank groups in Switzerland do specialise in certain areas. For example, the biggest players are UBS and the Credit Suisse Group, which between them account for over 50 percent of the balance sheet total of all banks in Switzerland. However, only one-fifth of their activities are represented by domestic transactions, meaning that they have considerable international exposure.

UBS leads the world in wealth management and is also Switzerland’s top bank for individual and corporate clients. It is also a major company in the international investment banking and security business. Credit Suisse, a top global bank with its headquarters in Zurich, is well known for providing expert advice and innovative products to a wide range of corporate and institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals globally, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. Then there are also 24 cantonal banks, which are semi-governmental organisations with a state guarantee that mainly deal in domestic banking; a group of cooperative banks with the largest branch network in Switzerland, under the Raiffeisen Switzerland banner; and many smaller universal banks and private banks.

The financial crisis and beyond
But even Switzerland’s economy and mighty banking sector have been hit by the recession. The global financial crisis hampered the Swiss export market, causing the country to fall into recession in 2009, although the economy managed to rebound in 2010, recording a growth of 2.8 percent. However, because of its international exposure, the banking sector faced considerable problems, culminating in UBS suffering crippling losses in 2008/09.

The government was forced to step in with a rescue deal, which involved a cash injection> and the creation of a “bad bank” for UBS’s distressed assets in order to retain the bank’s solvency. As a consequence, financial reforms that introduce new capital rules for big banks are to come into force in 2013.

The Swiss banking sector was rocked to its core by the UBS bailout, and has been bruised further by the continuous hits by other countries on its banking secrecy legislation. Switzerland is currently in discussions with Britain and Germany over disbutes about Swiss banks protecting money that has not been declared to the relevant national tax authorities. At the beginning of this year, scandal raised its head again when a former Swiss banker passed on to Wikileaks data containing the account details of 2,000 companies and individuals including some prominent politicians.

As a result of international pressure, the government has decided to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The proposed new regulations are viewed by many in the industry as being beneficial to the market. In fact, 85 percent of respondents in the Ernst & Young survey were optimistic that the developments concerning bank secrecy, particularly with regard to the possible introduction of a form of withholding tax and the legalisation of untaxed assets, as something that will ultimately enhance Switzerland’s position as a global financial centre.

The phoenix emerges
Many in the banking sector believe that, since the recession and the banking reforms, the market has emerged a healthier and leaner beast. “All things being equal, our banks did a good job in weathering the global financial crisis, the European debt crisis, and the debate on regulating Switzerland’s financial centre, and they are relatively upbeat about the future,” commented Iqbal Khan, Head of Banking & Capital Markets at Ernst & Young.
Most respondents indicated that the fiercest competition in the Swiss banking sector was in the private banking area. Interestingly, this was the opinion of not only the private and foreign banks which specialise in this sector, but the cantonal and regional banks also indicated that competition was hottest in private banking.

Because of the developments in bank secrecy, fiscal transparency and cross-border services, many banks are revamping their private-public business models. As a consequence, respondents of the private and regional banks in particular believe that the banking sector will experience some consolidation in the short to medium term.
“Many banks are reviewing their private-banking business models due to the latest developments in the areas of bank secrecy, fiscal transparency and cross-border services.

The related transformation process is also set to heighten competition among the banks,” said Patrick Schwaller, Head of the Bank Barometer team at Ernst & Young. “The medium-term consolidation expected by the banks may well be the final consequence of this development.”

Taming the beast
Lending policies are expected to remain more or less stable at their current level over the next six to twelve months. Just under two-thirds of bank sources believed that “exception to policy” loans were becoming more popular, pointing to a more expansive loans policy on the part of banks. In addition, just over half of respondents surveyed agreed that in some regions bubbles were starting to form in the real estate market. “Low interest rates coupled with diminished returns in other asset classes have evidently favoured the generally more expansive real estate lending policies we have seen in recent years,” asserted Mr Khan.

Survey respondents indicated that the areas that would have the most impact on the banking sector in the medium term were the regulations of cross-border activities (48 percent agreed with this) and tax treaties and fiscal transparency (24 percent). Only a small minority of the banks in the survey considered the tightening of equity capital regulations – a moot point among the public – to be the most important issue.

Further regulatory changes are expected in the banking sector in the future, with around half the bank representatives in the survey viewing these as a positive move, with the other half questioning the advantages of the changes.

The future is bright
There was greater consensus on the effect the regulations were likely to have on operational business: just over two-thirds of the bank representatives believed the regulatory changes would have a negative or generally negative impact on their revenue over the forthcoming six to 12 months, because they maintained that the additional costs associated with these regulations would not be able to be passed on to their clients. As a consequence, 85 percent of the banks surveyed were of the opinion that there would be lower returns for their shareholders, while 65 percent expected a revision of incentive and remuneration packages.

Looking at currency fluctuation, the majority of bank sources expected the Swiss franc to increase in value against the US dollar and the euro in the coming year. Only 13 percent of respondents expect the Swiss franc to fall against the US dollar and 17 per cent against the euro.

The Swiss banking sector has had to change considerably in recent years and in doing so it is in a stronger position in relative terms than before the financial crisis. Over 90 percent of survey respondents were bright about the sectors future, agreeing that business in 2011 would be either very positive or generally positive. “This general strengthening can be attributed to classic Swiss security-related attributes such as a healthy national budget, political stability and the strength of the Swiss franc,” concluded Mr Khan.

Liquid gold

Posted on by Ben Debski

Glenlivet 18-year-old
43% abv
A consistent award winner and perfect for an after-dinner dram with its notes of toffee and butterscotch. Also one of the best value single malts on the market.

Nose: Fragrant, elegant and complex with a sweet oakiness which leads the way to heady floral notes.
Palate: Smooth and velvety, with a firm foundation. Sweetness followed by a burst of spices and dry oak.
Finish: Lasting, oaky and gingery with distant smoke.
Colour: Old gold, ripe apricot hues

Laphroaig Quarter Cask
48% abv
Distilled in smaller casks for quicker maturation, the intense peaty and medicinal overtones might not be to everyone’s taste, but it is none-the-less a hearty and satisfying tipple.

Nose: Powerful smoke, sweet malt, wet turf and coal. Develops chocolate and cinnamon.
Palate: Full bodied, rich and mouth coating. Delicious sweet malt and rich peat, woodsmoke
Finish: Very strong, sweet and smoky with the coal lingering the longest
Colour: Wheat field.

Glenrothes 1985 Vintage
43% abv
Perhaps the epitome of the extravagant dram, the 1985 vintage is released in strict accordance with the distiller’s bottling policy and is every bit as special as you’d imagine.

Nose: Nutty and fruity with herbal and vanilla notes, grapefruit and hazelnuts.
Palate: Rich and spicy with more vanilla, grapefruit and hazelnuts. Some honey and marmalade emerge
Finish: Lengthy and medium sweet with brittle toffee.
Colour: Hazel.

Ardberg 25-year-old
46% abv
A generally peaty, rich, smooth and very complex distiller, Ardbeg produces a consistent range of premium and celebrated single malts. This is truly the cream of the crop.

Nose: Gentle and complex, sea air and smokiness with evocations of marmalade and leather.
Palate: Silky smooth with a touch of fruit, notably lemons with a nutty finish. Later peppery.
Finish: Long with a touch of smoke, beautifully balanced.
Colour: Light gold.

Lagavulin 16 Years Old
43% abv
A peat-smoke hit typical of southern Islay but also the most pungent. Deep, dry and representative of the ‘classic malts’, Lagavulin is not for the feint hearted.

Nose: Ripe berries, peaty with maritime undertones. Bergamot scented woodsmoke.
Palate: Slightly sweet some peat with notes of licorice, walnuts and hints of toffee.
Finish: Long and quite dry, darker and peatier than the main palate
Colour: Amber.

Aberlour A’bunadh
58-63% abv
Non chill-filtered and robustly intoxicating, each bottle of A’bundah is labelled with its batch number which accounts for the slight variation in strength and colour.

Nose: Oloroso sherry, mint, pralines. Luxurious with some raisins, orange peel and spice.
Palate: Very rich and creamy, with just a hint of mint and cherries behind.Bold and powerful.
Finish: Nougat, cherry brandy, ginger, faint smoke. An after-dinner dram.
Colour: Deep amber.

Talisker 18 Year Old
45.8% abv
Voted ‘Best Single Malt Whisky in the World 2007’, the Talisker 18 Year Old is a masterpiece from one of Scotland’s greatest distilleries – a stunning balance of peat and spice

Nose: Rich and fruity, dried orange peel with butterscotch, rum or toffee with a thread of smoke
Palate: Sweet in front, later more assertive with a whiff of smoke. Warms toward coal-tar and toffee.
Finish: Medium length with a characteristic touch of chilli.
Colour: Amber.

Balvenie Port Wood
40% abv
This Balvenie is aged 21 years and has an extra level of depth and concentration of flavour thanks to an additional period of maturation in 30-year-old Port pipes.

Nose: Big and bold, tropical fruit, honey, banana with hints of spice and some oak
Palate: Smooth and balanced, honey orange marmalade, toast and vanilla with oaky notes
Finish: Long and smooth, peppery. Warm and delicate.
Colour: Full gold

A family affair

Posted on by Ben Debski

Today the Ettinger brand is synonymous with high-quality leather craft and prizes the use of traditional methods of high-skilled and bespoke manufacture that many have abandoned in favour of mass production. A keen traveller himself, Robert Ettinger has visited destinations all over the world and took some time out to talk to us about the global expansion, his passion for design and travelling in style.

You have opened in stores internationally over the years and business in the Far East is booming. What do you think makes the Ettinger brand so attractive to foreign consumers?
Yes. We have opened in many stores internationally and have an Ettinger stand-alone shop in the Ginza, Tokyo. I think our appeal lies in that we can produce a quintessentially British, hand made, unique product that is both elegant and timeless. Our products are exclusive, we do not mass produce and we are able to offer both a bespoke and post sales service. We also manage the exacting standards that the Japanese market in particular, quite rightly demands. Ettinger is also a royal warrant holder, giving foreign customers an assurance of both our quality and soundness. I think it is the combination of these factors that has made us so attractive to foreign consumers.

Ettinger is famed for its use of highly skilled craftsmen to create its products, tell us a bit more about this process and why it is so important.
Our products are basically hand made. Our craftsmen only use four machines, one to cut the leather, the second to thin the leather and the third to further thin the leather where it is to be turned over and sewn. Our products are then sewn with a sewing machine, rather like the one you may have at home. To work any of these machines or perform any other of the numerous processes, you need to be highly skilled, for it is not just being able to do it; it is being able to do it exceedingly well. I can assure you this is very difficult and requires training, experience and aptitude. Some of our very skilled employees’ families have been in the leather goods industry for generations.

Do you ever worry that these skills may be lost to modern manufacturing?
I think it is a very great shame that many of our traditional skills in this country are being lost, irreversibly, to countries with lower labour costs. For small luxury leather goods manufacturing, the process cannot be mechanised but many companies have already moved production to the Far East. As we are a quintessentially British company, only produce in comparatively small numbers and offer a bespoke service, I think it is highly unlikely that we would ever do this.

How has your own experience abroad shaped the design of your travel and outdoors collection?
It is impossible for me not to observe the leather goods being used when travelling abroad. My wife always comments on it when I do this on leisure trips. Our design may have a modern twist from what I have absorbed when travelling. Our products are essentially British but of course when manufacturing for foreign markets you have to take into account local customs, preferences and functionality. For example, a wallet for Japan must be of the right size to accommodate their currency and they are, as a nation, happy to carry men’s hand bags. The Chinese and Koreans do not carry coins, so their products do not need coin compartments.

Your father Gerard Ettinger famously worked on a number of German film productions; has his love of film rubbed off on you?
I must admit that I am not really a film buff myself. I tend to really only watch movies on long international flights. I have always had a great love for Jazz and blues. There is nothing I like more than to go to an informal venue and listen to live music.

Tell us about your ideal weekend.
My ideal weekend would be to go to Greece and bicycle leisurely around, sometimes looking at small archaeological sites or the murals in Byzantine churches, enjoying traditional Greek food and hospitality. However, I do not do this because of the rigours of flying and airports, for a weekend, are just too great and frankly my conscience twinges over the impacts of this on climate change.

So for me it is usually to stay out of London either at home or with friends. Try and get some good outside exercise in, share a meal with friends, maybe go to some Jazz or blues and read the financial times and Sunday times from cover to cover. I need to relax and recover from the rigours of the week.

You mentored Bridget Bailey during 2009-2010, what was it about her work that appealed to you?
It was her superb craft skills. She was a very artistic and versatile milliner. She could turn her hand to anything, even producing for us a flower arrangement made entirely out of leather. I was able to provide her with someone to talk to and enable her to formulate a strategic marketing plan. I know only too well how useful it is to have someone to sound ideas off with, who has knowledge and experience in the area you require. People have helped me in the past, maybe not in such a formalised manner, so it is nice to be able to continue the cycle by helping others.

Do you have any plans to mentor in the future and how do you hope this will benefit a new generation of craftsmen and designers?
Yes. The Crafts council have asked me to mentor a very gifted silversmith. I am very much looking forward to this.

Are there any designers past or present that you particularly admire?
There are many designers that I admire but in reality I think my taste is rather eclectic, choosing to combine a number of designs to give my products that modern twist whether it is style, colour or fabric. It is just so important that our designs remain so British with a timelessness and classic elegance.

You have travelled extensively, can you tell us a bit about your favourite locations and where you plan to visit in the future?
I love to travel, perhaps in a slightly different way. Our summer holidays are usually in Greece on a bicycle. No accommodation booked, no fixed itinerary, no Lycra, just luggage in panniers, staying in simple pensions and going as far as we choose or lunch permits! In winter we go to Oman, hire a four wheel drive and then, with only my wife, we free camp in the desert or on beautiful deserted coastline of South Oman. I also like to extreme ski, roping up, climbing to the top of the mountain and skiing down with no one but friends and a guide. My wife draws the line at this one complaining of vertigo when she stands on a thick pile carpet!

I would love to go to Bhutan and Sikkim. Buddhism and Himalayan mountain cultures really interest me.

Are there any examples of traditional craftsmanship you have encountered on your travels that have particularly inspired you?
It was amazing to see in Marrakech and Taroudant, some years ago, that they were still tanning leather outside in a lined hole. The whole process was absorbing. In rural Rajastan, I was fascinated by some of the traditional crafts that were still employed and the amazing skills required.

What has been your most profound travel experience?
The sun coming over a sand dune in the desert. You wake up, climb out of your tent, it is cold and everything is wet from the dew and suddenly the sun comes over the sand dune with its warmth and the immediate change in colour of the landscape. It is hard to describe but is just magical and somehow makes man look very insignificant.

What has been your favourite way to travel in style?
I, like everyone else, really enjoy a good hotel. I do not really like beach resort and spa type places, but I love hotels like the Raj Villas in Jaipur, The Conrad in Tokyo, the Hyatt Regency in Seoul and the Crowne Plaza in Salalah. All these hotels have something different to offer, are extremely comfortable and have great eating possibilities. I always try to get a business floor room as I cannot stand the bun fights of the busy buffet breakfasts. I am afraid that to me flying is a necessary inconvenience, although some airlines are definitely better than others at ameliorating the discomfort.

And finally, what lies in the future for the Ettinger brand?
The Ettinger brand is growing globally from Guam to New York. The challenge for us is to grow internationally without compromising our quality, exclusivity or our very Britishness that makes us so in demand. We are also starting to move into accessories for ladies, again not high fashion or bling but by producing products that are timeless and elegant.

Dream tax breaks

Posted on by Ben Debski

Few property owners are aware of this generous treatment. It is important to act quickly while it remains.

If you have bought a furnished residential property anywhere in the European Economic Area, in the last ten years you may benefit. It applies where let on a commercial basis. It also includes furnished holiday lets in UK. Personal use is fine subject to the following key conditions.

Tax need not be taxing!
Suppose you bought a property in Spain for 500,000 euro. Potentially this could provide a tax saving of up to 75,000 euro. At present this tax saving can be set off against both the rental income from this property and against any other personal income. It does not matter when the property was purchased provided you still own it now. For a property of 1m euro the saving could be 150,000 euro.

Take a tax holiday
The tax savings are available based on current UK law. This is not a scheme and Lovell Consulting has a 100 percent success record in reaching agreement for tax payers.  Experience indicates less than one percent of owners have benefited.

UK tax legislation provides a tax break for expenditure on furnished holiday lets for the proportion of the property price for heating, ventilation, swimming pools, sanitary ware, kitchen fittings and electrical installations.

Few advisors know how
Until recently few tax advisors have been aware of this concession applying in Europe. Most accountants are unable to assist. It requires a capital allowances specialist to value the proportion eligible. When you bought the property generally no split is available of the price. Your accountant only knows how much you paid for the property. Unfortunately no tax relief is available for the land or the bricks and mortar. It is therefore necessary for a specialist to segregate the price paid into the parts which do qualify. A fully disclosed analysis can then be included in your tax return. Typically up to 35 percent of the price paid for the property may qualify for tax savings.

What should you do now?
There is a short window to benefit from this tax break from now through to 30 January 2012. This is because the UK Government are introducing new laws which are more restrictive. Consequently for your tax returns for April 2010/2011 these will need to be sent to HMRC before 31 January 2012.

After this date tax savings are still available but will be more limited. So make the most of the tax breaks while the sun still shines.

John Lovell is a director of capital allowances specialists Lovell Consulting. For more information visit: www.lovellconsulting.com

Smartphone: Smart travel?

Posted on by Ben Debski

A new study conducted by  media agency Total Media has identified how the increasing use of smart phones is changing the way in which we conduct our travel plans. The Mobile Travel report reveals the impact of mobile web usage on the travel sector and in particular has identified how consumers use mobile in the planning process and what they really want from their mobiles when they travel.

The report identified that less than 10 percent of men and even fewer women use their mobile phones to update their Facebook and Twitter profiles once they are on holiday. When also asked what they would be interested in doing in the future on a mobile phone whilst on holiday, most were not interested in using Facebook or Twitter. Instead people much prefer web services that connect them with other consumer recommendations and services that make their trip easier.

People want to use their phones to check flight times (around 18 percent of 16- to24-year olds) and to book flights and hotels (15 percent of 16- to 34-year-olds). But, above all, it is applications that offer an insight into their destination: weather reports, how to ask for coffee, restaurant reviews. More than 15 percent of people in the 16 to 44 age profile are interested in an app for this purpose.

Falling roaming fees and tariffs have had a significant effect on our use of mobiles on holiday with 60 percent of women sending a text, 27 percent sending a MMS and 55 percent phoning home (compared to 47, 24 and 50 percent for men respectively).

Mobile inspiration
Traditional forms of mobile communication, unsurprisingly, still lead when people plan their holiday; texting friends to ask their opinion (45 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds) or phoning a friend for their opinion (42 percent of 25- to 34-year olds). But this is changing fast.

Mobile is no less of an inspiration device than a booking tool, with 14.7 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds using the mobile internet to look for ideas and 11.2 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds downloading a holiday-related app. Just under 13 percent of 16- to 34-year-olds check travel prices and more than 12 percent search for travel information using their mobiles.

Interestingly, men are twice more likely than women to use mobile internet, be it searching for the best price or downloading a travel app.

It is important to note however that the movement from traditional activities like voice and text to data driven web services is anything but uniform. There is a huge regional bias in adopting mobile for travel planning; a massive 20 percent of people from the capital used their phone for travel ideas; less than 2 percent did from the North East.

Growing importance of Apps
The Mobile Travel report also found that 44 percent of consumers would rather download a sponsored travel related app just to get it for free. The huge demand for sponsored apps provides a massive opportunity for brands. Free to the user, perhaps, but it is an excellent way for established brands to both cement their position in the market and engage with new customers in a fresh manner.

The paid for demand is also significant. Many consumers would pay, either one off (19 percent) for unlimited access or on a pay per usage basis (37 percent). This also shows that it does have the potential to be a new line of revenue, as well as a new route for communications. Interestingly, the people most likely to pay are younger consumers. For example, nearly 30 percent of 16 to 24s would pay a one-off cost for an application guide book, while only 10 percent of those over 65 would consider it.

Nick Oram, Managing Director of Total Media commented: “Mobile is now a mainstream channel for travel brands and they need to embrace it, whether it’s through optimising a site for mobile usage, developing apps for holiday inspiration or sponsoring successful ones.” He adds: “Destination companies of all types must start to engage with real time and geographic mobile services. They should encourage reviews, buy advertising and engage with reviewers in an open way. This will define how people make decisions while on holiday. It is early days, but the opportunity to take the lead is massive.”

Total Media’s Mobile Travel Report is based on online self completion surveys carried out by 1,375 consumers over 16 years who had travelled in the past 12 months. The research was carried out by Lightspeed research UK.