Radisson Blu: the best in the Baltics

The Baltic States may surprise you with their impressive range of sites and attractions to see and experience. Visitors from big, hectic cities will instantly notice the relaxed pace of life, and that almost everything is within walking distance. Exploring the diverse and beautiful architecture, much of it listed by UNESCO World Heritage, couldn’t be easier, but the Baltics are so much more than that.

A tempting trio
Lithuania, the biggest of the three Baltic countries, with an amazing 99km-long coastline of sandy beaches and soft dunes, is the official geographic centre of Europe. The country’s capital, Vilnius, lays at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers, nestled among tree-covered hills – a view that you can thoroughly enjoy on one of the popular balloon rides.

[Tallinn] is one of the most completely preserved medieval cities in the world

Vilnius’ Old Town is one of the largest historic city centres in eastern Europe. The first, indelible impression that most visitors get of the Latvian capital Riga is of its majestic skyline, as viewed from the left bank of the Daugava River. The slender gothic spires of the city’s many churches attest to its long history. The central part of Riga is the city’s economic and cultural core, and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site.

Riga’s wealth of Jugendstil (German art nouveau) buildings is unparalleled anywhere in the world. Yet equally unique are the many nineteenth-century wooden buildings that have proudly withstood the pressures of commercialisation and gentrification, retaining their place in Riga’s architectural cornucopia. Riga is a lively, spirited, and future-oriented city with its own distinct aura, charm, and style.

old Tallinn
Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, is built around an old medieval city – a must-see for any history buffs

Tallinn – the seacoast capital of Estonia – is a rare jewel in the north of Europe, perched in the Gulf of Finland, and is one of the most completely preserved medieval cities in the world. Once a Hanseatic town, the city still manages to retain an Estonian soul and identity. Although not a huge capital – the population of Tallinn is just over 400,000 – the city has it all, with a very rich cultural scene, pleasant atmosphere, and many interesting sights to be explored.

Soul and identity
The Baltics consistently offers attractions for art and music lovers. Today the cities boast excellent operas with world-class choirs and outstanding classical orchestras, not to mention jazz, rock, blues and other popular musicians performing both in concert halls and clubs.

This year’s European Capital of Culture, Riga, should certainly appear on your 2014 to-do list. The city will turn into a major location for festivities, where visitors will be offered numerous exciting events. And the Baltics’ museums are definitely not dusty repositories of the past, but are putting increasing emphasis on interactive displays and modern technologies. The cities’ many art galleries compete with one another, trying to predict the trends of the future.

Blu stay
The restaurant and bar scene in the Baltics complements any trip perfectly. You can choose to dine in one of the picturesque streets or have a cocktail in one of the most famous bars in the sky at the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija, Radisson Blu Lietuva or Radisson Blu Tallinn, all offering stunning views from their top floors. The cuisine will surprise you with a great selection of local fresh and organic food.

The facade of the Radisson Blu Astorija Hotel, in Vilnius, Lithuania
The facade of the Radisson Blu Astorija Hotel, in Vilnius, Lithuania

Whatever kind of hotel you value when travelling – designer, boutique, classical, or multi-functional – you’ll find it all in the Baltic States. Radisson Blu has an ideal centrally located base whether you are visiting Riga, Tallinn or Vilnius, with extras including casinos, spas, nightclubs and restaurants.

So, when seeking a perfect venue to host your next meeting or exhibition, consider the Tallinn location for up to 450 guests, Vilnius (600 guests) or well-connected Riga (1,300 guests). Each one is complemented by up to 20 generous breakouts that make perfect venues for congresses, kick-off meetings or seminars.

The season’s art and culture highlights

Holi Festival
Vienna
March 17

Originally a tribute to the Hindu festival of Holi, the Festival of Colour has taken on its own special meaning. As part of a global tour, the Holi Festival will be stopping off at Vienna’s Danube Island. The Austrian event coincides with India’s own festivities. Starting at midday, colours will be thrown at intervals until its close at 9:50pm. The traditional colour powder can be bought on site.

holifestival.com

Monte Carlo Rolex Masters
Monte Carlo
April 12-20

This event brings the giants of tennis to Monaco’s most famous principality. With players such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, this year’s tournament promises particular excitement. Held in the Monte Carlo Country Club, this is a fantastic opening for the European season. Along with the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Rolex Masters is one of Monte Carlo’s most symbolic events.

montecarlotennismasters.com

Art Basel
Hong Kong
May 15-18

Covering 12 decades of art history under the themes Galleries, Insights, Discoveries and Encounters, Art Basel brings together over 2,000 artists from east to west. The show includes discussions and presentations, covering a range of topics and perspectives, creating an atmosphere of cross-cultural discovery. Art Basel is a platform for intellectual exchange for both emerging and established artists.

artbasel.com

New Orleans Jazz festival
New Orleans
April-May 25-5

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, known locally as Jazz Fest, is a celebration of the music, food and culture of the US’ southern states. This year’s line-up features big names such as Santana, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan and Eric Clapton, as well as pop icons like Vampire Weekend and Christina Aguilera. The festival’s food areas dish up Louisiana’s best-loved creole delicacies.

nojazzfest.com

Our pick of the travel events calendar

Int’l New Energy Vehicle Show
Hong Kong
April 2-4

Over three days, the newest green vehicle technologies are showcased in a whirl of business innovation. One of the largest ecomobility trade shows and forums in 2014, the NEV reveals the future of transportation technologies, from electric and hybrid to hydrogen-powered vehicles, and covering everything from cutting-edge personal cars and industry HGVs, to city infrastructure solutions.
nev-hk.com

Arabian Travel Market
Dubai
May 5-8

The Middle East’s leading travel and tourism event, the Arabian Travel Market allows tourism professionals from around the world to network against the backdrop of cosmopolitan Dubai. The ATM lets visitors meet and conduct business with over 2,500 exhibitors. The market also hosts a series of seminars and workshops designed to give attendees a competitive advantage over other businesses in the industry.

arabiantravelmarket.com

Silicon Milkroundabout
London
May 10-11

Silicon Milkroundabout is a technology job fair geared towards buzzing start-up industries. The two-day event was created to give talented people and innovative new companies the opportunity to meet in an informal yet professional setting. Amid the organised chaos of this mass-networking event, 130 start-up companies will be looking for people of all experience levels to fill exciting new positions.

siliconmilkroundabout.com

CIO Event
Los Angeles
June 18-19

Bringing together leading global executives, the CIO Event is a forum of leadership and technological development. Leveraging its global IT community, the event offers compelling content and educational opportunities. Through panel discussions and workshops, the CIO Event cultivates a community of innovative IT executives. The CIO Event series also has events in Johannesburg, New York and Berlin.

cioevent.com

Spring 2014’s food and drink events

Festival of Saint Medir
Gracia, Barcelona
March 3

In 1828, a Barcelonan pastry chef was struck down by illness and prayed to Saint Medir, promising to embark on an annual pilgrimage when he was cured. Every year, la festa més dolça (the sweetest festival) honours his journey with a colourful parade, during which 60 tons of sweets are distributed among the crowds.

Tickets: Free

santmedir.org

International Chocolate Salon
San Francisco
March 14

Now in its eighth year, the International Chocolate Salon is held in San Francisco’s Fort Mason Centre and promises a veritable bacchanal of cocoa-based items. There will be demos from celebrity chefs, new product launches, wine pairings, a chocolate art gallery, the best organic brands and, of course, chocolate tasting.

Tickets: $20 advance/$30 OTD

sfchocolatesalon.com

Roald Dahl Easter
Kew, London
April 5-21

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Roald Dahl’s classic tale Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kew Gardens is putting on a programme of Willy Wonka-inspired events. You’ll have the chance to invent tantalising sweet recipes, or design, make and package your own chocolate bar. There is even an Easter egg hunt on April 20.

Tickets: Free (except chocolate-making)

kew.org

Grand Hyatt Istanbul: a taste of Turkish luxury

A stylish five-star hotel located in Taksim, Grand Hyatt Istanbul lies in the heart of both the business and entertainment districts of the city. The hotel is ideally located just 20km from the airport and a block away from the underground metro station. The Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower and Dolmabahçe Palace are just some of the nearby sights for guests to visit during their stay.

Grand Hyatt Istanbul lies in the heart of both the business and entertainment districts of the city

Grand Hyatt Istanbul boasts 360 rooms including 98 king-sized, 157 deluxe king (including three rooms for disabled guests), 71 grand club rooms with special amenities, 22 suites (12 with kitchenette), one presidential suite, and seven fully furnished luxury apartments. There is also a two-floor house, grand club rooms and suites, as well as a private lounge and reception that provide separate check-in and check-out facilities.

Setting the bar
Grand Hyatt Istanbul also provides exclusive dining facilities to its guests. Restaurant 34 offers a wide culinary variation and features both regional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, using authentic cooking methods. The restaurant is the preferred casual dining destination for both Istanbul residents and in-house guests, featuring animated show kitchens, a lively atmosphere and a delectable display of the best available food, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Grand Hyatt Istanbul's pool offers a relaxing spot in the sunshine. There is also a poolside café and bar that opens during the summer months
The Grand Hyatt Istanbul’s pool offers a relaxing spot in the sunshine. There is also a poolside café and bar that opens during the summer months

A diverse range of bars is also available, whatever your tipple may be. The Mezzanine Lounge and Bar is a perfect place to relax and taste types of flavoured coffee and a selection of teas, accompanied by delicious cookies and pastries. The Library Bar provides fine cognac and a vintage whisky selection in an inviting atmosphere beside the fireplace. Gazebo, which is open exclusively during the summer months, is the hotel’s poolside café and bar. It serves guests summer cocktails, light meals and ice creams.

Meetings made easy
Being in the centre of Congress Valley, Grand Hyatt Istanbul also offers business services. Highly adaptable meeting spaces, conference rooms and tech-smart amenities make this the ideal setting in which to conduct business. The hotel has a total of 1,966sq m of function space, with 19 meeting rooms, including a ballroom, large pre-function space, boardrooms, and flexible and divisible meeting rooms.

All meeting rooms have an ‘easy meet unit’ – a hi-tech wall with general conference equipment including a screen, overhead projectors, a slide screen, whiteboard and slide projector. A sound system, wireless microphone, DVD player, television, fax, air-conditioning, lighting system and BarcoVision also come as standard. All can be controlled by a single remote. In addition to these facilities, the hotel also has a separate showroom, meeting concierge and business centre.

One of the luxury meeting spaces at the Grand Hyatt Istanbul
One of the luxury meeting spaces at the Grand Hyatt Istanbul

One of the hotel’s most impressive conference spaces is The Mansion, which offers hosts the opportunity to hold meetings in a homely setting with a highly personalised and exceptionally dedicated service. It has six daylight meeting rooms, including two residential-style dining rooms, and dedicated lounges called The Kitchen and The Veranda, which are both ideal for cocktails and special delicacies. The Mansion, offers state-of-the-art technology, can host seated parties varying from 10 to 88, and holds up to 160 guests for cocktail receptions. The Mansion lounge features a convenient bar with hot and cold drinks.

Finally, no stay at the Grand Hyatt Istanbul is complete without a visit to its latest luxury service – the Gaia Spa and Fitness Centre. It is an exclusive space offering specially designed treatment rooms, a fitness studio and an exercise room, with yoga and pilates classes. The centre epitomises the seamless opulence of the hotel as a whole and complements the existing services to provide a truly five-star experience.

The dazzling Sheraton Macao Hotel

With the rise of Macau’s popularity has come a wave of world-class hotels, aiming to reap the rewards of the region’s recent boom

The former Portuguese colony of Macau has become a hotspot for discerning travellers across the globe, as many seek to sample its distinctive air of extravagance. With the rise of Macau’s popularity has come a wave of world-class hotels, aiming to reap the rewards of the region’s recent boom. Sheraton Macao Hotel is the largest and newest of Macau’s towering abodes. With 3,896 rooms, the property is among the very best the region has to offer.

Combining modern facilities with world-class service, Sheraton Macao Hotel sits at the heart of Macau and grants easy access to over 600 world-renowned brands, shopping outlets, a variety of international dining options, and Macau’s many heritage destinations. Sheraton Macao Hotel is in close proximity to the region’s best-known locations and is a short five-minute shuttle ride from Macau International Airport. Sheraton Macao Hotel is the perfect blend of business and leisure for those travelling to Asia.

Sheraton Macao Hotel's tropical Sala Pool
Sheraton Macao Hotel’s tropical Sala Pool

Vibrant Macau
Over three billion people are only a five-hour flight from Macau. Unlike mainland China, Macau offers visa-free entry for nationals in over 70 countries. For this reason and others, it is widely regarded as the most important point of cultural interchange between Europe and Asia.

Unlike mainland China, Macau offers visa-free entry for nationals in over 70 countries

Since the Portuguese landed in the sixteenth century, Macau has kept its ties with Europe intact and in 2005 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Evidence of Macau’s unique Sino-European heritage as well as its many modern landmarks are located within easy walking distance of one another, ensuring that visitors can sample the region’s must-sees, no matter their schedule.

The Cotai strip is home to over 12,000 rooms, all less than five years old. However, of them all, Sheraton Macao Hotel is undoubtedly the best equipped for business travellers, and maintains the very highest standards of corporate hospitality.

Work and play
With its extensive room inventory and plethora of meeting spaces, Sheraton Macao Hotel is capable of hosting large association gatherings, and can also be configured to accommodate smaller, more intimate gatherings.

The hotel's impressive Kashgar Grand Ballroom can be adapted to a variety of events
The hotel’s impressive Kashgar Grand Ballroom can be adapted to a variety of events

Best representative of the hotel’s flexibility is the 4,891sq m pillar-less Kashgar Grand Ballroom, which accommodates up to 5,000 guests, but is also divisible into as many as 16 smaller rooms. The hotel also has six junior ballrooms that can cater for groups as small as 12, all the way up to parties of 2,000 guests. In total, Sheraton Macao has in excess of 14,000sq m of meeting space.

Every function held at Sheraton Macao Hotel is assigned a dedicated event specialist. The hotel’s state-of-the-art technical equipment and services meet even the loftiest expectations, and include a simultaneous interpretation system for multi-lingual events.

Meet 24: Your meeting, your time

  • Groundbreaking and exclusive to Sheraton Macao Hotel, Meet 24 allows you to choose a 24-hour check-in and check-out option for your meeting groups.
  • If the group check-in time is 8pm, checkout time will be 8pm on the day of departure with no additional charges.
  • What’s more, you will enjoy the meeting space for the same duration, meaning delegates enjoy meeting and relaxing with incomparable flexibility.
  • The offer is valid January 20 to December 19 2014, and can be claimed by groups booking a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 100 rooms per night. Terms and conditions apply.

As part of the enhanced Sheraton meeting experience, the property also offers FIT meetings, developed in collaboration with Core Performance and based on the approach to training used at Athletes’ Performance facilities. The programme integrates breaks designed with healthy dining options to recharge body and mind and prepare attendees to perform at their best.

Meeting innovations
Starwood MICE Advisory Board was treated to tailored events during their three-day meeting programme. Poolside, under the stars, 50 attendees enjoyed a cocktail event created with the hotel’s exclusive Silver Light theme, while stilt-walkers, saxophonists and other entertainers created a magical atmosphere. This unique and sparkling theme can be scaled up to 1,000 guests poolside, and can also be reproduced in one of the hotel ballrooms.

Proving Sheraton Macao Hotel’s proficiency in hosting successful meetings, the property has earned acclaim from numerous clients. Computer storage and data management company NetApp joins a long list of satisfied clientele, saying: “The Sheraton, and Macau as a destination, is attractive to such a diverse selection of cultures, it made the decision easy to host our conference there. Travel access was seamless to bring together our key partners and employees from several targeted countries within the Asia region. Sheraton is known as a world-class brand. We knew the team would offer our attendees first-class service, dining, and entertainment that would make it attractive for them to accept our invitation.”

The ruins of St Paul's
The ruins of St Paul’s

Sheraton Macao Hotel is not only the largest hotel in Macau, but also the largest property in the Starwood Hotels and Resorts portfolio. The leading hotel and leisure company currently controls 1,134 properties in almost 100 countries and is universally renowned for its outstanding levels of service.

In keeping with the philosophy of Sheraton Macao Hotel’s Meet 24 package, the company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programmes, Starwood Preferred Planner (SPP), which allows you to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates.

It can be said with confidence that Sheraton Macao Hotel’s customer care, extensive corporate and leisure facilities, and ideal location make the property a premier stopover for those staying in Macau no matter the purpose of their visit.

Further information tel: +853 8113 0700, or email sales.macao@sheraton.com

Bupa & Jelf International: at the forefront of innovation in healthcare

When it comes to health and wellbeing, not all insurers are the same. Bupa, one of the world’s leading healthcare organisations, has been at the forefront of healthcare for over 65 years now and its specialist knowledge and global experience help to set it apart from the competition.

Bupa… has been at the forefront of healthcare for over 65 years now

Bupa identified diabetes, cancer, heart disease and dementia as four of the biggest health threats to the world’s population and has challenged itself to reduce the risk of these conditions, by funding research and raising awareness at every opportunity.

A prime example of this is Bupa’s collaboration with the World Heart Federation. On World Heart Day 2013 the two organisations teamed up to launch the Ground Miles Challenge, promoting walking as a way of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (such as heart attacks and strokes) with a global target of walking five million miles in various initiatives.

A digital marketing campaign featuring Chad Strider, to support the Ground Miles App and help promote the health benefits of walking, reached over one million views on YouTube within two weeks of launch in November 2013. The app is now being used in over 110 countries and 1,820 cities worldwide. This and other initiatives, such as the Be Healthy, Be Mobile programme in partnership with the World Health Organisation and ITU, will support Bupa’s 2020 ambitions of helping millions of people manage their health, and making quality healthcare accessible and affordable.

Bupa and Jelf International

  • In 2013 Bupa’s online health content had over 1.3m visits, a 40 percent increase on 2012.
  • The Ground Miles Challenge is a global movement to walk 5m miles (8m km) to encourage heart-healthy walking, unlocking funds for rheumatic heart disease projects to prevent early heart-related deaths in children.
  • “As a client of Jelf for many years, I can truly endorse their professionalism and business acumen.” Joan Barke, HR and Operations Manager at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

Bupa’s partnership with Alzheimer’s Disease International is another success story. Since joining forces they have put together a joint Global Dementia Charter, which is helping countries to develop National Alzheimer plans and tackle this life-changing disease head-on.

What’s noticeable about Bupa’s approach to chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer is that it treats the person, not the condition. By offering the right emotional support along the way – online, offline and face-to-face – it helps customers come to terms with their illness. As a result, people are starting to realise that cancer can be a treatable condition, rather than a terminal diagnosis. With its focus on chronic disease management, Bupa provides people with the tools to help them make healthy diet, nutrition and exercise choices, and therefore reduce their risk of chronic disease.

As a global company Bupa focuses on all regions and, recognising the high prevalence of diabetes in the UAE for example, has recently launched a diabetes-screening programme for a major client in the region.

Moving with the times
Bupa’s proposition has evolved a great deal over the years. Besides being synonymous with private healthcare in the UK, it is now a global organisation with over 14.5 million customers in 190 different countries.

What’s noticeable about Bupa’s approach to chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer is that it treats the person, not the condition

Members have access to 24-hour medical helplines, multi-lingual staff and expert advice – on everything from fitness and nutrition, to insomnia, pregnancy and regional health risks. Before going for treatment, members can opt to discuss their diagnosis with an independent medical expert, and are offered a second medical opinion at no extra cost.

Bupa even has its own in-house assistance team (WMA) who make sure that evacuations and repatriations are dealt with quickly, efficiently and with the utmost professionalism. They are great in a crisis and have saved the lives of countless Bupa members – by arranging air ambulances, locating appropriate medical facilities and speaking directly to consultants to ensure no time is lost.

“Bupa’s WMA team of doctors, nurses and international coordinators manage all medical assistance on behalf of our customers,” said Bupa’s Medical Director. “They deal with everything from relatively mundane bone fractures to high-risk clinical evacuations and, sometimes, the associated security risks in certain countries.” The team were closely involved in organising Bupa’s response to the tragic hostage situation at the Westgate Mall in Kenya in September 2013.

Last year, WMA’s life-saving evacuations also included a car-crash victim in Somalia, which involved repatriation to the UK via air ambulance; a cancer scare in Botswana involving evacuation to South Africa for further investigations; and a complex pregnancy in Nigeria requiring an emergency air ambulance to save the life of the pregnant woman. They also helped secure the safety of many Bupa customers after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines.

Together with Jelf International
Forming working relationships with the right people and organisations has always been one of Bupa’s greatest strengths. Healthcare practices vary throughout the world and collaborations with insurers, governments, hospitals and brokers have all helped to ensure that individuals and businesses continue to get the best healthcare products available.

Bupa’s latest partnership with Jelf International is a typical example of how two heads are better than one. It matches benefits and price to lifestyle and value, while providing Bupa reassurance – great news for international businesses and their employees.

Jelf International has been advising on international benefits for the past 15 years. Its dedicated team understands how managing the benefits of employees living and working abroad presents its own unique challenges.

Working with smaller companies that are looking to expand into emerging markets, as well as larger corporates, Jelf International has expertise in striking a balance between costs and the level of cover provided. They can also help provide that all-important peace of mind for employers covering duty of care for their employees.

Director of Jelf International, Doug Rice, says: “Post global recession, many organisations will be feeling more confident and looking to take advantage of overseas growth opportunities. We expect UK businesses to be more pioneering in their approach than before and look to develop their businesses further afield. With pressures to gain that first-mover advantage and establish themselves in new markets, it will be vital to be agile, responsive and competitive in terms of relocating existing staff and hiring employees in new territories.”

[P]eople are starting to realise that cancer can be a treatable condition, rather than a terminal diagnosis

Through Jelf International, companies can access a broad range of products and services, covering the physical, emotional and financial wellbeing of international employees and their families. Jelf International believes there will be a general broadening of international benefits packages as employers understand that their duty of care extends beyond the provision of international private medical insurance (IPMI) and incorporates health and wellbeing, as well as more specific aspects of employees’ finances, including the likes of protection, savings and asset protection.

So their recently extended product proposition spans from IPMI and business travel insurance, to include areas such as global wills and savings, plus more niche services such as protection for kidnap and ransom, which can be a great risk in certain regions. Jelf International is completely independent, but also works closely with the leading insurers including Bupa International to offer market-leading cover, giving clients the best of both worlds.

The Jelf International Umbrella Scheme is at the heart of its product offering. This International Private Medical Insurance policy, underwritten and provided by Bupa International, is designed to benefit low-risk clients through the pooling of risk.

According to Jelf International, the growing complexity of local legislation and licensing means that territory-specific independent advice will become more relevant to all employers. It’s for this reason that the company also provides international coverage, which it is continually looking to expand. This enables its team to provide a solution that meets companies’ specific needs, with support at a local level.

Jelf International also believes there’s a growing fraud risk (which some estimate equates to 15 percent of all claims spend), so insurers and employers will also be closely monitoring this from a cost-management perspective. An integral part of Jelf International’s corporate audit service includes monitoring these corporate risks and putting in place mitigating measures. This service is tailored to each individual client’s needs and includes elements such as membership audits, claims experience and a complete benefits review, to ensure companies are maximising value for money.

Moving abroad? No need to sweat with these handy tips

The first step to achieving a successful move abroad is getting your belongings to your new home safely. If you are moving to Europe you have a choice when it comes to removals: to use a professional removals firm, a ‘man with a van’ or simply rent a van yourself. If you’re moving to a long-haul destination, such as Australia, your options are limited to a professional remover or shipping company. Using a professional remover should be the safest and most hassle free option, and we offer eight tips for choosing one and completing a successful relocation.

  • Plan early, ideally two to three months before your planned departure date. Take a good look at everything you are taking and bear in mind not only costs, but the aggravation factor of, say, packing up everything yourself and under-estimating the bulk – this is very easily done! Even if you are not taking heavy goods such as beds and kitchen appliances, you may well find that what looks as though it will only need a relatively small space in a medium sized van will in fact need much more.

the BAR has a free conciliation service – in case there is a disagreement between you and your BAR remover

  • When choosing a remover, only use a firm that is a Member of the British Association of Removers (BAR), which means they must adhere to a strict code of conduct, which is recognised by Trading Standards. Also, the BAR has a free conciliation service – in case there is a disagreement between you and your BAR remover – and it also has a scheme that means any payment you make to a remover is protected throughout your move.
  • Aim to get three removers to quote for you. They should visit your home and calculate volumes and packing requirements before offering you a written quotation. Make sure the company has its own vehicles and packers and ask if they offer a groupage rate. Sometimes firms double up if they have another assignment to the same region and this will keep the cost down.
  • Preparing for a move is the ideal time to have a sort out and chuck out – after all, you are starting afresh and may well wish to purchase some furniture items when you arrive in your new home. This will save on removal costs as well as lessening the amount of packing. If transporting white goods and electrical items, check the voltage and plugs are applicable to your new home.
  • Some firms offer a service whereby unwanted items are transported to a local charity for you, so do ask. Weeding and chucking out is always beneficial!
  • Rates quoted will be based on many factors: the size of the load, whether it’s in a shared container or truck, how far the move is from the UK, the type of items and the number of men required for the job. Supply as much detail as you can to the company including details of your new home and where items are to go once there.
  • Once you have decided exactly what you are taking, make an inventory for yourself. This allows the company to know exactly what they are taking and will help you when you unpack with each box properly numbered and ticked off against the inventory. It will also help in the event of an insurance claim, since you will be able to prove the company had the items concerned. Check the situation with insurance and what you need to do to ensure your items are adequately covered.
  • Finally, get a written and dated quotation and make sure you know what is included.

Happy moving!

Richard Way is the Editor of The Overseas Guides Company, 0207 898 0549.

How to plan the perfect Paris family holiday

Family Twist is a unique travel agency designed to meet the needs of parents looking for a truly memorable holiday in Paris with their children. By removing all of the hassle and time-consuming aspects associated with trips abroad, Family Twist allows busy parents to focus on enjoying the City of Light and building wonderful family memories together.

With Family Twist you will avoid the queues and enjoy seamless connections between activities, meals and hotels

Tailor-made trips
Any business traveller will appreciate the excitement and the challenges of visiting a foreign city. Both the highs and the lows are amplified when young children are factored in, and very specific questions need to be addressed. Will there be activities that each generation will find entertaining and stimulating? How does one negotiate the local transport networks? What guarantee is there that the accommodation will be suitable for children?

Family Twist understands all of these requirements and has developed an exclusive range of services and options for parents to choose from. To save you time and inconvenience, Family Twist is able to book transfers upon arrival, with English-speaking drivers and appropriate car seats for young children. Prior to your trip, you can select from an array of rooms or connected suites at centrally located luxury hotels. Your accommodation will act as a launch pad for the unique cultural and fun-filled activities that Family Twist has to offer; your kids can enjoy everything from bread-making classes to impressionist art lessons. Other tailor-made activities include interactive beginner’s French lessons, medieval tours, or treasure hunts round the city’s world-renowned museums and galleries.

Paris family holiday
Participate in a family bread-making session and learn how to bake delicious, fresh bread – the French way!

Smooth scheduling
With an itinerary that is both highly organised and flexible, depending on your preferences, your family will experience Paris like never before. With Family Twist you will avoid the queues and enjoy seamless connections between activities, meals and hotels, meaning you get the very best out of the valuable time spent en famille.

Should you be combining your trip with business, Family Twist can adapt to your schedule and help with anything from booking transportation to providing you with English-speaking babysitters, who will be on hand to look after your kids at any time. A Family Twist trip to Paris is a convenient, hassle-free luxury holiday that the whole family will love – whether it’s your first time in the city, or you’re already seasoned Parisians.

Satisfied families

happy-kid

“The activities and tours were lots of fun and very well organised, with excellent hosts and facilitators who kept the whole family stimulated and entertained throughout. Our trip was absolutely brilliant.”
– Cynthia, UK

“Well done and a huge thank you! We couldn’t have enjoyed this trip without Family Twist.”
– Stacey, Australia

“We had a wonderful time and the kids really enjoyed it! They will never forget.”
– Melissa, US

“Overall the stay and design of the trip was fantastic, 10/10.”
– Mike, UK

LIAT: the Caribbean airline soaring to new heights

Established in 1956 as Leeward Islands Air Transport Services, LIAT airline began with a single aeroplane flying between Antigua and Montserrat. Now, LIAT serves 21 destinations. The Caribbean airline’s footprint is wide, stretching all the way from the Dominican Republic in the north, to Guyana on the South American mainland, and serving most of the islands in the archipelago.

LIAT is signalling the beginning of a new and exciting era of service to the Caribbean with a reimaging of its core identity

With LIAT you can fly to: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Canouan, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Nevis, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, St Croix, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Thomas, St Vincent, Tortola, and Trinidad.

LIAT, ‘The Caribbean Airline’, has been operating for nearly 58 years and is the only regional airline to have gone the full distance intact. Given the uncertain nature of the industry, this is a stellar achievement. To celebrate this fact, and to ensure the company is around for many years to come, LIAT has started a journey into a new era with a bright vision for the future, placing loyal passengers at the centre of its business focus. The airline is now displaying its confidence in the future with the arrival of new planes and a change in its corporate identity.

New fleet, new brand
The purchase of new planes (ATR 42- and 72- 600 series) sees LIAT poised to play an even greater role in the growth of its region and its people. The customers’ needs come first thanks to the most efficient and versatile turboprop on the regional market. This re-fleeting programme is due for completion in 2014 and will see the present stable of Dash 8 aircraft being replaced with 12 brand new ATR-600 series aircraft.

LIAT is signalling the beginning of a new and exciting era of service to the Caribbean with a reimaging of its core identity – the airline’s logo. The font has been changed to reflect the new reality of business and communication in a world led by instantaneous connectivity and increased sociability. The lines of the logo have been softened, presenting LIAT as more approachable and less formal. The ‘swishes’ have also been softened. They represent both the communication between the peoples of the Caribbean and the many bridges, or routes, LIAT provides.

Finally, the dot, representing the region’s ever-shining sun, reflects the warmth inherent in LIAT’s Caribbean promise. The addition of colour bands shows the increasing world LIAT now encompasses, the expansion of routes, as well as our bold new vision to transcend the Caribbean, expanding into destinations throughout the Americas.

Extra services
LIAT offers a full cargo service with a dedicated freighter aircraft. It currently operates to all of the Caribbean airline’s 21 destinations and there are plans to expand to additional territories. Customers can track their packages online at LIATcargo.com, and fresh food can be delivered safely throughout the region.

LIAT also offers an Express Package Service known as Quikpak. This provision is also available across LIAT’s whole range of destinations. Quikpak gets your packages there on the same day or overnight, at the most attractive rates in the region.

Taxback: Mexico’s tempting tax refund programme

Since 2009, Mexico’s visitors have had the chance to join in with Taxback. This tempting tax refund programme is for all international tourists that want to indulge in some shopping – just like in Europe, only a lot easier. Stores do not have to fill out any paperwork and neither do you. The Mexicans have really pulled it off.

When you go shopping at one of more than 6,000 affiliated stores all over Mexico, they give you a brochure and the invoice of your purchase. Together with a copy of your credit card voucher, you keep all these documents and when your travelling is over, just go to any of Taxback’s offices in Mexico, at the mall, the cruise ship port or the airport, and hand over your documents, passport and credit card number. The Taxback service agent processes your information and 40 days later you get your money back, in your own currency, on your credit card.

[Taxback] has generated over €142m in sales to the affiliated stores

The Taxback programme is now implemented at all major airports, like Cancún, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Cozumel, Monterrey, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Los Cabos and many more. Major cruise ship ports also participate. With over 50 service points all over Mexico, even at the shopping malls, Taxback makes sure to give you more information, making your shopping experience even richer.

Rewarding visitors
Mexico receives about 24 million tourists from abroad per year, placing the country tenth in the world for international visitors.

It is so easy to participate in Taxback. This is the leading tax refund programme in Mexico, holding a steady 90 percent market share. It has generated over €142m in sales to the affiliated stores, and refunded over €10m to international tourists in 127 countries all over the world.

Their biggest markets come from Brazil, the US and Russia, with an average spend of €900 per tourist. As of January 1, 2014, the Secretary of the Treasury will implement a new tax scheme, which will benefit the international tourist even more. VAT will rise from 11 percent to 16 percent at the border destinations and so your refund will go up. In total you will receive up to nine percent of your total purchase back. Now, the whole of Mexico has the same 16 percent VAT on purchases.

Taxback promotes the programme together with the Secretary of Tourism at major tourism fairs all over the world, and trains staff at hotels, stores, public relations offices, ground operations, airlines and more, so everybody in Mexico’s tourism sector is aware of the programme. This is a huge benefit for the international tourist. It places Mexico as the cheapest country in the Caribbean and Latin America for shopping – especially for jewellery, watches, sunglasses and brand-name clothes.

Mexico is truly an ideal shopping destination for all international tourists and business travellers

Mexican hospitality
Mexico is truly an ideal shopping destination for all international tourists and business travellers. With the amount of attractions Mexico offers, including the pyramids and other archaeology sites rated as treasures of World Heritage, the variety of world-class hotels and restaurants, wonderful sunny beaches and ecotourism, Mexico is a great holiday destination and can satisfy any kind of traveller.

Business travellers love Mexico too – the modern cities mixed with the colonial buildings, the variety of museums, world-class restaurants for business meetings, congress centres at all major destinations, easy transportation, and the excellent service of the friendly people makes you feel right at home. Taxback welcomes you to Mexico and would love to be able to assist you.

Tracing Mandela’s footsteps: a journey through South Africa

Following the death of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela – leader in the struggle for liberation, anti-apartheid activist, martyr, President and father of a nation – people have travelled from all over the globe to South Africa, to pay their respects to the great Madiba.

As both a prisoner of 27 years and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mandela dedicated his life to achieving freedom for those who were denied it during the apartheid. He has drawn attention from around the globe, in birth and in death.

These sites are not only tributes to Mandela’s life, but to his achievements

Places of significance in Mandela’s journey are now considered tourist attractions. Some sites such as Liliesleaf Farm, where 19 members of the African National Congress were arrested in 1963, and the Saxon Hotel, where Mandela wrote a large portion of his autobiography, are renowned for their impact on his life. Others, like The Voting Line, the Nelson Mandela Bridge and Nelson Mandela Square commemorate the nation’s favourite leader.

For those wishing to gain a broad understanding of Mandela’s life, while exploring South Africa, there are four key places to visit. Mandela’s tiny house in the Alexandra Township marks the beginning of his journey in Johannesburg, but also serves as a reminder of how much South Africa has changed since his arrival in 1940. The Mandela family home in Soweto, another suburb of Johannesburg, is now open to the public as a museum. It is symbolic of Mandela’s private life before and after his time in jail.

Robben Island Museum is an essential destination. Guided tours paint the picture of the then political prison, against the contrasting landscape of blue skies and clear waters. Finally, the Nelson Mandela Museum in the Eastern Cape marks the end of the journey. It is home to Mandela’s birthplace and burial site.

These sites are not only tributes to Mandela’s life, but to his achievements. Visiting the shores of Cape Town and the communities of Johannesburg’s townships, travellers can truly appreciate the peaceful, unified South Africa of today – its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, diverse population and indestructible spirit.

Alexandra Township
Alexandra, better known as ‘Alex’ by the locals, is one of Johannesburg’s poorest townships. It also happens to be where Nelson Mandela first lived after moving from his family home in the Eastern Cape in 1940.

Renting a room from the Xhoma family on Stanley Road, this small house in Alexandra is symbolic of Mandela’s humble beginnings. To see where Madiba began his journey in the Johannesburg region, visit the Mandela Yard Precinct. A narrow alley between crammed houses leads to Mandela’s previous abode, where he lived as a young lawyer. His old house in marked by a small, unassuming plaque.

Alexandra is not only a significant site in Mandela’s personal journey, but in the larger liberation struggle. Once known as the ‘Dark City’ due to the lack of electricity, Alex has been brightened by its rich history, vibrant culture and shining stars such as Mandela and jazz musician, Hugh Masekela.

It is best to visit Alexandra on a walking or cycling tour, as Alex is truly a ‘locals’ town. A typical tour includes a visit to the Pan African shopping centre, the Roman Catholic Church Precinct (home to St Hubert Catholic Church), the King’s Precinct, the Tsutsumani Village, and River Park, which aims to improve the Alexandra Township community through a wider renewal project.

Located between the N3 highway and the affluent suburbs of Sandton, Alexandra is not only home to poignant sites of liberation struggle history, but also unique arts and craft street vendors, outdoor markets, old taverns, and traditional healers in a lively union of old and new.

Guided tours are led from the Sandton and Rosebank Hotels. The Introduction to Alex tour runs from 9:00am and 2:00pm and typically lasts three hours. Lunchtime tours leave at midday and include a traditional meal in an Alex tavern, while evening tours start at 6:30pm.

Tips:

  • Enjoy umqombothi (African home-brewed beer) and a traditional meal in Alex’s best shebeens (informal taverns).
  • You can’t leave Alex without trying their street food, magwinya, or fat cake – a fried bread snack. Look out for it on street corners.
  • If you plan on staying overnight, choose between a local bed and breakfast and one of Sandton’s luxury hotels, only a five-minute drive away.
  • Be sure to treat all Alex residents respectfully; always ask permission before taking photographs.


Mandela House
The Mandela Family Museum, more commonly known as Mandela House, is situated at 8115 Vilakazi Street in Soweto’s Orlando West. The address itself is iconic, being the only street in the world to house two Nobel laureates – Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

Visitors can also see bullet holes and scorch marks on the walls, left by numerous attacks on the family while Mandela was in prison

Writing in his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, about his release from prison after a 27-year incarceration, Mandela said: “That night I returned with Winnie to No. 8115 in Orlando West. It was only then that I knew in my heart I had left prison. For me No. 8115 was the centre point of my world, the place marked with an X in my mental geography.”

A tour through the house offers great insight into Mandela’s private life; the audio-visual, photographic and live guides give visitors a narrative experience. The modest home consists of four interconnected rooms, laden with memorabilia, photos, paintings, Mandela’s old books, and honorary doctorates from international universities and institutions. Visitors can also see bullet holes and scorch marks on the walls, left by numerous attacks on the family while Mandela was in prison.

In 1997, the house became the Mandela Family Museum, which is now managed by the Soweto Heritage Trust, founded the same year by then-president Mandela. Mandela House is open Monday to Sunday from 9:00am to 4:45pm, excluding Good Friday and Christmas. Due to its size, capacity is limited to a maximum of 20 visitors at any one time. Booking is encouraged due to the museum’s overwhelming popularity. Tours last approximately 40 minutes and guides are available at no extra charge. It costs R60 for adults and R20 for children.

There are also other attractions in the surrounding area. The Hector Pieterson Museum is a short 10-minute walk away, while the Apartheid Museum and the Regina Mundi Church are no further than a 20-minute drive.

Tips:

  • Exclusive Mandela House merchandise is available. Products such as t-shirts, caps, stationary, DVDs, books and bags are for sale in the visitor centre.
  • Also look out for local crafts being sold around the corner from Mandela house.
  • Soweto has a variety of accommodation, from home stays to the Soweto Hotel. Otherwise, Johannesburg offers a wide range of choices.
  • Be sure to try some local specialties at one of the restaurants in Soweto. The African dishes in this area are deliciously authentic.


Robben Island Museum

Robben Island has long been a popular destination for visitors to South Africa. The cell in which Mandela spent 18 years of a 27-year incarceration is significant to both the nation and its visitors, with world leaders such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama travelling to the former political prison.

Marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 for its ‘triumph of the human spirit’, Robben Island was where South Africa’s anti-apartheid activists were banished. It was not only a prison, but a ‘university of the Struggle’, where the next generation of political leaders debated and discussed the future of their nation. It was here that Mandela emerged as the leader of the ANC.

On a three and a half hour tour, including a 30-minute ferry ride to and from the island, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Robben Island’s rich past. The tour includes a guided excursion around the prior maximum security jail by a former political prisoner, as well as 45-minute commentary on the island’s history, which was previously used as a leper colony, mental hospital, defence training base and an animal quarantine station.

Tours leave from Nelson Mandela Gateway at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. The V&A Waterfront is a spectacle in its own right. Against the background of Table Mountain, the harbour is the most-visited destination in South Africa. The waterfront is lined with shops, markets, restaurants and activities for the whole family. With a bustling, modern vibrancy and a deep, moving history, a trip to Cape Town offers visitors a varied and exciting experience.

Tips:

  • It is best to visit Robben Island in spring and summer (September to February), as the seas become rougher in winter.
  • Standard tours cost R250 for adults and R129 for children under 18.
  • The V&A Waterfront is home to some of Cape Town’s best visitor accommodation.
  • Robben Island is also home to interesting wildlife, so be sure to bring a camera.


Mandela Museum
Mandela Museum, located in Mandela’s home province of the Eastern Cape, celebrates various phases of the leader’s life, from a youth spent in Qunu, to his presidency. The museum, which was built is his honour, is divided into three structures: The Bhunga building, the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre, and the open-air museum at Mvezo.

The Bhunga building is located in Mthatha and usually houses the main museum exhibition. Words from Mandela’s autobiography punctuate visitors’ journeys as they travel through the display. The museum also showcases the gifts Mandela received as a statesman.

However, due to a two-year refurbishment, the exhibition has been moved to the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu. Here, visitors can partake in heritage tours, and cultural experiences, such as traditional dance and food, can also be arranged. As part of the tour, visitors will be escorted around the remains of Mandela’s primary school, where he received his Christian name, Nelson.

Mandela Museum, located in Mandela’s home province of the Eastern Cape, celebrates various phases of the leader’s life, from a youth spent in Qunu, to his presidency

It is here in Qunu that Mandela’s body rests. While the public is not yet allowed to visit the burial site, people have been travelling to Qunu to pay their respects. In the final fortnight of 2013, typically a quiet time of year, the museum was receiving 500-1000 visitors a day and has had no problem in accommodating the travellers.

“What [visitors] are most interested in is the story of Nelson Mandela as well as his last resting, that is the grave site. As much as they are not yet allowed to come to the grave site, but they are happy even with the opportunity to view the grave site at a distance,” Mandela Museum communications manager, Nokuzola Tetani told the Zimbabwe Mail.

The open-air museum at Mvezo is Mandela’s birthplace. Although not operated by the museum, it is considered the third site. Here, Mandela’s inkaba (umbilical cord) is buried, as customary in Xhosa tradition. The sites comprising the Nelson Mandela Museum mark the great leader’s birth, death and accomplishments in between.

Tips:

  • When visiting Qunu, curios from local craftsmen and traditional meals are considered must-buys due to their strong cultural significance.
  • The museum in Qunu offers upmarket accommodation for all kinds of travellers.
  • The Nelson Mandela Museum is located on the N2, a natural stopover destination between the major centres of Durban and Port Elizabeth.
  • Qunu is most easily accessed via East London Airport, which is a two and a half hour drive away.