Seven wonders of the natural world

Uluru or Ayers Rock in Australia has been shotlisted for the new 7 wonders of the natural world

A global campaign organised by a Swiss philanthropist has begun to decide the seven wonders of the natural world, out of 28 that have been shortlisted. Continue reading »

Moscow airport first to trial ‘Sleepbox’

St Basil's, Moscow

If you’re going to be passing through Moscow airport any time soon, why not give the Sleepbox a go?

Designed to offer travellers a place to lay their head for an hour or two during long periods of waiting at the airport, this free-standing, mobile wooden box comes complete with a bed, luggage space, WiFi, electrical sockets and an LCD TV.

However, as the name suggests, the Sleepbox is only 1.4 metres wide, two metres in length and 2.3 metres in height, making it sound more like a coffin that a space in which to relax to me!

The designers of the Sleepbox plan to expand and locate these wooden boxes in train stations, expo centres and in busy offices.

Perhaps, this invention will offer a bit of respite for those who find themselves with a lengthy delay or connection, but I’m not sure it’s something I’ll be trying any time soon!

China to build world’s biggest airport

British Airways plane in flight

Beijing has recently started building what it hopes will be the biggest airport in the world, estimating that over 370,000 passengers could pass through its doors every day.

Born out of an ever-increasing demand on the city’s existing airport that handled 73 million travellers last year, the new Beijing Daxing airport could see up 120 million passengers p.a., making it the world’s busiest aviation hub.

The airport is set to open in 2015 and will be complimented by a new, high-speed train that will mean travellers can get from the airport to the city in 30 minutes. However, the new construction hasn’t impressed everyone, with environmentalists warning about the effects the higher volume of air traffic will have on the country’s pollution problems and high greenhouse gas emissions.

To find out more about tailor-made holidays to China, visit the China section of our website, or speak to a specialist directly on 01993 838 220.

Preserving Japan’s heritage

Geisha in autumn, Japan

A city in Japan is doing all it can to keep up traditional geisha culture after numbers in the area dropped significantly from 200 to five in just 30 years.

Shimoda, a small seaside city in Shizuoka prefecture, has announced it is to launch a scheme paying young women to learn the traditional ways of the geisha in a bid to save this dying art. Continue reading »

Last chance to see China exhibition at the Ashmolean

The Great Wall of China

You have until 20th November 2011 to visit Cultural Revolution: State Graphics in China in the 1960s and 1970s, a fascinating exhibition currently being held at the Ashmolean museum in Oxford.

The exhibition opened its doors to visitors in March of this year displaying recent acquisitions of Chinese graphic art from the period of the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). Continue reading »

Royal Opera House to open in Muscat

Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman

I’ve just heard from our North Africa & Arabia Regional Manager that a brand new, state-of-the-art Royal Opera House is to open in Muscat, Oman on 14th October 2011.

With a capacity of 1000, the venue will showcase a number of world-famous productions during its first season, including Swan Lake, Carmen, Giselle and Turandot.

Described as “A unique art and cultural edifice with no parallel in the Middle East region“, it will be possible to include a visit to the Opera House in a tailor-made trip to Oman with Audley.

To find out more about tailor-made holidays to Oman, please visit the Oman section on our website, or speak to one of our Oman specialists directly on 01993 838 430.

The Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman

Sleeping amongst the stars

Russia has announced plans to build a hotel in space

Forget space travel, that’s old news. For those with a thirst for adventure, Russia has unveiled plans to build a hotel in space, officially called the Commercial Space Station!

The hotel, which is due to open in 2016, will include four cabins that can house seven guests, who will spend two days aboard a Soyuz rocket to reach the hotel.

A five-day stay will cost £100,000, on top of £500,000 for the journey, so it’s not for those looking for a budget holiday, but would certainly offer some interesting holiday snaps!

Audley employee to travel across the Himalayas in a rickshaw!

Jimmy on a rickshaw in India

Two years ago one Audley employee and two of his friends drove from Goa to Pokhara – 3000 km right across the heart of India in a ridiculous rickshaw.

Now they have decided to up the ante and buy two rickshaws to drive up and into the Himalayas. The roads in Northern India are some of the highest and toughest in the world and they will cross a series of 5000 metre passes before hopefully bagging the Khardung La at 5361m, the highest road in the world. At the same time they aim to break a record for the highest three wheeler in the world.

Now you may think that Jimmy, Audley’s East Africa Regional Manager, and his friends are mad, but their journey is not without cause. They will be raising money for the Shuxiong school, cut of from the rest of the world for eight months of the year. Recently the subject of a BBC documentary this school has one of the toughest school runs anywhere with children trekking dozens of miles along ice rivers. Jimmy and his friends aim to raise money to help transport the children, provide heating in their classrooms and also increase the classroom space. This will make a massive difference to the chances of these children getting a decent education.

All money raised will go directly to the school.

Best of luck to all three!

New Christchurch cathedral to be built out of cardboard

Christchurch, New Zealand

An architect from Japan, famous for his cardboard architectural creations, has been drafted in by the city of Christchurch in New Zealand to reproduce one of their most iconic buildings, badly damaged by two earthquakes in 2011.

While plans are made for the restoration of Christchurch’s cathedral, Shigeru Ban will create a temporary cardboard version of the structure which will be finished in time for the 1 year anniversary of February’s devastating earthquake. It is hoped this structure will stand as a replacement until the original building can be fully restored.

Using 86, locally produced tubes which are treated to ensure they are weatherproof and fireproof, the building will even incorporate a large stained glass window designed by a local artist!

To find out more about visiting Christchurch on a tailor-made trip to New Zealand, please visit the New Zealand section of our website.

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon in London

The iconic Hong Kong skyline

2012 will be the Year of the Dragon and to celebrate the Hong Kong Tourist Board will be hosting a number of events in London throughout September.

With a focus on food, a street festival will take place on Molton Street from 12th to 18th September. This will include live street entertainment and displays as well as an information stand from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

From 12th to 25th September at Mews of Mayfair, Lancashire Court, HKTB will be hosting a food promotion, where diners can enjoy a specially crafted menu inspired by one of Hong Kong’s top Michelin starred chefs.

For more information on this event, visit the Hong Kong – Live in London Facebook page.

To find out about tailor-made trips to China, including a city stop in Hong Kong, visit the China section of our website. You can also stop over in Hong Kong as part of a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.