8 Reasons to visit Zürich in 2016

Our friends at Zürich Tourism recently emailed us with 8 good reasons to visit Zürich in 2016. We would love to help put together a holiday for you to this brilliant destination.

This year, Zurich offers a host of unforgettable experiences for culture lovers and sports enthusiasts. In addition, a newly launched Festival in September promises to delight gourmets’ taste buds, while exclusively this summer a very special open-air swimming pool provides a welcome opportunity to cool down.

Here's the list:

1. Dada!

In 2016, the legendary movement on the interface between art and madness celebrates its centenary, and the whole city will be in Dada fever. Publications and exhibitions at the Cabaret Voltaire – the birthplace of Dada –, the Kunsthaus Zürich, the National Museum Zurich and many other cultural institutions devote themselves entirely to the Dadaists and their legacy.

2. Manifesta 11

This important roving European biennial of contemporary art is guesting in Zurich in 2016. From June 11 until September 18, international artists will address the theme of “What Do People Do for Their Money?”. The results can be viewed at the Pavilion of Reflections and at other exhibition venues. Incidentally, during Manifesta 11, ZürichCARD holders can benefit from reduced admission in many places.

3. A Very Special “Badi” Bathing Facility

The festival center of Manifesta 11 is the Pavilion of Reflections, a floating construction that has been specially made for the event. During the day it serves as an outdoor bathing facility, while in the evening it is transformed into an exhibition space and floating stage. Thus, for the duration of Manifesta 11, Zurich has another “Badi” – as Zurich’s highly popular lakeside and riverside bathing areas are known – for visitors to enjoy.

4. Opening of the FIFA World Football Museum

A highlight for all soccer fans is the opening of the new FIFA World Football Museum on February 28, 2016. The museum houses an interactive experience world featuring numerous highlights, including the original FIFA World Cup Trophy, the original shirts of all the national teams and a giant pinball machine.

5. Züri Fäscht

A highlight that only takes place every three years: during the first weekend in July, the Züri Fäscht guarantees three days of party feeling in the heart of Zurich’s Old Town. Carnival attractions, music, bars and culinary specialties put the approximately one million visitors in a lighthearted summertime mood.

6. MuDa – Museum of Digital Art

The first museum in Europe dedicated to digital art opens in Zurich at the beginning of 2016. On display are works of art that have been created digitally – that is, using a computer. What makes it all the more special is that the building costs were partly financed by means of an online crowdfunding campaign.

7. FOOD ZURICH

Fine food, slow food, street food: for 11 days in September, everything in Zurich revolves around food. During the FOOD ZURICH festival, gourmets, foodies, picnic enthusiasts, hearty eaters, meat lovers, vegetarians, vegans, gluten intolerant people, and “sweet” and “savory” fans can sample countless culinary delicacies from all over the world.

8. Opening of the newly extended National Museum

2016 sees the inauguration of the long-awaited extension of the National Museum Zurich. The new building will open to the general public in August. Its first exhibition entitled “Europe in the Renaissance: Metamorphoses 1400 – 1600” devotes itself in an impressive way to the most important advances in human history – such as the invention of the printing press and the discovery of an unknown continent.

Philippine Airlines - AKL to MNL In-flight Entertainment

We are extremely pleased to confirm that the Philippine Airlines A320 aircraft flying to and from Auckland via Cairns is equipped with iPad in flight entertainment systems for your Economy Class passengers.
 
These are preloaded with a variety of movies, music, TV shows and Games,

The iPads come with external batteries that will last the flight time to Manila.

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Air New Zealand: Notification about small vehicles powered by lithium batteries

Air New Zealand wishes to advise that effective immediately small vehicles powered by lithium batteries are not permitted to be carried on Air New Zealand operated services as cabin baggage, checked baggage or cargo.

 
Small vehicles powered by lithium batteries, that are also known as a rideable, hoverboard, airwheel, solowheel, mini-segway, or balance wheel (but are not limited to these product names) etc, are battery-powered vehicles used for recreational purposes. These are different from mobility aids which will still be carried.

Explore the Ancient Kingdoms

Our friends at The Innovative Travel Company have released their 2016 'Ancient Kingdoms Holidays' packages.

They have over 25 years of experience which has allowed them to build strong relationships with local representatives in each country.

Are you thinking about Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, or Morocco? How about Spain or Croatia? What about experiencing Israel, the Gulf States or Persia? Or India and Sri Lanka?

There are so many options - from Escorted Tours, to luxury travel. They have holiday for everyone. Are you a solo traveller? Would you be travelling as a family? What about travelling as a couple or with your friends?

Who would you travel with? Where would you go?

Give us a call and we'll help you start putting together a fantastic trip.

Virgin Australia announces non-stop flights from CHC to RAR

Virgin Australia has announced today that it will fly non-stop from Christchurch to Rarotonga, starting Saturday 25 June 2016.

The last flight for the season will be on Saturday 08 October 2016 and will enable South Islanders to fly direct to the Cook Islands without having to transit.

Flights will depart Christchurch at 2.00pm on a Saturday arriving in Rarotonga at 8.35pm the day prior. The return flight from Rarotonga to Christchurch departs at 11.10pm and arrives in Christchurch at 2.25am on the Sunday.

Destinations: Boracay, Philippines

One of my connections and I were talking about travel and he mentioned that his favorite place in the world is the island of Boracay, in the Philippines.

This peaked my interest as Target Travel is known for its Philippines expertise.

Personally, I've not visited there (yet) and I still have a long-held impression (think church youthgroup mission trips to Manila) of chaos and rubbish. I know that this is, of course, incorrect. Hugely incorrect. The best way to reprogramme this sort of thing is to actually get amongst the people on the ground! (starts researching and saving my pennies)

To listen to him talk about Boracay with such passion and see some of his photos, this destination has gone onto my list. Apparently it's just beautiful and not that expensive.

Ask us about how to get there and give you local advice on what there is to see and do!

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The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is cooking up plenty of new ideas for Festival 2016, including a brand new look as well a short and sharp ten day program 4 - 13 March.

If you're a foodie (I am) and if you love Melbourne (I do) then you should definitely start to plan for this.

Target Travel can help you with flights and accommodation. Give us a call to start the ball rolling.

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American Airlines brings its premium service to New Zealand

American Airlines will add new nonstop service between Auckland Airport (AKL) and its trans-Pacific gateway hub at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in June 2016, pending regulatory approvals.

The new route will give customers of American, the largest airline in the world, direct access to a renowned travel destination. New Zealanders will gain more flight options and convenient connections to the world’s top financial centres and cities throughout the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America from American’s long-standing LAX hub.

“Auckland is a thriving destination for business and leisure travelers, and it adds to the growing strength of our global network across the Pacific,” said Doug Parker, American’s chairman and CEO. “We know tourism is an important industry for New Zealand and our new service will provide greater access for more American travelers to visit and appreciate all the country has to offer. Our 100,000 employees are excited to be the first U.S. carrier to offer a truly premium experience between Los Angeles and Auckland.”

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce, said the new Auckland-Los Angeles service, which will codeshare with Qantas, would join together networks on two continents. “Customers can fly to more than 150 US destinations with American Airlines and more than 70 destinations across Australia and New Zealand with the Qantas Group and we’re very pleased to now be adding this new route to the list.

“American’s new non-stop Auckland-Los Angeles service is supported by Jetstar’s domestic connections to eleven destinations within New Zealand and Qantas Group’s nearly 40 daily flights to Australia. When you join our great networks with our new service, customers will be able to fly from Dunedin to Disneyland, Napier to New Orleans and Wellington to Washington,” said Mr. Joyce.

The two CEOs met earlier today with New Zealand Prime Minster John Key to present details of American’s planned service that is expected operate on the following daily schedule (all times local):

American plans to operate its new daily service between LAX and AKL with the newest addition to its fleet, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. The Dreamliner features a state-of-the-art onboard travel experience including international Wi-Fi, as well as higher humidity and pressurization closer to sea level conditions, leaving customers more refreshed after their flight. Every seat has a touchscreen monitor equipped with up to 260 movies, 240 TV shows, 13 radio channels, 350 albums and 20 games, along with universal AC power outlets and a USB connection. The aircraft is configured with 28 fully lie-flat Business Class seats, each with direct-aisle access. There are an additional 55 Main Cabin Extra seats with extra legroom, and 143 Main Cabin seats.

The flight is a part of American’s expanding joint business with Qantas, which remains subject to regulatory approvals. Earlier this year, the two airlines announced increased flight options as a part of this strategic partnership between the U.S. and Sydney Airport (SYD). Starting this December, American will launch a new nonstop flight from LAX and Qantas will add a new flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Through their enhanced relationship, American and Qantas intend to provide increased connectivity to markets beyond their key gateways. As the leading airline with the most daily flights in Los Angeles, American’s extensive network from its LAX hub can connect customers traveling from New Zealand to more than 50 destinations. These destinations include convenient connections to the world’s top financial centers, including New York City and London, in addition to other top markets throughout the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. American has a rich history as Southern California’s premier carrier, including 80 years serving Los Angeles. American has nearly 200 daily departures at LAX, the only three-class transcontinental service and unrivalled customer service on the ground and in the air.

AKL-LAX
Starting June 2016
Departs AKL at 1:20 p.m.
Arrives at LAX at 6:30 a.m., the same day
LAX-AKL
Starting June 2016
Departs LAX at 10:45 p.m.
Arrives at AKL at 6:35 a.m., two days later

United Eliminates 2nd Checked Bag Charge for Australia and New Zealand Customers

The 2nd checked bag charge for all customers traveling to/from Australia and New Zealand will be eliminated, regardless of point of origin (POO) or point of sale (POS). Effective for booking and ticketing on/after November 4, 2015 and for travel on/after December 17, 2015, all passengers will receive two free checked bags.

Why are they changing?
"Our corporate and agency customers have provided valuable feedback indicating that a 2nd bag charge increases book away to other airlines. We listened and we are responding by removing the 2nd bag charge for all customers traveling to/from Australia and New Zealand. "

This is good news for our customers wanting to fly United.

United Airlines To Launch SFO-AKL route

United Airlines is set to commence flights between San Francisco and Auckland from Jul 2016, in cooperation with Air New Zealand.

Subject to regulatory approvals, UA will commence a thrice-weekly 787-8 service SFO-AKL from Jul, moving to a larger 787-9 aircraft on the route from Nov 2016. The new UA flights will complement NZ's current daily service on the route.

NZ boss Christopher Luxon says UA has supported NZ's Houston service launch and adds that today's announcement is another important step in expanding the partnership between the pair.

* source - Travel Today