Ready, Steady, Shoot

A steady tripod for your camera can make the difference between a great shot and a blurry mess. Unfortunately , in the era of ultralight travel, most of us don´t want to carry a heavy traditional stand, and mini versions usually aren´t flexible enough.

Enter the Gorillapod, a moldable mini-tripod that can wrap around tree branches, hang from doorknobs and lampposts, or perch steadily on jagged boulders.

They come in three sizes, from tiny pocket cams to full-scale SLRs with zoom lenses and a standard threaded attachment makes it easy to connect and remove the Gorillpod from your camera.

Price: usd 25 - 55
www.joby.com

Spend a weekend in Berlin

Berlin is a fascinating city and a monument of living history. There is plenty to see - from graffiti covered remnants of the wall itself to Hitler's bunker and the new Jewish synagogue centre. Berlin is by no means stifled by its extraordinary past - it is hurtling headfirst into the future with hip bars attracting a trendy young crowd in the Mitte and Charlottenburg districts.

Bring Tachen´s new guide book with you to get Berlin's best culinary and nightlife secrets.

You can feel like a true Berliner thanks to the insider’s tips in this handy guide. From the best Currywurst stand to the coolest place to grab a cocktail and all the best places to sample fine Berlin cuisine, these are truly priceless pointers.
www.taschen.com




Stay

Sofitel Berlin Schweizerhof
This modern hotel is situated in the heart of Berlin, close to Zoologischer Garten train station, the Kurfürstendamm boulevard and KaDeWe mall.
Superior room, €140 (normal rate €235)>> view more info


Apartments at Brandenburg Gate
These bright, comfortably furnished flats are located in the centre
of Berlin between the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz,
in close proximity to the "Unter den Linden“ boulevard, the
Pariser Platz, the Holocaust memorial and the new central train station.
Apartment, 3 persons, € 118 (normal rate €138) >> view more info
Maisonette, 4 persons, €145 (normal rate € 165) >> view more info


Schoenhouse Apartments
These stylish apartments are only 10 minutes walk from Alexanderplatz in the trendy destrict of Prenzlauer Berg.

All the sights of Berlin can be easily and quickly reached and explored, either by foot, by car or by public transport.
Senior studio, €95 (normal rate €150) >> view more info

Blown away by Borneo

Kota Kinabalu
Sandwiched between the Crocker Range and the clear waters of the South China Sea, Sabah's capital city of Kota Kinabalu lays claim to one of the best locations of any city in Southeast Asia. With convenient flights from several nearby Asian countries KK (as the city is universally known) is the logical entry point for most travellers to Borneo.

Taste the thrill of dawn on SE Asia’s highest mountain
Conquer and cherish the challenge of a 4000m peak, climbing Mount Kinabalu (4095m), over 2-3 days in the world heritage site of Kinabalu Park. Pre-book rest house Laban Rata via Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. Rise at 2am for the steady but safe climb in the dark (torch essential) and be rewarded with the sight and silence of dawn breaking.
Stay

After that adventurous climb reward your self by checking in to luxurious Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa. It´s the perfect choice for those who want to combine the attractions of Kota Kinabalu with the features of a tropical resort. It's a sprawling complex which occupies most of the Tanjung Aru point about 3km south of the city centre. The superior rooms here have city/mountain views, while deluxe rooms have ocean views, and all rooms have private balconies.
There are seven on-site restaurants and bars; hourly boat service to Manukan Island, two large swimming pools and one small beach. Parents will appreciate the kids club, which has minders who will watch kids all day free of charge.
Mountain View room, MYR 670 (normal rate MYR 800) >> view more info

.....and if you are on a tight budget
Tune Hotels.Com 1 Borneo Kota Kinabalu
As a limited-service hotel brand we focus on high-quality basics, a 5-star standard bed and powerful showers, housed within a clean and secure environment. The hotel is strategically located for major tourist attractions.
Double room, MYR 80, >> view more info

Deep Calm Travel Candles

Travel candles are a smart item to include on your packing list. These small (and travel candles should be small), fragrant candles can transform a hotel room from a sterile place into a pleasant smelling room.

thisworks has got the perfect set for you.

Four travel candles (with ceramic candle holder) infused with essential oils in a neat, portable travel case. This grounding blend of Vetivert, Lavender and Camomile will help you slow down, unwind and be quiet.

www.thisworks.com

Beijing - not just the Olympics

There are more exiting things happening i Beijing than just the Olympics.
Why not pay a visit when all that hustle and buzzle is over.

iD Traveller recommends you to take a look at 798 Space, optimistically billed as Beijing's Soho district, this Soviet-designed former weapons factory is a center for local modern art and fashion.
Gallery after gallery, the quiet and modern atmosphere paired with sufficient artistic imageries are calming and relaxing at the very least - a priced escape from the rest of Beijing. The art pieces are enjoyable to look at, and the coffee bars are filled with expected commercial delights.
http://www.798space.com/

For dinner we suggest you head for the Green T.House. It´s the brainchild of JinR, the eternally youthful artist and classical musician turned celebrity chef. Design is a serious matter: the chairs have eight-foot-high backs and there's a choice between communal tables and Perspex-and-white-cushioned banquettes. The enthusiasm for detail in the neoclassical food leaves a lasting impression: chrysanthemum-tea soup heated by flaming pebbles, sensational baked prawns with wasabi served on a bark platter, and black sesame icecream enveloped in clouds of dry ice. The Green T. House is open for lunch and dinner. Booking is recommended.
http://www.green-t-house.com/

Sleep

Alley Garden Courtyard Hotel
Located in the heart of the old city, this is probably the most traditional and original Si He Yuan, meaning an old style Chinese house.

Within 2 yards, you can observe a hundred years of history. In this safe, healthy and quiet area, you can see the many changes that Beijing has undergone, and is still undergoing.
Standard room, USD 62 (normal rate USD 190)


Shanshui Trends Hotel
Located near to the Beijing West Railway Station, Shanshui Trends Hotel offers you fashionable design and convenient transport in a privileged location.
Double room, USD 100 (normal rate USD 150)

Peace of mind whatever your method of travel

Over 310,000 travellers lost their luggage last month!
Don´t join them. Use a globalbagtag.

globalBagTag is a unique service which offers protection for your luggage and valuables worldwide whenever you travel. The stylish heavy duty luggage tags and security stickers fix securely to your baggage. Full details of your luggage, travel itinerary and contact details are stored on our secure database and can be updated at any time. You can use your tags every time you travel giving you extra protection and peace of mind whatever your destination or mode of transport.

Should you lose your baggage or valuables they are traceable worldwide 24 hours a day via globalbagtags website.

Special offer - buy three packs and receive a free pack or buy five and receive TWO free packs!
For more information - click here

It´s time to hit the beach!

Playa del Carmen
Over the last few years, this little beach town has grown to become the most appealing destination in the Riviera Maya.

People from all over the world visit Playa del Carmen, drawn by its stunning beaches and its relaxed Caribbean lifestyle.
You’ll find everything you need in Playa del Carmen, from groceries to swim suits, pharmacy supplies to snorkeling masks. The town has all types of shops from small local vendors to large businesses; even a Sam’s Club and a Wal-mart. So pack light and buy it for less when you get here. There are several banks and many ATM machines throughout town.


La Tortuga Hotel & Spa is a small hotel, so each of the 51 rooms has personality and charm. Every room has AC, TV, telephone, in-room safe, ceiling fan, coffee machine, and hairdryer. They also provide you with daily beach towels for their beach club.

Standard room, USD 127 (normal rate USD 143) >> view more info

>> view more hotels in Playa del Carmen

Interline news

The Legend Chiang Rai Resort lies along the Mae Kok River, secluded from Chiang Rai Town, yet only a few minutes by car from the city centre. The property has a panoramic view of the near-by hills and mountains. The riverside is rich with large rain trees and lush vegetation. The immediate surroundings are relatively undeveloped, providing a tranquil, natural location ideal for a resort & spa.

Take a walk around our resort, enjoy the views, get a sense of the peaceful setting and surroundings. "Come and spend a few days with us at The Legend Chiang Rai. You'll find great service, always with a warm smile and The Legend is a great "home base" from which to explore Chiang Rai and North Thailand."

Travel Industry rate: 2 400 THB
Normal rate: 3 300 THB
Rate are per room/night, including breakfast

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Airport lounges...

Oh, so far these luxurious airport lounges are for a poor standby traveller.......


Quantas first class lounge in Sydney
We’re talking a food menu put together by fine dining king Neil Perry; a full concierge service; a day spa (yes, day spa) where 1st classers can indulge in facials and massages for free; individual marble lined shower suites stocked with Payot cosmetics and Kevin Murphy hair products; a library stocked with best selling books, magazines, newspapers and board games; and an ‘entertainment zone’ with plasma TVs and Sony play stations. Oh, and if you care to do some work in the midst of all that luxuriating there are fully equipped workstations with internet access.


Schiphol's new Vip-Centre
The new centre contains a separate Royal Lounge for members of the Royal Family, a press centre, a Company Lounge, plus various reception and meeting rooms. The Royal Lounge is an enormous living room with lounge sofas, and Royal Family pictures on the bookshelves. The wall paper in the room is created from 5,500 mini reproductions of the national coat of arms.


This is probably a more familiar site, right?

Latest Interline news

The Aruban Resort & Casino is located off powder white Eagle Beach, rated the 7th best beach worldwide. Beautiful, white, sandy beaches and snorkeling and diving spots surround Aruba with underwater visibility up to 75 feet in some areas.

Completely renovated one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium suites.

Travel Industry rate: USD 105 + taxes
Normal rate: USD 189 + taxes
One bedroom suite

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