NEW EVA AIR ROUTE
EVA Air has announced a new route from Singapore to Chicago via Taipei. It will start from Nov 2.
The airline flies from Singapore to Taipei daily. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, travellers can connect to Chicago. With a transfer of 1 hour and 40 minutes at Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport, the flight from Singapore to Chicago will take 20 hours and 30 minutes.
To celebrate the launch, the airline is offering a promotional fare that starts from $1,488, valid for travel until June 30 next year. It is also applicable to the airline's Hello Kitty flights between Singapore and Taipei.
EVA Air's North American destinations include Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. The airline will increase its existing service to New York to two trips a day from Oct 3, and will reschedule its three evening flights between Taipei and Los Angeles each day to offer morning, afternoon and night flights from Aug 4.
For more information, go to www.evaair.com
NEW LANGHAM HOTEL
Hong Kong-based Langham Hospitality Group has opened its 20th hotel, The Langham, Haikou, in the Chinese island province of Hainan.
Located in the Guomao district in the heart of Haikou, which is Hainan's capital city, the hotel has 249 rooms and suites offering views of the city or the South China Sea.
It is the eighth Langham group hotel in China. The group has hotels in 24 destinations, including London, New York, Shanghai, and Sydney.
For more information, go to www.langhamhotels.com/haikou
TRAVEL DEALS FOR ITALY
Travel agency Trafalgar is offering discounts of US$800 (S$1,100) a couple on seven of its best-selling Italian itineraries in September.
They include a nine-day Rome and Tuscan highlights tour from US$1,750 (usual price from US$2,150); a 10-day tour in Southern Italy and Sicily from US$1,925 (usual price from US$2,325); and the 17-day Grand Italian Experience from US$3,525 (usual price US$3,925).
All prices are a person, twin share, and bookings must be completed by June 14. Singapore residents with HSBC credit cards can redeem a complimentary 66cm Delsey luggage bag when they charge a minimum of $3,300 to their credit cards.
For more information, go to www.trafalgar.com/asia or call Trafalgar's hotline at 6922-5950.
FIRST HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS IN MALAYSIA
InterContinental Hotels Group opened Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Malaysia, last Wednesday.
Located along Jalan Raja Chulan, the 383-room hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a free Express Start breakfast or Grab & Go option, power showers with a three-function massage showerhead and a 24-hour fitness room.
To celebrate the opening, guests can book a stay at an advance purchase rate starting from RM160++ (S$53) a night, with an additional 5 per cent off for IHG Rewards Club members.
For more information, go to www.holidayinnexpress.com
COCKTAILS AT CHANGI AIRPORT
The DFS Cocktail Festival is on till June 30 at the DFS Wines & Spirits Duplex in Changi Airport Terminal 3.
Mr Philip Bischoff, bar manager at Regent Singapore's Manhattan bar, is the guest bartender on Friday and Saturday and will serve his bespoke DFS cocktail, the Sin City Gimlet. Other guest bartenders are Mr Adam "Eddy" Bursik from The Library in Keong Saik Road (June 17 and 18) and Mr Byron Tan from Smoke & Mirrors at the National Gallery (June 24 and 25).
Their specially concocted complimentary cocktails are inspired by local dishes and ingredients, such as kaya, chicken rice and cheng tng. Those who sample the drinks will receive recipe cards to recreate the drinks themselves.
Flair performances will take place every Friday and Saturday from 5.30 to 7.30pm. For more information, go to www.dfs.com/en/airport-singapore/our-stores/events-and-promotions/changi-cocktail-festival.
Lydia Vasko
