BRITISH AIRWAYS SALE
UOB credit and debit card holders who are hoping to get away this Christmas can enjoy promotional fares with British Airways.
From now until Nov 16 - or until the promotional air tickets are sold out - they can book discounted tickets to more than 185 destinations.
Return economy class fares start at$668 to Sydney and from $1,105 to destinations in Europe, including London ($1,198), Reykjavik ($1,115), Barcelona ($1,117) and Rome ($1,136).
British Airways is also offering bargain fares to destinations in the Americas, such as New York ($1,448), Toronto ($1,688) and Rio de Janeiro ($1,988)
The fares are inclusive of taxes and surcharges and valid for departures from now until June 30 next year, with returns to Singapore within one year from the date of departure.
To book and for more information, go to ba.com/uob.
NEW HOTEL TO OPEN IN HELSINKI
A showcase of world-class art and design, Hotel St. George is set to open in Helsinki in the first quarter of next year.
It is located in a landmarked building that is surrounded by art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and cafes, and was once home to the Finnish Literature Society.
The 10,000 sq m property has been completely refurbished and will be filled with art curated for each of the 148 rooms and five suites.
A hand-constructed bamboo and white silk dragon kite by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, which was part of the "Er Xi, Air de Jeu" installation at Le Bon Marche last year, will hang in the lobby; and light will filter through a 6m-long brass bird sculpture by Finnish artist Pekka Jylha in the winter garden.
The hotel will also house a wine room, poetry room and attic studios with views over the rooftops of Helsinki. For more information, go to www.stgeorgehelsinki.com.
WORLD'S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP
Royal Caribbean International's Symphony of the Seas will claim the title of the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in April next year.
The vessel will have a guest capacity of 5,500, 16 guest decks, 2,774 staterooms, 20 restaurants and state-of-the-art entertainment facilities across seven "neighbourhoods".
For instance, the open-air Central Park will have more than 12,000 tropical plants, walking paths and speciality restaurants, while Entertainment Place is a contemporary nightclub district anchored by Casino Royale, the largest casino at sea.
Rooms include the two-level Ultimate Family Suite, which has a slide from the kids' bedroom down to the living room below.
The ship's inaugural season kicks off in Europe before moving to its home port in Miami. For more information, go to www.royalcaribbean.com/symphony-of-the-seas.
Lydia Vasko
