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Here's the latest news from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, including UK visitors to Taiwan jump by nearly 30% and Taipei International Travel Fair, 31st October – 3rd November 2008.

Contents:

1. In Motion Asia launches new adventure tours of Taiwan
2. UK visitors to Taiwan jump by nearly 30%
3. Taroko International Marathon, 1st November 2008
4. Taipei International Travel Fair, 31st October – 3rd November 2008

1. In Motion Asia launches new adventure tours of Taiwan

Inbound tour operator, In Motion Asia, has launched a number of new exciting itineraries to Taiwan. The company specialises in off-road adventures throughout the island.

In Motion Asia is offering new mountain biking, road cycling and adventure itineraries along with existing tours of Taiwan. Amongst others, new adventure trips include white water rafting, canyoning, abseiling, mountain biking and river tracing in the East Rift Valley, one of Taiwan’s national scenic areas where traditional indigenous tribes can still be found.

The company has a number of set itineraries and can custom-design trips to suit most interests. Tours include meals, accommodation, transport, guides and mountain permits. International airfares, visas and bike hire charges are not included.

Taiwan encompasses some superb locations for mountain biking with the chance to tour through high altitude single-tracks, historic suspension bridges, stunning vistas, cascading waterfalls, ancient garrison trails, marble walled gorges and lush fields, forests and jungles.

2. UK visitors to Taiwan jump by nearly 30%

Taiwan is continuing to experience an impressive increase in visitors arriving from the UK, with figures for January-August 2008 having risen by 29% to 32,913. This is compared to 25,523 for the same period last year.

Latest monthly arrival figures from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau show that in August 2008, 1,468 UK visitors cited ‘pleasure’ as their motivation for visiting Taiwan – an increase of 65.13% on the same month in 2007.

Overall, between January-August 2008, a total of 12,192 UK residents listed ‘pleasure’ for visiting Taiwan, marking an increase of 82.13% from January-August 2007.

These unprecedented UK visitor arrival figures suggest that Taiwan is continuing to be a hot destination for 2008. In the first quarter of this year, UK visitors to the country rose by almost 40% making the UK the top European inbound market. In October 2008, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau expects the number of visitors to the island to surpass the three million mark for the year.

3. Taroko International Marathon, 1st November 2008

The Taroko International Marathon, said to be the world’s only marathon held at a gorge in a mountainous area, will take place at Taiwan’s scenic Taroko National Park this November.

This annual event draws thousands of long-distance runners from all over the world, offering participants the chance to tour through the winding roads of the majestic marble-walled Taroko Gorge.

Athletes can opt to compete in a full or half distance marathon, or in fun runs of just a few kilometres. During the run, runners will pass lofty mountains, deep canyons that cut off from the main gorge, head-spinning precipices, elegant waterfalls and wild rapids.

The Taroko International Marathon takes place on 1st November 2008. The winners of the full marathon and half marathon will win cash prizes of NT$80,000 (£1,390) and NT$10,000 (£175) respectively.

4. Taipei International Travel Fair, 31st October – 3rd November 2008

Taipei’s annual International Travel Fair will commence at the Taipei World Trade Centre this October and will give more than 60 countries the opportunity to showcase what they have to offer.

The annual travel fair is the largest in Asia and features over 1,000 exhibition booths. Nearly 200,000 people visit it over four days every year.

This year, there will be hundreds of displays from countries all over the world, as well as colourful cultural performances and shows organised by countries exhibiting at the fair. The show offers visitors a vast amount of travel information and the chance to find unbeatable bargains. The show offers visitors a vast amount of travel information and the chance to find unbeatable bargains.

The Taipei International Travel Fair is open to the public and will run from 31st October – 3rd November 2008.

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The classic skit from the Carol Burnett Show covering No Frills Airlines

Click here to go to Video and place comment...

9 minutes in length [URL="http://www.global-travels.net/vids/carol-burnett-show-no-frills-airline/"]
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Japan Airlines (JAL) will make a significant contribution to the search for a viable, sustainable, second-generation biofuel for commercial use by the aviation industry. With the close cooperation of Boeing and Pratt & Whitney, the airline will conduct a demonstration flight to accelerate current research and development into the creation of a second-generation biofuel.

A second-generation biofuel will be blended with jet fuel and tested in one of the four engines of a JAL Boeing 747-300 aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines. The biofuel to be used has not been decided yet. JAL will provide the aircraft and staff for the short approximately 1 hour demonstration flight out of an airport in Japan scheduled for the end of FY2008, the year ending March 31, 2009. The flight will be the first biofuel demonstration by an Asian carrier, and the first using Pratt & Whitney engines.

JAL, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney have specifically opted to use a second-generation biofuel that is exponentially more efficient and sustainable energy than first-generation counterparts. Second-generation biofuels do not compete with natural food or water resources and do not contribute to deforestation practices. First-generation biofuel sources, such as corn and soybeans derivatives, typically require large areas of landmass and are food crops predominately grown for human consumption. Second-generation biofuels avoid the situation in which a food and fuel directly compete for the same natural resources.

The JAL flight demonstration will contribute significantly to current research and development into the creation of a second-generation biofuel tailored to the specifications of existing modern jet aircraft and engines. The goal is to find an alternative fuel that will help reduce the impact of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) generated by the aviation industry, while also reducing the industry’s reliance on traditional petroleum-based fuels.

At an event held to Tokyo to announce the planned biofuel demonstration flight, JAL Group President & CEO Haruka Nishimatsu said, ‘Our participation in the search for a viable second-generation biofuel is a clear signal to everyone of our strong commitment to increasing the environmental sustainability of the JAL Group and the airline industry.’ He added, ‘For more than 15 years, our airline has been implementing a variety of measures designed to reduce and offset the impact our business activities have on the environment. Not only are we endeavouring to reduce our own footprint on the environment, but we are throwing our support and resources behind projects such as this, which will help in the wider battle against climate change and global warming.’

“Supporting Japan Airlines in this biofuel trial makes both economic and environmental sense,” said Boeing Japan President Nicole Piasecki. “Boeing salutes Japan Airlines’ ongoing efforts to demonstrate the highest levels of environmental commitment through innovation and continuous technological improvement. Together with Pratt & Whitney, we have an opportunity to write a new chapter in our relationship, one that will help pioneer new and sustainable biofuel solutions for the good of the entire commercial aviation industry.”

“We are proud to partner with Boeing and our long-time customer Japan Airlines to demonstrate the performance, safety and viability of second generation biofuels as part of our ongoing commitment to the environment,” said Todd Kallman, President, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. “Pratt & Whitney is aggressively researching and testing alternative fuels for the aviation industry in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve engine efficiency and reduce airline operating costs. We look forward to working closely with JAL and Boeing as we continue this research.”

The highest levels of safety will be adhered to throughout the whole biofuel flight demonstration process. Boeing will conduct a preliminary biofuel screening evaluation after which the best performing biofuel will be selected by the end of August 2008. The biofuel will be used in only one of the four engines of the Boeing 747-300 aircraft operated by JAL.

The JAL Group has been conducting a variety of measures that are helping to reduce its environmental footprint. It is targeting a 20% cut in the CO2 emissions per ATK of its fleet by 2010, compared to 1990 levels. It has already achieved nearly 16% reduction since 1990.

Fleet renewal through the introduction of more fuel efficient aircraft has been indispensable to the airline group achieving these CO2 emission cuts. Almost 30% of the aircraft in the JAL fleet have been delivered in the past five years as it has retired 90 older models. The airline still has outstanding orders for more than 80 new aircraft, including the super-advanced Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

All the latest news from Italy: art, culture, folklore, music, opera, sport, transport and much more!

MUSICAL EVENTS

ARENA DI VERONA OPERA FESTIVAL 2008
Verona June 20th – August 31st 2008

Since 1913 the Arena di Verona is the backdrop for the most famous open air opera season starting from June 20th and ending August 31st. This year’s program composed of five operas and forty-nine performances begins with Aida a new production inspired the very first stage design in 1913. An event longed-for by the passionate with a program which blends to the music old and new stands and makes the event and the Arena an event not to miss.

FESTIVAL OF TERME DI CARACALLA
Rome. Terme di Caracalla – July 10th to August 14th 2008

From July 10th to August 14th the Teatro dell’Opera will transfer its stage between the walls of Terme di Caracalla, one of the best kept archeological building in Rome. This magnificent site of Roman remains bestow on this event that have been repeated since 1937, a unique character, not only to the Romans. The 2008 season officially opens on July 10th with Aida, the most awaited appointment in the whole event because of its extraordinary effectiveness with whose setting, sceneries and music melt them selves together.

UMBRIA JAZZ 08
Perugia – July 11th to 20th 2008

The city of Perugia will once again renew its summer appointment for the jazz festival, an event which over time has been brought together thanks to the consent of the public and most importantly not only the presence of international stars but allowing to compose enthusiastic billboard signs. This year the festival will celebrate 35 years, presented once again in some of the most beautiful settings of the street of Perugia, from spontaneous sessions to free concerts in the town squares and concerts in the Arena of Saint Giuliana, Morlacchi and Pavone Theaters and the hall of Cannoniera della Rocca Paolina. This year’s festival features music for all but as well more popular forms of music that have a more immediate appeal for young people and families .

FOLKLORE AND OTHER EVENTS

LA NOTTE ROSA
Emilia Romagna Coast – different locations – July 5th/6th 2008

The Emilia Romagna Riviera celebrates an event comparable to New Year’s Eve, the “Notte Rosa” with restaurants, stores, and nightclubs open till dawn with concerts, performances and events.
This year’s third edition expects the presence of a million and a half of people that will crowd all along the 110 km of coast between Cattolica and Comacchio, more than 1500 streetlights will be illuminated in pink.
Many of the events are organized ad hoc for this occasion.

THE FEAST OF THE REDEEMER
Venice – July 19th/20th 2008

The Redentore (Redeemer) is one of the Venetians' most treasured festivities, and is a tourist attraction thanks to the spectacular firework display in the evening. It falls on the third Sunday in July, when Holy Mass is held in the presence of the Patriarch, followed by a religious procession.
The celebration has ancient roots dating back in the three years between 1575 and 1577 when the city was tormented by a plague. In 1576, the Senate decided that the Doge should announce the vow to erect a church dedicated to the Redentore (Redeemer), in return for help in ending the plague. In 1577 the plague was declared definitively over and it was decided that the city's liberation from the terrible disease should be celebrated on the third Sunday in July and it’s honoured still today. But the special moment of the festivity takes place on Saturday evening prior to the religious event with the magnificent firework display at the lagoon in front of Saint Mark’s Square.

EXHIBITIONS

GOD & GOODS
Passariano (UD) - Villa Manin Center for Contemporary Art
Until September 28th

God & Goods is the exhibition that opens the summer season at the Villa Manin Center for Contemporary Art.
The show aims to present the idea of the sacred and the spiritual through the interpretation of thirty artists, they play with the senses and perception of reality and challenge in some cases the mechanisms of beliefs of the observers.
God and Goods aims to open a dialogue with the topic of religion being it an immense, controversial and unresolved debate but also a concept open to new and various forms of interpretation.
The works deal with the concept of religion from a series of indirect point of views: they can confront its dictates with irreverence, analyze its systems and dynamics or propose, ironically or not, alternative models. An event that brings down the stereotypes, wanting to surpass all imposed limitations.

GOOD VIBRATIONS – VISUAL ARTS AND ROCK MUSIC
Palazzo delle Papesse – Siena – from May 26th to September 24th

Visual arts and Rock music have always represented a winning binominal name starting from the Sixties to today.
This event explores the complex network of relations and reciprocal influences between visual arts and rock music that has characterized much of the artistic research and practice since the Sixties, giving birth to unusual collaborations and an intense phase of experimentation that resounds in the arts of today.
Portraits of Mapplethorpe, clips by David Bowie and Cunningham and operas by Warhol are a few plugs of the beautiful ”mosaics” offered by the event that welcomes a considerable quantity of material divided between posters, documentaries, covers, photographs and frames and much more.

GIUSEPPE SANTOMASO AND THE ABSTRACT OPTION
Fondazione Cini – Venice
Through July 19, 2008

To mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Venetian master Giuseppe Santomaso, the Giorgio Cini Foundation organized a retrospective exhibition of his works.
The exhibition, which represents the most complete showcase of Santomaso's works, also features works by other XX century Italian and European artists such as Afro, Birilli, De Luigi and Minassian.
A large selection of the exhibition centers on the Venetian artist’s graphic works as well as lithographs and rare art editions that Santomaso created or on which he acted as curator.

QUEEN ARSINOE
Musei Capitolini – Rome
Through July 6, 2008

For the first time since the beginning of the XIX century the magnificent bronze head of the Ptolemaic Queen Arsinoe III, leaves the Palazzo Te Municipal Museum in Mantua and moves to the Palazzo dei Conservatori site of the Capitoline Museums for a Roman sojourn.
The head was a gift to Alexander of Egypt by Giuseppe Acerbi, Consul General of Austria, and reached Rome thanks to a cultural exchange between the Roman Municipal Museums and Palazzo Te Municipal Museum in Mantua.
The bronze is particularly important because it represents one of very few original bronze images found in Egypt to have survived since ancient Greek times. The head dates back to the III century and it is preserved in magnificent conditions. Queen Arsinoe III reigned in Egypt between 220 and 204 B.C. and appears to have been a highly energetic and courageous ruler. She and her husband Ptolemy IV are credited for the development and expansion of the library in Alexandria.

CAR TRILOGY. SPEED
Torino
Through August 17, 2008

The “Carlo Biscaretti Di Ruffia” National Car Museum hosts three exhibitions through December 2008, a great event on the history and evolution of the automobile. The most representative cars chosen among the 170 available as well as others on loan from private collections make up the event. The exhibition titled “Velocit�*-Speed” centers on old and contemporary fast cars, record-breaking machines, which raced on the world’s most famous tracks and take visitors on a journey through man’s fascinating attraction to speed.

THE EMBRACE OF VIENNA, KLIMT, SCHIELE AND BELVEDERE MASTERPIECES
Como – Villa Olmo
Through July 20, 2008

Villa Olmo hosts masterpieces from the Belvedere Museum in Vienna in an exhibition that showcases the genesis of XX century art, starting from Baroque, through the Belle Époque and Biedermeier, to end with the Secessionism and early Expressionism.
The exhibit centers on works by artists of Viennese Secessionism and Expressionism, such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.
Among the 80 works on display are 6 oil paintings by Klimt, including “After the rain”, “The Schloss Kammer on the Attersee” and the splendid “Portrait of Johanna Staude”.
The 6 works by Schiele on display are characterized by the physicality and intensity of the human body. The main theme found in the artist’s work is the tragic and melancholic representation of the existential dimension that exudes an air of latent suffering.

continued below

Maurizio Cattelan has been creating startling, disturbing and controversial artworks since the early 1990s. His sculptures, installations and interventions encourage the viewer to experience doubt as a primary response to contemporary life.



At times a joker, Cattelan is known for his dark sense of humour. Novecento, one of his most renowned works, is an unusual still life – a taxidermic horse suspended from the ceiling by leather slings. The horse’s legs are strangely elongated, as if gravity had stretched them downwards. This work makes reference to the 1976 film 1900 (pronounced Novecento in Italian) in which director Bernardo Bertolucci explores Italy’s painful passage to modernity.

As in the film, which presents fascism and communism in opposition, Cattelan expresses a sense of blocked energy. A saddled horse is a means of transportation and mobility; here it is rendered immobile. His work is a eulogy for the end of the great revolutionary impulses that characterised the twentieth century.

Maurizio Cattelan - Born 1960 in Padua, Italy.


:artist::tourist::artist:

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One of South Africa's most famous tourist attractions, the Kruger National Park, is celebrating 110 years of existence by holding several events over the next three weeks within its borders to highlight the park's status as a world leader in conservation policies and management principles.

"We believe that this is definitely something worth celebrating and would ask everyone in this country and everyone that has ever been involved in the park to celebrate this achievement with us," said Kruger National Park communications head William Mabasa in a statement last week.

Most historians and researchers agree that the Kruger National Park has its roots in the establishment of the Sabie Game Reserve in 1898, when the area still fell under the administration of the Transvaal Boer Republic.

Historians thus recognise the birth year of Kruger as 1898, but in spite of numerous attempts at finding an exact date amongst the old Transvaal Volksraad (parliament) records, none could be found, so it was decided to use the date that the National Parks Act was passed in 1926 - the 31st of May - as the actual birth date.

Park management believe the celebration will bring together staff members, other people who work in the park, including those working on concessions or for government departments, the communities living around the park and the visitors who have supported the park since the first tourists came to the park in the 1920s.
Celebrating with the community

Regional events in Phalaborwa on 26 May, Satara on 28 May and Skukuza on 30 May, with will give communities living in close proximity to these areas to celebrate together with park staff and other dignitaries.

Then, on Saturday, 31 May, the South African Mint will officially launch the 2008 set of Krugerrand gold coins. Due to the nature of the event, it will only be open to invited guests, though the SA Mint will be giving out chocolate coins and brochures describing the new gold coins to as many people as possible who enter the park on the day.

The main function of the event will be held on Saturday, 14 of June at the Skukuza Soccer Field, where Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will deliver a keynote address.

On the same day, My Acre of Africa, a unique initiative to raise funds for the preservation of southern Africa's wildlife and wild lands, will be relaunched.

"We have engaged with various radio stations and local newspapers and I would encourage everyone to listen to those radio stations and read those newspapers as more details will be made available through them, including details of the exciting competitions we have planned," said Mabasa.

:tourist:

This year sees the Norwegian town of Stavanger awarded the title of European Capital of Culture. More than a thousand celebrations throughout the year are set to provide the most innovative, thrilling and inspiring cultural journey ever undertaken in Norway.

Nature and culture are central elements throughout the year’s festivities. Landscape is also a key element and extraordinary things are expected as international and national artists cross paths to illustrate nature like never before. One of the big projects just started is called ‘On the Edge’.

This is an arts and culture initiative revolving around lighthouses along the coast of Rogaland. Renowned artists and architects from all over the world will be commissioned to produce projects or installations for selected lighthouses as artists in residence.

Other highlights include theatre, dance, photography, film and food festivals all taking place in Stavanger and its surrounding regions.

With the city thrust into the spotlight during its European Capital of Culture year, there has never been a better time to visit. Fly direct from London Heathrow with SAS. Fares start from £70 one way including taxes.

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