Larnaca, Cyprus

Cyprus has been on the tourist trail for 120 centuries: despite its island status, it has been periodically visited by hunter-gatherers since 10,000 BCE and settled with village communities since 8,200 BCE.

Qatar Airways to fly Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Scandinavia

Paris, FRANCE – Qatar Airways has announced an expansion of its Boeing 787 services to Europe with the new state-of-the-art aircraft being deployed on three Scandinavian routes.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a city of two halves, bisected by the Bosporus Strait which links the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea. The channel not only delineates the city, but it marks the border between Europe and Asia, both physically and culturally.

Hamburg, Germany

Despite its location - 109 km inland on the River Elbe – Hamburg is one of the largest sea ports in Europe. The deep River Elbe allows large ocean vessels to reach the inland harbour, and has ensured Hamburg’s wealthy mercantile status throughout the ages.

Qatar Airways orders Boeing 777s at Paris Air Show

Paris Air Show, FRANCE – Qatar Airways today announced an order for nine Boeing 777 passenger aircraft on the opening day of the Paris Air Show. The additional aircraft will help the airline open up new routes and add capacity to existing markets in its rapidly-growing network.

Glasgow, United Kingdom

“Let Glasgow Flourish” declares the motto on Glasgow’s 1866 Coat of Arms – and for a century, it did. Located on the banks of the deep River Clyde, and with an almost-clear path to America, Glasgow was the perfect venue for shipbuilding during the Industrial Revolution. This led Glasgow to be dubbed the "Second City of the British Empire" for much of the Victorian and Edwardian era.

Geneva, Switzerland

Your flight from Dubai to Geneva will take you to the heart of a truly global city. As both a financial centre and the headquarters of a number of the United Nations agencies, Geneva is at the forefront of many important legislative movements for countries around the world.

Düsseldorf, Germany

If anticipating Düsseldorf makes you turn cartwheels, you’re not alone: this custom is credited to the children of Düsseldorf who turned ‘flips’ after learning their city had won the 13th century Battle of Worringen.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

The UK’s second city is often referred to as the ‘city of a thousand trades’, due to the integral part it played during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. In fact, as early as the 1500s the city was known for its foundries and tanneries.

Dublin, Ireland

Starting as a Viking settlement centuries ago, Dublin is an enchanting destination for an urban getaway, blending ancient and modern with natural beauty, and a profound literary tradition. It also makes a popular business hub for many large multinational companies.

Barcelona, Spain

One of the city’s most famous icons is Spanish Catalan architect Anton Gaudi, whose distinctively stylised buildings and public spaces have come to define the bohemian spirit of Barcelona, some becoming landmarks and protected sites, like the iconic Park Güell.

Madrid, Spain

After your Madrid flight, a great place to start your visit is the Plaza Mayor, one of the city’s oldest squares. Since the 15th century it’s hosted bullfights, festivals and official ceremonies. Today it offers plenty of cafés, small fairs and exhibits, and the city’s main tourist office.

London, England

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford,” said English intellectual Samuel Johnson more than 200 years ago, in possibly the most famous quote about what was, for centuries, the world’s most famous city.

Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt am Main is the financial hub of Germany and straddles the Main River in the south western state of Hesse. Frankfurt is second only to Paris when it comes to density of European skyscrapers, a fact which no doubt contributes to the city’s nickname, Manhattan.

Athens, Greece

Talk to the people of Athens and you’ll hear one phrase repeated again and again: Athens is not what it used to be. And they’re right; it’s better.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Called “the Venice of the North” thanks to its charming network of canals, Amsterdam is a destination rich in culture and heritage.

State of Qatar’s Hamad International Airport unveils passenger facilities available at concourse b o

The soft opening of Hamad International Airport (HIA) on 1st April 2013 will see 10 foreign airlines operating out of Concourse B and an array of modern facilities for passengers to enjoy.

The blues are back in Trinco

Since the lost whales of Trinco were rediscovered in 2010, by a team of naturalists at ‘Cinnamon Nature Trails', numerous sightings of blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins have taken place making the season up in the East a rewarding experience.

98 Acre Resort heaven in the hills

‘Sun and sand' is not a ‘must' for hot tourist destinations any more in Sri Lanka. Though Hikkaduwa, Arugam Bay, Unwatuna or Negombo is traditionally identified as hot spots of beach tourism, the latest addition is Ella in the midst of the misty hills.

Hillcot bungalow - retreat in little England

EAP Hotels have embarked on the burgeoning hospitality industry in Sri Lanka with elaborate plans for expansion and its latest venture was opening up a private property in Nuwara Eliya into a holiday bungalow.

Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa receives four-star certification

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse recently awarded Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa with a fourstar certification.

Emirates doubles A380 capacity to New York, Paris

Emirates has doubled its A380 capacity to New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Paris’ Charles De Gaulle airports, with a twice daily A380 service from Dubai now operating into both cities.

Refurbished Subash Hotel, Jaffna reopened

Subash Hotel, Jaffna, comprising 36 rooms was the main hotel in Jaffna, where many visitors to Jaffna stayed, including VIPs. It had been requisitioned by the armed forces during the war and handed back to the family owners.

Lãya Safari opens in Yala

The Sri Lanka Army-owned newest holiday resort in the deep southern wild, ‘Lãya Safari’ at Palatupana, Yala bordering the Yala National Sanctuary was declared open by Speaker of the Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa with the presence of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Adventure season at the Earl’s Regency

Celebrating thirteen years of excellence, Kandy’s popular five star attraction Earl’s Regency Hotel is now ready with the festive season package to celebrate this Christmas and anniversary together.

Heritance Ahungalla clinches Gold at Green Awards

Heritance Hotels was once again in the spotlight when Heritance Ahungalla was presented with the Gold Award at the National Green Awards concluded recently at the BMICH.

Emirates wins Airline of the Year Award

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has been awarded the prestigious Centre for Aviation (CAPA) Airline of the Year 2012 Award for the third time.

Emirates to fly double daily to Mauritius

Emirates, one of the fastest growing international airlines, has announced the addition of three frequencies to its present 11-weekly flights to Mauritius. The service to the paradise island will be double daily beginning December 2, 2012.

Cathay Pacific introduces ‘Getaway Surprise to China’

Witness the marvels of one of the world’s oldest civilizations as Cathay Pacific Airways brings travellers an exciting ‘Getaway Surprise to China’.

Ranna212 goes green with Switch Asia

Ranna212 is now a member of Switch Asia through the organisation’s ‘Greening Sri Lanka Hotels’ initiative toward sustainable tourism practices.