Under the cherry blossoms tree

Description: Under the cherry blossoms tree
Location: Shukugawa-river park, Nishinomiya City, Japan
Credit: 'shotam'
Source

China halt multiple entry visas until further notice

According to Singapore travel agents, China stopped issuing multi-entry visas and one-day travel visas from Hong Kong until further notice. There is also news of considerably slower visa processing times.

Finnish student fined and banned after vandalizing Easter Island statue

A Finnish tourist, who vandalized a Moai statue on Easter Island last month, was sentenced by Chilean court with €10,000 fine, banned from entering the island for three years and also compelled to make a public apology.

According to Finish newspapers, this is the highest fine that the local Chilean court has ever imposed for a similar offense.

"Sex and the City" perfect days

"Sex and the City" fans now have a chance to live life of their favourite character for four days.

For a cool $24,000, a New York based travel agency offers "Sex and the City" tours, filled with chauffeured trips to chic department store Saks Inc and Barneys New York, dinning experience in famed restaurants including Balthazar and Pastis, and clubbing at Bungalow 8 and other exclusive nightclubs.

The experience varies depending on a character; Charlotte’s fans will take a trip to jeweler Tiffany & Co and a tour of art galleries, while Samantha’s devotees will shop on Madison Avenue and visit a high-end sex shop.

The same travel company plans future trips based on films including the Lord of The Rings including a trip to New Zealand, where it was filmed.

Tsukiji Market restricts tourist access

Anyone visiting Tokyo has to visit Tsukiji Market (築地市場, Tsukiji shijō) – the largest fish and seafood market in the world and its world famous tuna auction.

So far tourists could roam the Tsukiji Market freely. Unfortunately, from 1st April tourists will have restricted access due to numerous complaints from traders. From now on Tsukiji Market visitors will be able only to watch the tuna auctions from a designated area. The entry times are also being restricted from 05.00am to 06.15am.

Metropolitan Opera to transmit La Boheme to Princess ships at sea

In an industry exclusive event, Princess ships will become the first cruise vessels ever to broadcast a live performance from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The special The Met: Live on the High Seas presentation of Puccini's La Boheme will be held on Saturday, April 5 as part of the Met's series of eight opera performances that are transmitted live via satellite to movie theaters around the world.

This unique experience will be offered across Princess' 16-ship fleet. On vessels equipped with Movies Under the Stars, passengers can enjoy a unique "Opera Under the Stars" event, as they take in the production on the giant poolside LED screens. Other vessels will show the broadcast in the Princess Theater. Opera lovers and newcomers alike can enjoy this famous love story while sailing in locations such as Mexico, the Caribbean, or Hawaii, as well as exotic locations such as Cape Horn and Egypt.

"It's quite unusual to be able to sit by a pool in the Caribbean and watch a world-class opera live from New York," said Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president. "We're very excited to be breaking new ground with this first-ever live Metropolitan Opera broadcast at sea. It's a rare opportunity to present our passengers with such an enriching cultural experience included in their cruise."

No Eiffel Tower flower power

It seems that Eiffel Tower will not get its makeover.

After reports about Serero Architects winning the bid to temporarily redesign the Eiffel Tower’s viewing platform, The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel said that it had never solicited a redesign and that it envisaged no changes to the tower’s appearance.

David Serero, principal of Serero Architects, now says that his firm’s proposal was merely a spontaneous design. I was neither in response to a design competition nor a project contracted by the tower's management; the architectural firm had merely put pictures of the proposed project on its website and the media jumped all over it, assuming it was a fixed deal.

Recourse

Paris bargains - free museum admissions

Until June 30th 2008, some of the Paris best museums will be admission free.

• Musée Guimet - National Museum of Asian Art
• Musée Cluny - National Museum of the Middle Ages
• Musée des Antiquités Nationales de Saint-Germain-en-Laye - National Museum of Archeology
• Musée National de la Renaissance d'Ecouen - Everything from Renaissance sculpture and paintings to furniture
• Musée des Arts et Metiers - Houses the collection of the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts, which was founded to preserve scientific instruments and inventions
• Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace - National Museum of Air and Space

Also, four other famous Paris museums are opening their doors free to students aged 18-25, with one night a week;

• Centre Pompidou - Wednesday nights
• Musée d'Orsay Thursday nights
• Louvre Friday nights
• Musee du Quai Branly Saturday nights

Can I have ...

Description: Can I have...
Location: Vietnam
Credit: 'oooo'
Source

KLM pilot misses new Hyderabad airport

One would thing that all that state of the art equipment on board of airplanes should make it impossible for pilot to miss the arrival port, but then one would be mistaken.

In a slip-up barely hours after the Shamshabad airport opened for business, a KLM flight from Amsterdam, which was supposed to land at Hyderabad, skipped the airport and flew across the country — first to Delhi, and then to Mumbai.

Apparently, the pilot knew nothing about the new airport and was flying towards Begumpet only to be told that the facility had been shut. He was directed to Shamshabad, to which the pilot asked the air traffic control: "Shamshabad? What’s that?" The pilot then flew to Delhi, from where, after being refused permission to land, he took the plane to Mumbai.

Next time, give a guy GPS system, I heard TomTom is good.

Eiffel flower – Eiffel Tower decoration for its 120th anniversary

Next year Eiffel Tower will celebrate its 120th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion Eiffel Tower will have a bit of a makeover.

Serero Architects of Paris have won the open competition to redesign the structure's public viewing platform and reception areas. The winning design will double the capacity of the public viewing area and does not require any modification of the existing structure.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Société d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel explained that the plan to restructure the top of the tower aims to increase the quality of access. Average waiting times for the tower's elevators currently run at more than an hour at peak times.

Source and pictures: TrendHunter

Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel

The first women-only hotel opened this Wednesday in Riyadh, the capitol of Saudi Arabia.

"Inside this physical structure, we are all women. We even have bell-women. We are women-owned, women-managed and women-run, from our IT engineer to our electrical engineer," says Executive Director Lorraine Coutinho.

"This is meeting a very big demand. There are women's hotels all over the world, from Berlin to the United States to everywhere," she said.

According to Luthan Hotel & Spa website:

Luthan means “escape”, at the spa we create a world that offers you refuge from the pressures of daily life.

Luthan has 25 luxurious individually designed suites and bedrooms for those who wish to extend their day with a weekend stay at this privately owned Boutique Hotel.The rooms are an extension of the spa where treatments can be carried out en suite on request.

A wide choice of leisure activities is available for all guests to enjoy. Guests to the Luthan Hotel can also attend the regular programme of excercise classes,where a varying choice from Aerobics to Yoga are available.

From the moment you step in our doors your senses will be awakened. A spa treatment which is uniquely yours, that will restore your peace of mind. Our first consideration is your personal comfort and relaxation. This reassurance never leaves us which is why a hands on treatment is so overpowering to the body.

At Luthan we cater to all your senses, the perfect urban retreat.

Why you should learn the foreign languages...

Description: Orange Stall
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Credit: Dan Harris
Source

The most luxurious train in the world - Beijing to Lhasa

China is launching "the most luxurious train in the world" to Tibet's capital, Lhasa on September 1.

The Tangula Express will run regular trips from Beijing to Lhasa, traversing the world's highest railway through the spectacular scenery of Tibet.

"The interior of the train will be decorated according to the standards of a five-star hotel, making it the most luxurious train in the world," said Zhu Mingrui, general manager of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation.

"Such a train can only seat 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price(2,000 Yuan - £180) and also much more than an airline ticket," he said.

Each of three trains will have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car will have four 10-square-metre suites featuring a double bed, a living room and bathing facilities to accommodate its guest during this 5 days long journey.

Although Chinese authorities present this 1142-km railway as an important means in modernising and developing Tibet, critics warn against flooding Tibet with Chinese Han majority, which may lead to destruction of the local culture and acceleration of environmental degradation of the region

Terror tourism - Law Enforcement trip to Israel

Not a lot of things can really stunt me, but when I read about “terror tourism” I just felt… weird. Who in the right mind would offer tours like these and who would actually take a part in them?

The latest tour is themed “Law Enforcement trip to Israel”. It is all inclusive bus tour through the Holy Land, with exclusive access to Shin Bet, Mossad, military bases and more. The itinerary promises "observation of a security trial of Hamas terrorists" and briefings on "the realities of Israel's policy of targeted killings".

"We started organizing this [terror tours] a few years ago when tourism dropped off," said Avi Leitner, a lawyer with Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center, an Israeli organization that sues terrorist organizations and countries on behalf of victims of terror attacks.

The “Law Enforcement trip to Israel” tour is different to previous trips organized by Shurat HaDin. In the past the terror tours were aimed at the regular tourist, featuring evening cruises, cookouts, and "luxurious bus transportation. The “Law Enforcement trip to Israel” tour is organized with a American homeland-security firm and is aimed primarily at law enforcement, therefore groups are dominated by police officers, homeland-security officers and bounty hunters.

So here you go, Israel has its own theme park… the terror one.

Resource

Philippines barres Dutch tourist for being rude.

The Dutch woman, Jenifer Sharmila Kalka, 42 has been barred by Philippine authorities from entering the country after she allegedly insulted the country's residents.

According to the officials at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Ms Kafka refused to answer standard set of questions from immigration and became abusive when asked to fill in a disembarkation form.

"You Filipinos are effing lazy," she allegedly said. "That is why you are poor."

The rude tourist was then put on the next available flight to her port of origin.

"A foreign tourist who exhibits arrogance and rude behavior upon his arrival in the Philippines should be turned back right away for he does not deserve the hospitality of our country and people," he Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

What is a small favour between the friends?

Jackie Chan may be soon promoting Australia to Chinese tourist as a favour to his long time buddy Kevin Rudd – Australia Prime Minister.

"I've known Kevin for a few years," Chan said yesterday. "Last night before he left, I said whenever he calls, I'll be there." According to Chan they discussed the environment, Chinese-Australian relations and "some secret I cannot say yet".

Bargain holidays in Bulgaria

According to new holiday survey, Bulgaria offers Britons the best bargains, with pint of lager for just 49p, Big Mac for £1 and three-course meal for £7.

Sun, golden sand beaches and one of the friendliest people on Earth are free.

Perfect customer service

Description: Irani cafe in Hyderabad, India
Location: Hyderabad, India
Credit: Rajat Gupta
Source

Dubai looks into the future with Rem Koolhaas concept

Dubai is leading the world in architectural cutting edge design and technology. They already have three artificial island developments, two palm shaped and one made of small islets creating archipelago formed as the continents of the world. It seems Dubai will push boundaries even further.

12 years ago the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas published ‘The Generic City’ essay in which he envisioned a fractal metropolis of repeatedly shaped buildings. The ‘generic city’ has no architecture as such, it does not posses its own history, except the one of the region and is not planned. It just emerges. Therefore, in the conclusion; everyone there is a tourist and hotels offer everything one may need – there is no reason to leave.

And now, Rem Koolhaas’ vision may be realised in the development of the 1.5-billion-square-foot Waterfront City in Dubai. The island will form perfect square to highlight its isolation. The tallest skyscrapers will be built along the southern edge to shield the ‘city’ from the blazing sun. All these sharp edges will be balanced by the gigantic sphere placed at the water’s edge.

The whole concept is very practical and logical. Not a bad response to ‘Bilbao syndrome’, not bad at all.

Know your Cairngorms from your Argyll

The VisitScotland website visitors were puzzled when trying to figure out the mountain showed on the photograph in the Perfect Day promotional competition. The photograph was labelled Aviemore and the Cairngorms and showed trees outlined by a mist with snowy peaks towering above them. As it turned out, the snap was taken at Loch Tulla, just outside Bridge of Orchy, not in the Cairngorms.

Dr Watson, Cairngorm ecology expert, said: "It just obviously wasn't in the Cairngorms. I know these hills very well, I've been going there since I was a boy and I wrote the Scottish Mountaineering Club's district guide to the Cairngorms. It definitely wasn't the Cairngorms.

"Anyone can make a mistake but it's surprising that a body like that would not find it easy to find good photographs of the Cairngorms."

VisitScotland described the gaffe as an "honest mistake", caused by agency provided the image and is now looking to improve their process of image selection.

Resource: BBC News

Dogs in fight with bedbugs

Dogs are the latest secret weapon in fight with bedbugs. Radar the beagle and Taz the Australian kelpie are part of a crack team of sniffer dogs sweeping apartments and hotel rooms across New York to combat bedbugs.

"We are inundated with requests from hotels and apartment owners," said Carl Massicott, the mastermind behind Advanced K9 Detectives. "A dog's nose is cutting-edge technology."

Both dogs were rescued from shelters and went through police dogs’ style training. They are thorough and efficient and able to check the room in less than two minutes.

As the old saying goes – dog is a man’s best friend.

Resource: NY Daily News

Your weight in gold, so get fit

The Bioferienhotel Mandler's Landhaus hotel in Austrian Alps has quite a new idea about their pricing system – it charges per pound of flesh – literally. The rates at this all organic food hotel are determinated on arrival, when hotel guests are "weighted-in" at reception; the skinnier you are, the smaller a rate.

“It is not only encouraging health and weight awareness, it also stimulates people to do more fitness training,” a hotel spokesman said.

Source: Times Online

Local customs – Italy

Private to stay private as Italy's Court of Appeal outlawed men from scratching their crotches in public. Superstitious Italian men often hold or touch their privates for good luck when they see a hearse or to ward off bad luck - the equivalent of touching wood in Britain.

Oopsa-Fiji

It seems Mr Brown is in trouble over the Fiji campaign. Apparently, someone forgot to inform Mr Brown that Fiji is ruled by a Military Dictatorship. Participation of the Prime Minister in a commercial advertising looks silly enough, but for a democratic leader to endorse military regime is just plain nonsense!

According to Downing Street, it is all a misunderstanding and the artwork was not cleared at the correct level. One has to wonder though, what would be appropriate artwork to highlight "military junta"?

Unsurprisingly, the Fiji Visitors Bureau is very happy over the fantastic media exposure and says the bookings are on the increase.

Worlds of Discovery - new gem in The Palm Jebel Ali 'crown'

SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove join forces to create the Worlds of Discovery on The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai. Worlds of Discovery will occupy a section of The Palm Jebel Ali known as “the Crown,” which will resemble a giant killer whale when reclamation work is complete.

“Dubai has become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, and a key part of the strategy has been attracting world-class entertainment brands to the emirate. We have already concluded partnerships with major brands such as Trump, Cirque du Soleil, and Atlantis, and the partnership with BEC is a further example of Dubai’s growth as a city of global prominence,” O’Donnell said. “We are extremely honored that The Palm Jebel Ali will become home to the first Worlds of Discovery theme parks outside of the U.S., which is not only a major coup for Nakheel, but for the whole of Dubai.”

In addition to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, plans call for the construction of a Discovery Cove similar to the park adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando in Central Florida. Discovery Cove in Orlando is an all-inclusive, reservations only park that features a variety of animal interactions and resort experiences, most notably swimming with bottlenose dolphins, rays and exotic fish.

Preliminary design work and site planning is underway, with the first phase expected to open in 2012.

It's Same Difference time!

‘Potentially the most annoying people you've ever met’ aka Same Difference will entertain Butlins’ visitors in Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis. Same Difference will be performing between 24th March and 13th April and overall give five shows.

Fellow X Factor contestant Chico will also be performing at Butlins between February and June, when he will host 28 shows with Ben Mills, Eton Road, Robert and Ashley as guest stars.
source: Butlins

The ugliest hotel 5 - Bad Blumau , Austria

Straight from the Gaudi - Klimt nightmare comes out my next contender to the honourable name of the ugliest hotel in the world.

The designer spa Rogner Bad Blumau Hotel near Graz in Austria was designed by Austrian sculptor and painter Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who is famous for calling straight lines “the devil’s tools”.

The hotel claims to be the world's largest habitable work of art and offers 290 rooms, some underground in few differently themed areas. The spa is at the centre of the complex and provides a variety of saunas and health facilities and offers a number of wellness programmes. The hotel is also home to Europe's leading holistic health centre.

According to the hotel’s philosophy ‘The absence of kitsch makes our life unbearable, you can’t do without romance.’ Can someone explain to me how kitsch is related to romance?

Leave that monument alone!

A New Zealand tourist was charged with minor hooliganism as he paraded in his underpants and made rude gestures while posing for pictures in front of the Freedom Monument - Latvia’s sacred landmark as it is regarded to be a symbol of their nationhood.

It is not the first time, the foreign tourists made headlines for desecration of this seventy two year old landmark of Riga. In November 2006, a British tourist was fined the largest penalty of 810 lats (1,676 dollars) for urinating on the monument while his mates took pictures. In July 2007, another Brit was fined 50 lats for urinating at the monument while intoxicated.

Those incidents forced the British embassy to launch a public awareness campaign for Britons planning to visit Latvia, advising them on accepted code of behavior in the region.

To err is human, to ‘loath’ is Parisian.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, Paris springs to mind as a perfect romantic destination, but maybe you should think twice.

According to the newest Teletext survey, over a third of Britons picked Paris as the place they would most likely to argue, due to "grey" and "difficult to navigate" city and brusque restaurant service. Marrakesh came second and Amsterdam third as lovers squabbled over allure of soft drugs and red light district.

The same survey reveled that one in 10 Britons ends a relationship with their partner while on holiday. On the other hand, one in four proposes to their loved one on a romantic city break.

Barcelona, Florence, Paris, Prague and Madrid were rated as the top cities for romantic escape.

So Victor Hugo was almost right, when he said ‘To err is human, to loaf is Parisian’. It had to be his French accent, I think.

The ugliest hotel 4 - Idaho, U.S.

After a glorious weekend I have another nominee for the quest to find the ugliest hotel in the world.

Welcome to the Dog Bark Park Inn in Idaho, U.S. Established in 1997, it boasts to be a home to the biggest beagle in the world; Toby, a 12-foot tall beagle statue and Sweet Willy, the bed & breakfast guesthouse.

The Dog Bark Park Inn ‘s guests enter the body of the beagle from a private second story deck. Inside, they will find twenty-six carved dogs on the queen headboard, a loft room in the dog’s head, an alcove in the muzzle and dog-shaped cookies on the pillow.

Even if one can get over this barking mad idea, honestly… it is not pretty, is it?

Green Map – a way of eco-traveller

‘Think Global, Map Local’ it is a motto of U.S. based non-profit cooperative the Green Map, promoting eco friendly living through mapmaking. The Green Map congregates mapmakers around the world who chart green living, ecological, social and cultural resources and prepare practical guides for residents and tourists.

Whether you are searching for cycling routs in Tokyo, organic produce in Bristol or best walks in Wellington New Zealand, the Green Map will help you. At the moment site boast over 300 maps and although not all of them are published it certainly is a must stop for any eco-traveller.

Buy your Space ticket on the High Street

Tickets for a 2 hours Space journey on board the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo will be available on the High Street. About 45 travel agents in U.S and 100 worldwide are getting their certifications.

The commercial flights should begin in 2010 from the Spaceport America in New Mexico. Current ticket price is around £100,000. Personally, I am waiting till they open route 'Newcastle to Venus'! In the meantime this is how Virgin Galactic portrays what flying into Space on board SS2 will be like.

Travelling on a shoestring, Monolo's shoe that is.

Ever wonder if luxury hotels offer bargains? It seems they do, well kind of. The Business Week has compiled a list of the cheapest rooms in the priciest hotels.

1. Four Seasons, New York
Most expensive: $30,000 *
Cheapest: $755

The architects designed the Tower to set back as it gently cascades down to the 90 foot street wall of East 57th Street. The 367-room hotel has a variety of guestrooms from the one-bedroom suites to the most luxurious accommodations, which is the 4,000-square-foot, two bedroom presidential suite, which occupies the entire top floor of the hotel. This Presidential Suite has 14 foot coffered ceilings, a formal dining room for entertaining, and bathrooms that have saunas and steam rooms.

2. Ritz-Carlton , Tokyo
Most expensive: $18,773
Cheapest: $625

The Ritz-Carlton occupies the top nine floors of the 53-story Midtown Tower, the tallest building in Tokyo, and provides stunning views of the city. Opened in March, 2007, the high point of Frank Nicholson's dramatic classic design is the magnificent 81-meter-high sky lobby on the 45th floor.

3. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Moscow
Most expensive: $17,555
Cheapest: $1,370

The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow lies at the edge of the famed Red Square - site of countless coronations, conflicts and celebrations Featuring the most spacious guest room in Moscow, it is also home to three-star Michelin chef Heinz Winkler's new venture, Jeroboam.

4. Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai
Most expensive: $14,974
Cheapest: $2,314

This all-suite hotel reflects the finest that the world has to offer. A chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers will make sure you will have luxurious and unforgettable stay.


5. Le Bristol, Paris
Most expensive: $12,055
Cheapest: $951

Hotel Le Bristol Paris is situated in the prestigious Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Considered by many to be the most elegant, refined, and quietly dignified hotel in the world. Filled with soft hues, refined woodwork and sumptuous fabrics, they all feature a separate entrance hall and generous marble bathrooms. Raphael Courant, two Michelin stars Restaurant Manager, welcomes guests every day for lunch and dinner.

6. Claridge's Hotel, London
Most expensive: $10,642
Cheapest: $939

The art deco jewel of Mayfair, the home to visiting royalties oozing of style and grandeur. Allegedly, in 1947, just before the wedding of then Princess Elizabeth, a harassed diplomat telephoned Claridge's and asked to speak to the King. "Certainly, sir," was the response. "Which one?"

7.Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
Most expensive: $5,938
Cheapest: $283

With memorable views of the Bund and the Huangpu River, the award-winning Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai is the city’s preeminent luxury hotel, offering warm and attentive Shangri-La service and world-class dining. The recently opened Grand Tower contains 375 luxurious rooms and suites, with the Premier rooms, at 54 square meters, being the largest in Shanghai and offering panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of the historic Bund.

8.Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Most expensive: $5,209
Cheapest: $830

Declared a National Monument in 1987, the hotel has grown from strength to strength. It was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. Raffles Singapore Hotel offers hotel guests an experience that embodies absolute comfort and old world charm.


9. Island Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong
Most expensive: $4,103
Cheapest: $339

Known locally as "Island Shang"—because there is another Shangri-La on Kowloon—this elliptically shaped building has become a Hong Kong icon. Located in the heart of the city's Central district, its 56 floors offer stunning views of The Peak, Victoria Harbor, and the distant mountains of China.

10. The Setai Hotel, Miami
Most expensive: $3,870
Cheapest: $715

Its design vision artfully combines the rich architectural history of the neighborhood and its cultural diversity with the International Art Deco movement, particularly its influence in Asia. Infused with natural materials, space and light, The Setai bears the unmistakable imprint of legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha.


Cheap as chips, don't you think?!

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*Note, all prices are per night

Be good in Estonia or else.

One always has to be good and well behaved, at least that’s what mothers told us all, but one has to be extra careful when Estonia comes to picture, as Russian Ms Mariana B. Skvortsova found out.

Ms Skvortsova planned to spend her winter holidays travelling abroad. Yet, she was refused entry when she travelled from Russia to Finland. As it turned out, Ms Skvortsova was put on an immigration blacklist by Estonia because of her earlier participation in anti-Estonian protests over World War II monuments.

As Estonia is now a full member of European Union, Ms Skvortsova ban prevents her not only from travelling to Estonia but also to most of Europe as well.

So be good when taking holidays or visiting Talin!

Xishuangbanna elephant attack

An American tourist had to be hospitalized after being attacked by a wild elephant in “Wild Elephant Valley” nature reserve in the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan province.

Mr. Jeremy Allen McGill, an English teacher, suffered serious internal injuries.

"It wasn't clear why he was attacked," a Chinese official says "The elephant just used its trunk to pick the man up and then let go."

Xishuangbanna region in southern China is famous for its unspoiled woods and tropical rainforest swarming with wildlife. According to the official website, now nearly 300 Asian elephants live in Mengyang Nature Reserve, which Wild Elephant Valley Park is part of. In 2006 the "Wild Elephant Valley" was named one of China's top 50 destinations for foreign tourists.

Russell Crowe new ambassador for Sydney

Actor Russell Crowe will head the U.S. advertising campaign promoting Sydney as the perfect holiday destination. The Hollywood superstar will be joined by two other ambassadors; billionaire businessman Peter Holmes à Court and world surfing champion Layne Beachley

"They are international heavyweights who can influence people from industry, business, entertainment and sport," NSW Premier Morris Iemma said in a statement. "Their public support of Sydney will encourage people to visit and invest in business, tourism, the arts, sport and education”

Big four say no to holidays in Kenya.

Thomas Cook, MyTravel, First Choice and Thomson have put on hold holidays to Kenya until the end of April 2008, despite the latest change in travel advice issued by the Foreign Office.

Statement issued by Thomson reads: “In light of the FCO’s advice against all but essential travel to large parts of Kenya and as the security and political situation in the country remains unpredictable, the decision has been taken to cancel both the First Choice and Thomson charter flight operation to Mombassa, Kenya for the winter season.”