Pacet-Cangar-Batu

Until recently, the only way to get to Batu from the resorts of Tretes and Pacet, aside from walking over the mountains, was via Malang, a distance of some 70 km or more. Now there is a new route, giving direct access to Batu from Pacet. The village of Pacet is not far from Trawas and the site of Reco Lanang. The road winds up steeply through primeval forest in the foothills of Mt Welirang,

Beach, Manado, North Sulawesi,Photo TourismIndonesia

Beach, Manado, North Sulawesi, Photo TourismIndonesiaKalasey Beach, Manado, IndonesiaKalasey Beach, Manado, IndonesiaKalasey Beach, Manado, IndonesiaBunaken Island, Manado, North Sulawesi, IndonesiaBunaken Island, Manado, North Sulawesi, IndonesiaBunaken is one of Tourism Indonesia's most famous dive areas, and it draws scuba divers from all over the world. In addition to Bunaken itself, a rather

British Air Phasing Out First Class Service

At one time I worked as the president of a division of TimeWarner. I was always very proud that I never-- not once-- used one of the corporate jets to fly someplace, something my peers all did. I was happy to fly with them on their trip but I always had the feeling that using a corporate jet was a tremendous waste of shareholders money and that it could be used for more productive endeavors. And I was perfectly satisfied with first class on British Air, my favorite airline. The flight from L.A. to London left at night, so you could change into your pjs, settle into your relatively private cubicle, have a fantastic dinner, read for a while, get a perfect night's sleep on a comfortable flat bed and wake up in the morning in time to get to your first meeting rested and without a trace of jetlag. All for $10,300 (roundtrip).

Now that I'm retired. I've discovered the allure of business class. Apparently I'm one step ahead of my former flying companions-- or at least the ones without corporate jets at their disposal. According to yesterday's Guardian, the British Air first class cabin is going the way of the way of the dodo bird.

Business class passengers famously draw envious glances from the herd in economy by turning left when they enter a plane, but it is the first class ticket holders who are the most pampered. On British Airways' 747s they ascend to their Kelly Hoppen-designed cabin and don their free pyjamas and slippers before supping on the likes of lobster thermidor, pan-seared wild Scottish salmon or roasted Cornish game hen, then slip between the sheets of their roomy-- and extremely flat-- bed.

Now, however, this most opulent form of travel is under threat.

The global downturn has devastated demand for expensive seats, and even Hollywood stars and bankers are shying away from BA's extravagant first class prices. The airline, stung by a slump in premium bookings that helped push the company into its worst-ever loss of £401m, has removed first class accommodation from four of its new long-haul planes, and is to review seating plans for other new aircraft.

"The long-haul aircraft that we take delivery of this year will not have any first class cabins in them," said Willie Walsh, BA's chief executive. He insisted there was no direct link to the recession, but he added: "Longer term we will review the configuration of [all] new aircraft." BA is also launching a service this year from Heathrow to Las Vegas, a prime destination for high-rollers, with no first class option.

First class is the last remnant of the more romantic days of air travel when BA's predecessor, British Overseas Airways Corporation, offered first class tickets alongside the more down-at-heel tourist or economy cabins. Its upmarket reputation has become even more rarefied over the years following the introduction of slightly less luxurious business class seats in the late 1970s, and cut-throat competition on the transatlantic market.

Walsh admitted that the cost of ripping out seats in the existing fleet is too great to get rid of first class in existing planes, leading industry watchers to speculate that upgrades for economy class travellers might become a more common occurrence... The cost of refitting an aircraft, at millions of pounds per plane, means that airlines will have to turn to riskier strategies such as overbooking flights until their new aircraft orders arrive. Airlines can guarantee strong revenues from economy class passengers if they overbook the back of the plane. Under that scenario, any passenger who is the victim of an overbooking could be upgraded to one of the many empty seats in business class, or bumped to another flight.

Of course, there's always Air Emirates. I'm not sure if this price includes tax or not, but the L.A.-London run is $24,916.97. In any case, the food looks like it's probably not that different from B.A. Business class on B.A., by the way, costs $4,274 and you'd be surprised how comfy it feels when you think of the $6,000 you save by forgoing First Class (or the $20,000 you save by avoiding Air Emirates).

Enjoy Your Honeymoon in Shimla

It was Diwali... And I was in a complete fix. Where do I go? Should I go to a hill station or a beach resort? North or south? Should I plan the trip on my own or go in for a package?So, my wife and I discussed quite a few options and then finally decided on our dream spot, Shimla (originally called "Simla"). Shimla is a beautiful and pristine hill station, located in north-west Himalayas of India

Holidays in Playa Blanca

At this time of year you may well be looking for where you're going to spend your summer holidays this year, looking for the perfect location to relax and take a break from working life. But with all the cheap flights and package deals available we're really spoiled for choice and it can be quite confusing with people and travel agents alike telling you which the "in" places are this year.One

The ChinaTourism

The usual way to reach Chengdu by air is to connect via Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. A typical round-trip airfare from Los Angeles or a major European hub is US$1400, but this can be considerably reduced if you book through a consolidator. A consolidator is a discount ticket shop; they exist in most international air hub cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London,

1. Lake SingkarakIt is the biggest lake in West Sumatra with a 21 km long, located along the road Padang Panjang - Solok. Around the lake there are several places to relax and unwind as well as various facilities are also available canoe, boat and hotel. There are also facilities to circumnavigate the lake with beautiful scenery.2. Lake ManinjauThe lake is quite beautiful and interesting that is

The Turkey Tourism

Turkish is a country located between Asia and Africa. Istanbul is a city in Turkey which is the largest and most populous city. In the Roman era, the city known as Constantinople. This is taken from the name penemunya a Roman warrior named Konstantin.Istanbul has many old buildings that still mosque terawat. One of them, Yeni Mosque, built in the period 1577 to 1663. This mosque has a typical

The India Tourism

When you first set foot in the Domodedovo International Airport to the city of Moscow, I immediately presented the city that is tidy, the wide street, old buildings and heritage days of old are still good terawat and still in use and does not tergerus by modernization. Perhaps, the Russian government forbade the entire restoration of heritage buildings in the city. Do not forget, with the Moscow

The Egypt Tourism

Treasury of the past has been to Egypt, a history of the world. Wealth and cultural heritage of history, making Egypt to be extraordinary.Pyramid and Pharaoh, two words that seemed to have sticky with Egypt. Everyone who heard the word "Egypt" or will pay a visit to Egypt, then in the terlintas mind or they are the Pyramid of King Pharaoh. As if it's not complete, if the tour to Egypt, if not to

The Philippines Tourism

Wall is identical with the limitations. What separates the walled in and outside. And this often keterpisahan based desire to maintain themselves, maintain the purity, integrity to maintain a self-perpetuate.That's when the walls of Intramuros in Manila. Thick wall in the limit of the old city is the cultural essence of Spanish colonists. Beyond there, the island that is not with the neighbors in

The France Tourism

Toulouse is the capital of the Midi Pyrénées is situated in southwest France on the Garonne River edge. Toulouse metropolitan area is the second largest in southern France after Marseille and one of the most rapidly growing in Europe.City of Toulouse is also known by the name "pink city" or the pink city is one of the few beautiful places we can visit in the country of France.Toulouse is known as

For TravelersThe first time you come to the Netherlands, you will be landed at Schiphol Airport. Do you know that the airport is used to the swamps that are not valued and is now building a tlah magnificent airport? In addition to luxurious, Schiphol airport is also a super-critical and super busy. Imagine, every day of the flight from this airport is 60 times per hour. So, one time per minute.If

The Japan Tourism

In Japan and the weather is different from the north to the south. Northernmost area, the island of Hokkaido is cold. Is the most southern islands of Okinawa. Island of Honshu Island is the biggest and most important, which is located in the cities are the most important such as the Metropolitan Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc..Then there are two other main islands, namely Kyushu and Shikoku. Various

Hawaii - Don’t Hire a Tour Guide, Guide Yourself

When you visit Hawaii there are many islands that offer plenty of exciting activities, natural wonders, and enjoyment for all who visit. However, Hawaii is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, so you can only imagine how traveling in the area might affect your budget. Because of this you might prefer to guide yourself through the islands with some suggestions of the

Gong Cave in Pacitan