Ferry crash in Spain strands 1,000

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Imagine spending 20 hours crammed onto a ferry with almost 1,000 strangers. This is exactly what happened this weekend when strong winds forced a ship going from Orán, Algeria to Alicante, Spain to crash into the dock. Those on board were able to get off, and the next wave climbed aboard … where they would wait for almost a full day.

On Saturday night – after boarding Friday night – some of the passengers were permitted to step off the boat for a while, before trying again. Only around 40 people did so. Traffic in the other direction was a nightmare, though. Close to 120 cars showed up for the Saturday night ferry, only to find it canceled.

Given that this was a ferry, there were no reports of time being passed via shuffle board and low-rent lounge acts. There did not appear to be a buffet, and if there was a Captain’s table, it probably had folding legs.

It looks like the Alicante-Orán service could be working again on Monday.

Make your mark on the new romance suite at Hotel Bel-Ami

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Hotel Bel-Ami just finished its new “Romance” junior suite and wants you to take it for a spin. So, take your wife or girlfriend (there are double-occupancy restrictions, so you can’t take both of them) to Paris by the end of August, and you’ll get the room and a welcome glass of champagne for only $675 a night. And, the hotel is kicking in a 20 percent discount on treatments at the hotel’s spa.

I guess there is a “right” way to do Paris!

The fourth floor suite is far enough up to give you a view over the rooftops in St Germain des Pres, so you can enjoy the city from above and from the street. But, you probably won’t be looking out the window much …

Photo of the Day (7.17.09)

by Aaron Hotfelder on


Gadling favorite StrudelMonkey posted this great photo of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge, two Prague landmarks that help make the Czech capital one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As a one-time Prague resident, I can attest that the fairy-tale look of the city never fades, no matter how long you’ve called the city home. Almost every time I’d wander around Old Town Square or walk along the Vltava River, I’d think to myself, “I can’t believe I live here.”

Want your photo considered for Gadling’s Photo of the Day? Upload your best shots here.

German airline to offer smoking, not non

by Tom Johansmeyer on

How did this one get by me? An all-smoking airline!

Alexander Schoppmann is on the prowl for startup capital for an all-smoking airline. Once he gets the cash, he’s going to lease two Boeing 747s and run a route from Dusseldorf to Tokyo. This doesn’t do much for the few Americans who still prefer to light up, but if the Schoppmann can squeeze a profit out of this (which conventional airlines aren’t even doing), maybe he’ll export the idea.

If all goes according to plan, Smintair (for “Smoker’s International Airways) will go wheels up for the first time next year. Each plane will accommodate 138 passengers, with no economy seating. You’ll have to pay to play on Smintair, but if you have a serious tobacco jones, it could be worth the trouble – especially if you’re stuck on a plane from Germany to Japan.

Schoppmann is looking to use the upper deck as a passengers’ lounge, rather than cramming it with more seats. Smintair will be an upscale affair, so the poor and the nic-free should book their travel arrangements elsewhere. Flight attendants and pilots who aren’t interested in a smoke-filled workplace, the company says, need not apply.

The price tag is hefty: approximately $56 million. Part of this will pay for an older approach to pushing fresh air through the cabin – instead of the cheaper systems being used now. Even with the barriers, Schoppmann is optimistic. I guess the former stockbroker has some solid connections.

Cigar smokers: if you’re worried about discrimination, the hopeful founder remembers fondly the days when Lufthansa would serve a selection of Montecristos in flight.

[Via Blackbook]

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Amsterdam says “we are all gay” – begs gays to visit them

by Scott Carmichael on

The Dutch tourist bureau is reaching out to American gays by trying to convince them that “everyone is gay in Amsterdam”.

The bureau says that gays are one of the few remaining tourist groups with any disposable income left, and they are trying to paint Amsterdam as a very gay friendly city in the hope that they’ll make the trip and spend their cash in the Dutch capital.

To deliver their message, they’ll be inviting the gay community in the US to visit Amsterdam using TV commercials and magazine ads.

Gay TV channel “Here TV” is even planning to show a documentary about gay friendly Amsterdam.

Of course, the whole promotion could also have something to do with the fact that Amsterdam really isn’t as gay friendly as it used to be, and that many other European cities have bypassed them.

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