Daily Pampering: The Peninsula Hotels’ $20,000 tour of China

by Melanie Nayer on

The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Beijing and The Peninsula Shanghai are offering China travelers a new way to see three of the country’s best city, thanks the “Tale of Three Cities” – the hotels’ collection of itineraries showcasing the very best of China.

Hoping to bring back the glamor in travel, the Peninsula’s are hosting above-and-beyond luxury experiences at each hotel that include accommodations, cultural tours, culinary and spa activities and sightseeing in style – via Rolls-Royce and helicopters.

The “Epic Tale” offer features Peninsula Suite accommodation and a host of benefits, while the more value-driven “Classic Tale” program also offers a range of distinctive advantages for the China traveler. Both programs include The Peninsula Academy, with its unique selection of heritage, culinary and lifestyle activities created to give guests a taste of Chinese culture.

“The Epic Tale” – starting price $20,000
Two nights’ accommodation in The Peninsula Suite (the premier suite in each hotel)
Airport transfers by Rolls-Royce Daily American breakfast
A selection of Peninsula Academy activities
Spa treatments at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA
Additional benefits in each hotel, including spa treatments, complimentary drinks, laundry, dry cleaning and more.

“The Classic Tale” – starting price $1,595
Two nights in a regular room
Daily American breakfast
Round-trip airport transfers by limousine
One Peninsula Academy program Spa credits at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA

The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai and The Peninsula Beijing “Tale of Three Cities” programs are available through Dec. 29, 2010.

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Airport efficiency: the world’s winners

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Do you get frustrated when you walk into an airport? Even before you get there? On good days, it’s a painful experience, with long lines, the security gauntlet and procedures (which may or may not be appropriate) that are guaranteed to annoy. It should come as no surprise that some are better than others. While the hope for a headache-free flight may not change your vacation plans, knowing that you’ll pass though one may take the edge off a bit.

The Air Transport Research Society has put out a list of the world’s most efficient airports, large and small, in the top three regions for travel: North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The rankings were based on a wide range of statistic, including “traffic data, on-time statistics, financial reports and passenger throughput.”

According to the ATRS, the five airports least likely to drive you nuts (by region) are:

  • Europe, Large Airport (more than 15 million passengers): Oslo, Norway
  • Europe, Small Airport (less than 15 million passengers): Geneva, Switzerland
  • North America, Large Airport (more than 15 million passengers): Atlanta, Georgia
  • North America, Small Airport (less than 15 million passengers): Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
  • Asia-Pacific, Large Airport (more than 15 million passengers): Hong Kong
  • Asia-Pacific, Small Airport (less than 15 million passengers): Seoul-Gimpo, South Korea

So, which one is the best in the world? The ATRS gives that distinction to Atlanta, which is tops for traffic and has solid financial management. Seoul-Gimpo, according to the study, has made a “remarkable turnaround, and Oslo knocked Copenhagen out of the winner’s circle that it had owned for several years.

[photo by Franco Folini via Flickr]

Cathay Pacific donates travel package to Los Angeles music charity

by Melanie Nayer on

In celebration of Cathay Pacific Airways’ 20 years of nonstop flights between Hong Kong and the United States, the airline is awarding an Anniversary Giveaway package to Education Through Music – Los Angeles. The prize: 200,000 Asia Miles, a Business Class dinner for 20 volunteers, and $2,000 in cash.

Charities from throughout the greater Los Angeles area were invited to participate in the “Giveaway” by submitting something creative that shared how they could benefit from receiving a Volunteer of the Year Hong Kong air and hotel package. Education Through Music took home the prize after submitting a DVD presentation for the judges that included how the giveaway would benefit the organization, and creating an airline poster that inspired children to ‘soar to new heights’.

Education Through Music – Los Angeles provides quality in-school music education to support both creative and academic achievement. Through its programs, children become more proficient in music and work to boost their academic skills, as well as focus on self-esteem and self-motivation.

Cathay Pacific Airways launched nonstop flights from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on July 1, 1990.

Shanghai Nights: 24 hours in the Expo City

by Melanie Nayer on


Shanghai is a city of complications and successes. It’s one of the most modern cities in China, yet still holds sacred its roots in China’s history. It’s lived in the shadows of Beijing and Hong Kong for centuries but today offers travelers a new experience, thanks in part to its hosting the World Expo Shanghai. Shanghai is a juxtaposition of old and new on every street. A five minute walk from the world’s largest Louis Vuitton store is one of Shanghai’s oldest parks, where locals converge to practice the art of Tai Chi and take part in morning dance rituals as a form of expression and exercise.

Imagine you have exactly 24 hours to explore one of the world’s most historical and modernized cities. What do you do first? Whether you’re heading to Shanghai as a stopover to somewhere else in China, or your spending your vacation in the Expo City, make sure to save a day for the following:

Early morning in Renmin Park 7 – 8 a.m.
Only a short walk from The Portman Ritz-Carlton at Shanghai Center (where I stayed during my trip to Shanghai), Renmin Park at People’s Square of Puxi offers a unique glance at the life of old Shanghainese. Early Sunday mornings are filled with generations of Shanghainese taking part in familiar rituals including Tai Chi and ‘disco’ – their version of what Americans would consider “line dancing.” Join the dance or just stop and take it all in. Everyone is wonderfully friendly in the park and welcome tourists to join the dance or take part in Tai Chi.

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Morning visit to the World Expo 9 a.m. – noon
No trip to Shanghai would be complete without a visit to the World Expo. The “Better Life, Better City” motto is felt through all the pavilions, but beware: you’ll stand in line for a while. Choose one or two pavilions you want to see before you go and head straight there. A few things to note before you arrive:

  • No outside food or drink will be permitted into the Expo
  • You can buy your tickets at any of the booths outside the Expo when you arrive, but you’ll save time if you buy ahead and pick up your tickets at one of the “will-call” windows
  • The Expo is mapped out by zones – A, B, C, D, and E. It’s wise to choose the pavilions you want to see in the same zone, but if you must travel to different zones there is a shuttle bus that will take you around.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking at the World Expo, and a lot of standing around in line, so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.
  • If you’re in Shanghai for longer than one day, buy a 7-day pass to the Expo and map out a few other pavilions you want to see during the remainder of your visit.
  • The China pavilion is the most popular pavilion, and unless you’ve got a VIP pass you’d better get in line early. Only 1000 passes are handed out on a first-come-first-service basis daily to the China pavilion.
  • Forget the gift shops and take photos instead. Cameras are allowed in each of the pavilions and you can take photos of any and all exhibits.

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Afternoon visit to Zhu Jia Jiao, renowned water village in Puxi 2 – 4 p.m.
Located about a 45-minute drive from Shanghai is Zhu Jia Jiao, the renowned water village in Puxi. The traditional water canal town dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties and has some of the best market shopping and authentic Shanghai food in the city. Take a walk through the markets and purchase a few souvenirs before boarding a water taxi to visit the Taoist Temple, the great Qing Post Office and the old Chinese Pharmacy. The markets sell local produce and traditional Chinese gifts including jewelry, fans and silk.

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Candle lighting ceremony at The Portman Ritz-Carlton
The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, was the first luxury hotel in Shanghai, but still retains the values of old Shanghai. After a day out exploring, spend a few moments in the lobby watching the traditional Chinese candle lighting ceremony. The ceremony takes place in the lobby and lasts only a few minutes, allowing plenty of time for you to relax in the lobby bar for a before heading out to the famous Bund for the evening.

Evening on the Bund 8 p.m.
Shanghai’s Bund is one of the most areas of the city. With spectacular views of the city and surrounded by restaurants and bars, the Bund is always lively on any night of the week. Start with a walk along the bridge by the river to capture photos of the city skyline on one side, and the old buildings on the other. Dine at Lost Heaven, a traditional Yunnan Chinese restaurant that serves family-style entrees for every taste and palette. After dinner, head to New Heights, located at Three on the Bund. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace that offers spectacular views of the Bund and the Shanghai skyline.

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It’s a packed day in Shanghai, but with a little planning and a lot of energy, you’ll see the beauty of old and new in 24 hours.


View Shanghai in a larger map


*The Portman Ritz-Carlton sponsored my trip to Shanghai, but the opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own.

Daily Pampering: Cathay Pacific Business Class flights

by Melanie Nayer on

If you’re going to fly to China, you might as well fly in style. After all, the 15-18 hour flight (depending on flight path and departure city) can seem like an eternity in a 777.

Having just completed a round-trip flight to Australia I was mentally prepared for the long flight across the Pacific. I’ve learned that if you’re going to make the journey, you want to be comfortable, thus, my first trip to China started in Business Class on Cathay Pacific. I stepped into pod 27A, and prepped for the 16-hour flight from New York’s JFK airport to Hong Kong: eye mask, noise-cancelling headphones, cashmere wrap, lip balm, iPod, computer – check. What I didn’t expect was an amenity kit, courtesy of Cathay, filled with face wash, lotion, more lip balm, another eye mask and eye cream.

Cathay’s business class seats feature an amenities sections – everything fits neatly into compartments around your pod or under your foot rest so you don’t have to go far to get your in-flight necessities. The flight attendants, who are all impeccably dressed, continuously make their way through the cabins offering bottled water and champagne cocktails and within minutes you forget you’re 35,000-feet up in air.

The in-flight entertainment options offer dozens of movies, TV shows, radio stations and CDs to keep you occupied. I watched two movies, ordered a few snacks, indulged in some quiet time (otherwise known as “sleeping” for those who can sleep on planes), and thanks to the size of the pods, was able to comfortably stretch without invading anyone else’s space.While I didn’t indulge in any full means in flight, the menu was rather extensive. Each meal in business class came with three options and usually included a vegetarian option in addition to the typical salad that accompanies the meal. Desserts included fruit cups, cakes and cheese platters and when I got hungry about 10 hours into the flight, the flight attendants warmed up a cheese sandwich for me – the perfect midnight snack.

The combination of adrenaline and excitement kept me from sleeping on the flight to Hong Kong, but the comforts of business class made up for the lack of sleep. I arrived in Hong Kong at 6:30 a.m. local time, freshened up in the business class lounge and boarded the 2-hour flight to Shanghai. I arrived the Expo City by noon, ready to take on China.

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*Cathay Pacific sponsored my flight to China, but the views expressed in this post are strictly my own.