Culture Connect
 

What is it?

Culture Connect is a unique partnership between Eurostar and specially selected museums and galleries in London, Paris and Brussels.

How does it work?

When you travel with Eurostar, simply show your ticket at any of the museums and galleries listed below and get 2 for 1 entry to all paying exhibitions or permanent collections. Terms and conditions apply.
 

What else do I need to know?

The offer applies to inbound travellers only, so if you're travelling from London to Paris or Brussels you can get 2 for 1 entry to paying exhibitions or permanent collections at any of the French or Belgian museums and galleries listed below. You may be asked for proof of nationality at the museum or gallery ticket desk.

The offer is available for up to five days after your arrival in your destination, and only one person need have a Eurostar ticket to qualify for 2 for 1 entry.
 

Which museums and galleries are involved?

In London
The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

In Paris
Le musée de quai Branly, le Jeu de Paume, le Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville de Paris, la Cité de la musique, and les Galeries nationales du Grand Palais.

In Brussels
Bozar, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (including the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art) and the Musical Instrument Museum.
Any Belgian Stations bonus

• Travel from or to any Belgian destinations must be completed within 24 hours of the Eurostar journey
• Only one ticket will be printed with the mention "Any Belgian Station" printed on the Eurostar ticket
• No need for a reservation for the local Belgian train ride
• NOT VALID on Thalys or IC trains
   

5 days prior to travel & 5 days after travel / Eurostar tickets & passport / international travellers (not UK or Fr passport holder)

BAGGAGE SERVICE – hotel to hotel for Eurostar Travellers - £20 approx cost – no lugging luggage around to rail stations & worrying about storage on the train.

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PHOENIX VOYAGES are an Asian Travel Wholesaler that we at Angas Travel use regularly for the land content of clients travelling to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Their latest Newsletter provides up to date information of what is happening in this corner of Asia

PHNOM PENH: A GRACEFUL WHIRL OF GLITTERING CULTURES
If one visit is a must, then it has to be the Royal Palace - designed by the French and Khmer architects in 1866. Its whole structure is based on the ancient art of Khmer sculpture. An ensemble of prominent monuments stretching on some 16 acres, it offers visitors a garden dotted with many palaces and pagodas, a real wonder anyone could never forget.

One of the alluring places to visit is the famous Silver Pagoda, a sanctuary containing the ashes of the Cambodian Royalties. It was named as its 5000 silver floor tiles were put together, each carved with French lily flowers. This temple is a real invitation to a journey through times, showcasing a huge collection of sacred items, such as the Buddha statues set with diamonds and ruby besides other precious stones and metals artworks.

Very close from these splendors stands the National Museum for Fine Arts and its relaxing wonderful esplanade. This museum shows masterpieces of Khmer arts and handicrafts, most of them coming from Angkor temples. It tells the whole ancient history of Cambodia, from pre-historic to post-Angkor era (after the 14th century).
A climax after all those discoveries, one cannot leave Phnom Penh without attending an Apsara dance show, an amazingly graceful classical Khmer art that used to be shown to Cambodian royal family members only. Nested at the cultures' confluence too, Phnom Penh will fill you with a whirl of emotions.

CAMBODIA, MUCH MORE TO OFFER THAN ANGKOR TEMPLES
Cambodia is well known for being the home of one of the most extraordinary human-made structures: the Angkor Wat. Of course a delight to its 3 million visitors a year, who just planned a short-time visit of this World's Wonder. But how many of them will seize the opportunity to visit this amazingly heritage-rich country in a more in depth manner? Actually both the Khmer country and its people do bear a magic charm that bewitched quite many so far!
The countryside and rain forest competing with the sea sides of sandy beaches and pristine waters; breathtaking natural landscapes with lively ancient cultures and deep spiritual roots, without forgetting Phnom Penh, its capital, once known as the "Pearl of Asia", and considered one of the loveliest of the French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920s.
Cambodia also has recently invested in developing hotels and infrastructures throughout the country making the visit of the Kingdom a comfortable and pleasurable experience.
I personally encourage everyone to visit Cambodia in depth and spend more time to discover the true wonders of the Kingdom.
Edouard George, President of Phoenix Voyages

NEW UNESCO CERTIFIED SITE
Mekong Delta's Kien Giang reserve has just received a UNESCO certification. Occupying more than 1 million acres, it is the largest biosphere in Southeast Asia. It consists of 3 parts: Phu Quoc National Park (home to important coral reefs and 529 plant species, of which some are endangered species); U Minh Thuong National Park (mangrove forest and ecosystem); and Kien Luong coastal forest (endemic fauna and birds).
 

HANOI BANS TRAFFIC IN OLD TOWN
Hanoi is celebrating its 1000th Year. Events will be organized in the city from September to October 2010. During this time, authorities have decided the temporary closure of some roads in the Old Quarters. This situation should lead to difficulties in accessing some hotels.

VISA ON ARRIVAL IS ATTRACTIVE
After 2 months of implementation, visa on arrival proved to be attractive to foreign tourists landing at the country's international airports. Between May 1st and June 30th, if 8 visas were issued at Mandalay Airport, which is only internationally linked with Kunming, China, not less than 4990 visas were issued at Yangon International Airport. The application process takes just a few minutes, and a 28-days tourism visa on arrival costs only 30 US$.

DOMESTIC AIRLINES TO EXPAND FLEETS
Private airlines announced they will boost their capacity on domestic and international routes. Air Bagan will purchase two Airbus A-320s for use on international routes and two ATR 72-500s for domestic operations. Meanwhile Air Mandalay plans to add two new ATR 72s to expand its domestic services.

ENCOURAGING NUMBERS, BUT...
The Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) is optimistic that tourist arrivals this year will reach the target of 2.15 million people, even though the 10% increasing trend was affected by the political unrest in Thailand, as most visitors to Laos travel through Thailand.

BOUN THAT LUANG'S FESTIVAL IN VIENTIANE
Boun That Luang's religious festival, the country's most important national holiday, will be held in and around Vientiane's That Luang stupa, the national symbol of Laos. It is a three-day religious festival celebrated at full moon in November. It begins with pre-dawn gathering of ten thousands of pilgrims from Laos and Thailand at That Luang who listen to prayers and sermons chanted by hundreds of monks representing all Lao wats. The festival ends with a huge fireworks display.

LIVING PHOTOGRAPHY IN SIEM REAP
Created in 2005, the completely free of charge Angkor Photo Festival is the first such event to be organized in South-East Asia. 6th edition will happen from 20th to 27th November, 2010, welcoming some 60 professionals from Europe to Asia and showcasing emerging South-East Asian photographers through some 20 exhibitions and outdoor slideshows in different locations in Siem Reap. Besides showing quality artworks, its strong educational goals set it apart from other photography events. During their stay, international renowned photographers tutor will offer free workshops for emerging Asian photographers. Likewise, young Asian photographers will supervise photo workshops for the underprivileged Anjali children's project. http://www.photographyforchange.net/

HIGHLIGHTING NORTH-KOREAN HOTEL FACILITIES
North-Korea's visitors might wonder about the hotel facilities that will welcome them during their stay in this very rarely visited country. All our programs include night stays in State-run hotels that suit Western standards of comfort and facilities. Might it be in the huge building of Pyongyang's Yanggakdo Hotel, with its convenient rooms all equipped with attached bathrooms; or in the former Koryo Kingdom's capital city Kaesong Folkcustom Hotel, which features traditional Korean old houses amidst green gardens and pathways.
Likewise, Myohyang's Hyangsan Hotel and Sijung's Hotel have it all to make a stay as close as possible to nature's wonders. Each with attractive restaurants and efficient service, your stay in North-Korea will be without a doubt a pleasant and enjoyable one.

PHNOM PENH – RAFFLES HOTEL LE ROYAL RARE LUXURY STYLE AND OLD-WORLD CHARM

First established in 1929 under the guidance of visionary French architect Ernest Hébrard, Raffles Hotel Le Royal is a hotel with rare attributes of history and style. If it had in its early days a diverse international clientele comprising of adventurers, artists and writers, journalists and royalty, it went through so many historical milestones of the country.

Finally it turned to be a modern world-class hotel after its careful restoration programme in 1996. Now a leading 5-star hotel with upper-class facilities and amenities, it still imparts an old-world charm through its style and décor. Since its renovation it has been endlessly rewarded for its ultimate standards in facilities, spas, fine food restaurants and wine cellars and quality of service. Raffles Hotel Le Royal showcases now a unique luxury world and at the same time it allows experiencing Phnom Penh's historical legacy.

Check for more on: www.raffles.com/EN_RA/Property/RLR/

LAST MONTH'S FORGOTTEN POSTCARD ON BOARD L'AMANT

My dearest friends,

I am now laying on the sun-deck of "L'Amant". Far from the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, Johnny and I are navigating up Mekong River's majestic course at the soothing speed of our luxurious boutique style vessel. On the third day of our journey we are now striding along the deck as if it was our home, with all the care provided by its kindest crew and staff.

Both of us are dazzled by the changing environment of this trip: landscapes' beauty which looks sometimes unreal; sleeping-like towns which have a huge past and heritage; and those floating markets gathering people each early morning with so many vibrant colors and tastes. Ben Tre, Cai Be, Vinh Long, Sa Dec. We are just back today from the visit of the House of the Chinese, where Marguerite Duras experienced so much emotions with her Lover. We are now back on the boat which was named in his honor and we have a nice thought of Jane, who performed her role so well on the screen and for you as well my dears!
Tomorrow we will dock at Chau Doc and go through Cambodia. It is still far from Angkor wonders but we'll be there soon. First, we will discover the incredible cultural heritage of Phnom Penh's royal town, its countless pagodas, its serene spirituality and relics of its happy or painful past. Phnom Penh, the Pearl of Asia…
All these glitters in our dreams are no longer far away. Actually it is now becoming a reality. As close as we are in thoughts of you to share this graceful leisure time.
Brad, who is now at his cooking lesson (!), would for sure add here his kindest regards.

                                                                      Your Vanessa
http://www.lamant-cruises.com/

HOTEL NEWS

Park Royal Yangon, Myanmar

Has been nominated as Myanmar's leading hotel in the 17th World Travel Award, the most prestigious in global travel industry, to be compared to the Oscar's in the movies industry. The winners will be announced at a Gala Ceremony on October 14th in New Delhi.

Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, Cambodia

To welcome its clients to their swimming pool re-opening, now equipped with a brand new filter system, Victoria Resort offers until late September its free use for all outside guests and clients having snacks or meal at the resort.

Victoria Can Tho, Vietnam

Spices Restaurant will re-open on August 24th after a complete renovation work: new air-conditioning and lighting system, as well as a new design concept and wine cellar.

Life Resorts, Vietnam

With its numerous resorts across the country in Phan Thiet, Quy Nhon, Hoi An and Danang, Life Resorts is launching a "Life Package" promotion for a 2-night stay including breakfast, complimentary massage and airport transfer. Offer is available until mid-October.

From Indochina's era to the dramatic Khmer Rouges' regime upto to the modern-day Cambodia, this venerable lady has upheld her religious belief, just like the Khmer people, who have a deep rooted ancestral spiritual heritage, amidst the wonders of Angkor Wat temple.

SPECIAL PHNOM PENH

TOWN'S TOURS GUIDED BY SPECIALISTS OF CAMBODIA

Phnom Penh's deep social and cultural history can be discovered on its own. However, Phoenix Voyages recommends you to benefit from the insights of specialized historians and sociologists, who will highlight a wide variety of historical marks. A new half-day tour, either in "tuk-tuk" or minibus, will lead you through Chinese and colonial districts, before stopping by Chaktomuk Conference Hall. One of the Sangkum era's masterworks, built before the Khmer Rouge regime started and made the town nearly empty of its inhabitants. More than a mere historical and architectural stroll, an essential analysis of its political and cultural contexts to understand Phnom Penh today!
 

TUOL SLENG – THE DARK SIDE OF MANKIND

One visiting Phnom Penh and Cambodia nowadays always wonders how these people can overcome the recent painful history they lived in the late 1970's, when Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime planned genocide for an estimated 1.5 million of people. Once a nice school called "Hill of the Mango Tree" it was transformed into a terrifying prison and torture centre known as "S21", during its four years of atrocity. Some 20'000 people and children were detained there and duly registered with names and photos before being tortured to death. No one was able to escape, and during its liberation in 1979, only 7 people were found alive. Now known as Tuol Sleng, the "Poisonous Hill", this visit is not to be recommended for children or highly impressionable people, as it shows the darkest side of human being in Khmer recent history.

NEWS FROM THE SKY

VIETNAM ROUTES ON THE RISE IN NOVEMBER

Air France plans direct service between Paris and HCMC in November. With 6 weekly flights operated by Vietnam Airlines using the Air France code, French carrier will propose to its customers 13 frequencies per week from Vietnam to Paris.

As from 13th of November, 2010, LOT Polish Airlines opens a direct flight from Warsaw to Hanoi, 3 times a week.

Qatar Airways announced a massive expansion plan for its Vietnam operations by opening a new route to Hanoi (4 weekly services) and increasing flight frequencies to HCMC (up to 7 weekly services), as from November too.

VietJet Aviation and Mekong Air, 2 new private carriers, are likely to open their domestic services in the fourth quarter of the year.

Malaysia's Air Asia will launch a daily service between Kuala Lumpur and Yangon from July 20.

FLOATING LUXURY

Newest addition to a fleet of luxury junks, the "Premium Valentine" has begun sailing the waters of Halong Bay in June 2010, and redefines the luxury standards amidst this World Wonder: only 2 very spacious cabins of 22 square meters each, featuring en-suite bathrooms with Jacuzzi. The ultimate appeal for all honeymooners and lovers!