Jetsettersblog

?Part of our ?Just for You? campaign
?Pre-book car rental at time of flight booking
?Low-fares for Sama?s travellers via www.flysama.com

Riyadh 18 Oct 2008: Sama Airlines, the newest low-fares airline in Saudi Arabia, announced that a commercial agreement has been signed between Sama and Avis for international car rental. This agreement will allow Sama’s guests to book via www.flysama.com giving access to special discounted prices with other advantages. This announcement came at the signing ceremony held at Sama premises, in the presence of Mr. Samer Atawi, Sama’s Chief Commercial Officer and Mr. Assad Atyani, Avis’s Country Manager in Saudi Arabia, and senior officials from both companies.

Mr. Samer Atawi, Chief Operation Officer of Sama said: ?We are working at Sama to provide all possible options for our guests to facilitate their travel process, and guarantee a pleasurable trip with Sama. Signing this agreement with a leading company in its field like Avis, is giving further benefit to all our guests. Now they can rent an Avis car via flysama.com and guarantee the lowest fares and other benefits. This agreement comes as part of Sama?s ?Just for You? program to increase customer satisfaction and improve the quality of service?

Now you can simply book your favorite car at any Avis office worldwide via www.flysama.com ?and get the lowest prices with extra free miles and other advantages.

Mr. Thierry Domballe, Regional Director, Mediterranean, Middle East & Ireland at Avis Europe plc, said: ?I am delighted with this agreement and the great opportunity to provide Sama passengers excellent car rental value and high standard customer service throughout the Avis network.?

? Air Arabia?s 42nd destination globally, third destination in Eastern Europe
? Flights to operate three times per week initially

Sharjah, October 15, 2008: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today launched non-stop service to Kiev, Ukraine, from the carrier?s main hub in Sharjah, UAE. The launch of this new destination reflects Air Arabia?s growing expansion into the Eastern European market.

The inaugural flight was marked by the attendance of Adel Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. The flight was accompanied by special receptions in both Sharjah and Kiev airports attended by special guests, which included Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia and the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

Effective October 15-October 25, 2008, the carrier will fly to Kiev three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flights will depart Sharjah at 12:25PM, arriving in Kiev at 16:25PM. Return flights will depart Kiev at 17:10PM and arrive in Sharjah at 23:00PM.

Effective October 26, 2008-March 28, 2009, the carrier will fly to Kiev three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights will depart Sharjah at 13:00PM, arriving in Kiev at 16:00PM. On the same days, return flights will depart Kiev at 16:45PM and arrive in Sharjah at 23:25PM.

AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia, said: ?Ukraine is one of the fastest growing economies in Eastern Europe, and there is considerable passenger traffic between the country and the Middle East, particularly for tourism and business. We are delighted to now offer non-stop service between Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE and Kiev, one of the great cultural cities of Eastern Europe.?

Modern Kiev is a mix of the old and the new, seen in everything from the architecture to the stores and to the people themselves. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions and world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport. One of the greenest cities in the region, it boasts a range of natural and architectural attractions. Kiev experienced record economic growth of more than 7.3 per cent last year alone.

In addition to Kiev, Air Arabia also serves Istanbul, Turkey, and Yerevan, Armenia, in Eastern Europe. The Sharjah-based carrier offers the most destinations of any airline in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa.

Arabic Release? The second signed agreement after Bahrain Air

? The agreement introduce more choices for travel between Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and rest of Sama destinations

Riyadh 25 Aug 2008: Sama Airlines, the newest low-fares airline in Saudi Arabia, announced a commercial agreement has been signed between Sama and Safi Airways, to provide more choices for travel to the customers of both airlines.

?Safi Airways provide daily flights between Dubai and Kabul, enabling onward travel on Sama?s Saudi domestic and international network via Sharjah.

This agreement follows the signing of a similar agreement with Bahrain Air, facilitating for Sama?s guests more choices to Manama, Kabul, Mashad, and Kochi.

Mr. Andrew Cowen, Chief Executive Officer of Sama said: ?Sama is continuing its work to expand access to international destinations not directly served by Sama such as Manama, Kuchi, Kabul, and Mashad to its guests.

The cooperation with Safi Airways and Bahrain Air is allowing Sama to direct sell to those destinations with these partner airlines.

This latest agreement supports Sama?s continuing efforts to meet growing demand for travel market in the Middle East, as part of our objective of becoming the preferred low-cost carrier for travelers in the region.?

Singapore Airlines will commence operations to Riyadh, the largest city and capital of Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 14. Using the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, Singapore Airlines will operate four times weekly to Riyadh via Dubai every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Riyadh will be the second city to which Singapore Airlines operates in Saudi Arabia. The Airline will maintain its current three-times-weekly service to Jeddah, via Abu Dhabi.

Flights are subject to regulatory approval.

“Give me your fiery red color/ take back my wintry shallowness.” The Red Wednesday, counts among the only two extant one of those fire-connected festivities. It is an annual ritual which is held on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Iranian year.

Tehran, Iran, - From among the Aryan festivals and feasts, some of the most important ones pertained to fire, the symbol of good health, cultivation, light, and purity to the Iranian. Chaharshanbe-Suri, “The Red Wednesday”, counts among the only two extant one of those fire-connected festivities.

It is an annual ritual which is held on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Iranian year. It is believed that the ritual guarantees the dissipation of the misfortunes and evils, and of course, the materialization of people’s hopes and desires for the next year.

It dates back to before the Arab Conquest of Iran; when the Iranian year was made up of 360 days with 5 extra days during which the Zoroastrians would build fires to invite their ancestors’ ghosts to their homes. On the other hand, we know that the Arabs believed that Wednesday was inauspicious. So, the people shifted their ritual to the eve of Tuesday (in the Arabian calendar, a day begins and finishes at dusk) to save the custom against the ill will of the Arabs. The ritual is composed of different rites:

Bute-Afruzi (Bush-igniting)

Bush-igniting is the principal ceremony of the night. Before the dusk, seven, as a symbol for the seven Zoroastrian angels (Amshaaspandan), heaps of bushes (of weed) are gathered before the house-gate or on the roof of the house -some visible place for the “ghosts” to guide. After the night has fallen on, the heaps are kindled and the uproarious tumult begins.

Everybody, ranging from the old to the children and the women, is excited into a passionate, memorable night. Now it is time for everybody to leap over the bonfires. They dance and sing merry notes. The traditional song of the night is: “Sorkhi-e man az to/ Zardi-e to az man”, literally “my redness from you/ your yellowness from me”, but figuratively it means “Give me your fiery red color and take back my wintry sallowness”.

In small cities and villages, the ash of the blaze traditionally is cast off in a stream or some crossroad, due its ill omens, because people have thrown off their former pain and misfortunes into it ( of course, in the northern parts of http://www.irpedia.com/_Iran

, such as Gilan province, people put this ash at the foot of the trees as fertilizer). The girl or woman, who had assumed the errand, on returning is asked for her identity and she would say, in response, that she is getting back from a wedding ceremony, fetching good health and good luck with her.

Qaashoq-Zani (Spoon-hitting)

Very much like Halloween and in full disguise, usually a veil (chador) covering the entire body, longing youths go to seven different houses and make a noise by hitting a bowl with a spoon to signal the household residing in the house. Being presented, by the household, with some treat betokens a positive omen, and vice versa.

Faal-e-Gusheneshini (solitary telling of the fortune)

Young women longing for a spouse make a wish, then having hidden themselves in some invisible dark corner of a passage, listen to the passers-by’s talks, according to which they decide whether their wish will or will not be fulfilled; passers-by’s positive talk signifies good omens, and unpleasant words point to some ill portent.

Kuze-Shekani (earthenware jar-shattering)

The household put some coal, as the sign of ill omen, and some salt, standing for evil eye, plus a cheap coin, signifying poverty, inside an earthenware jar. They turn the earthenware jar around their heads one by one. Then, one of them throws the jar over the roof onto the alley. Thus, ill omen, evil eye and poverty are driven out of the house.

Gereh-Goshaee

Similarly, women yearning to tie the knot or persons who have run into some problem, make a knot at the corner of a handkerchief or some other garment and request the first person whom they come across to undo it. The person? s willingness will signal a hopeful portent.

Shaal-Andazi (shawl-dropping)

In some parts of the country, young boys, who are engaged, drop a shawl or wraparound down from the roof of their fianc? e’s house and she would present him with some confection or other present. Along with these rites, there are also others such as making soup for the sick, discarding the outworn furniture, etc. In some areas, the young get their horses out and make a performance on it before the night falls on.

Etihad Airways has enjoyed its busiest northern summer period in its four year history with more than 1.6 million passengers flying onboard the Abu Dhabi-based airline?s flights during the months of June, July and August. Capping a hugely successful northern summer, a record 20,721 passengers flew with Etihad on Friday 1 August making it the airline?s busiest day.

The northern summer months also saw Etihad flights operate at an average of 83 per cent full, an increase of 46 per cent on the same period from the year before.

Etihad has now flown more than four million passengers across its network of 48 destinations so far in 2008, indicating that the airline is well on track to achieve its target of carrying six million passengers by the end of the year.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways? chief executive, said: ?The summer has been a great success with more than 1.6 million passengers flying with Etihad Airways. ?Whilst June, July and August are traditionally the busiest months of the year for most airlines, the record number of passengers who flew with us underlines the considerable impact Etihad is having on the aviation industry.? Etihad?s flights to Asia services turned in a particularly strong performance during the northern summer with seat factors averaging 81 per cent. Passenger loads in the business cabin averaged 83 per cent for the Kuala Lumpur service and 79 per cent for the Bangkok route.

Within Europe, London Heathrow exceeded loads of 91 per cent and Munich 88 per cent. Flights to Brussels, Dublin, Manchester and Paris all achieved average seat factors of more than 80 per cent in the economy cabin.

Routes in the Middle East performed well also during the northern summer including Cairo and Damascus, achieving overall average seat factors of 80 per cent.

Mr Hogan added: ?As ever, we are grateful for the support we continue to receive from Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi Airport Services and the Department of Transport, whose close cooperation has paved the way for Etihad to extend its global network still further, with the launch of new services to Kazakhstan and Russia in the coming months.? Etihad introduced three new destinations in August to the Indian cities of Kozhikode and Chennai as well as the Belarus capital city, Minsk. Etihad will launch in December non-stop flights from its Abu Dhabi base to Almaty in Kazakhstan and the Russian capital, Moscow.

Etihad will also boost its flying programme to Australia in October, with an increase to its existing daily service to Sydney to 11 flights per week. The same month will also see Etihad add a third daily flight to London Heathrow, the world?s busiest international airport.

The Marmara Hotels & Residences is offering Cultural Experience Packages that bring history to life in three of Turkey?s most enchanting cities.

Each offers a glimpse of Turkey?s rich history and culture, hospitality and access to its top sites. From mosques and palaces to modern museums and ancient ruins, from bazaars to Turkish cuisine, outdoor adventures and awe-inspiring scenery, discover it all with one of these Marmara Cultural Experience Packages.

Guests can choose from the mesmerizing excitement of Istanbul, the beautiful Mediterranean coast of Antalya or the charming seaside town of Bodrum, or combine the city and seaside packages for one unforgettable journey.

City Excitement — From its prime city center location in historic Old Istanbul, The Marmara Pera offers easy access to museums, shopping, Istanbul?s top sites and exciting nightlife. Explore the only city in the world located on two continents. The Marmara Pera Cultural Experience Package includes three nights accommodation in a superior room; daily buffet breakfast; complimentary wireless Internet access; use of traditional Turkish hamman at The Marmara Istanbul; Turkish raki and nuts served in-room; Turkish coffee and Turkish Delight at the Marmara Caf?; half-day city tour of Old Istanbul; and tickets to the Sabanci Museum, the Istanbul Modern Museum and the Pera Museum. Rates range from 588 euro to 918 euro per couple, exclusive of tax and service.

Beach Retreat — The Marmara Antalya Beach & Resort in southern Turkey is the world?s only revolving hotel. Located along the Turquoise coast with stunning views of the Taurus Mountains, the resort features its own private beach, a pool, a spa, a man-made river for watersports, and convenient access to the region?s archeological and historical attractions.

The Marmara Antalya Cultural Experience Package includes four nights accommodation in a deluxe room with sea view, daily buffet breakfast at Tuti Restaurant, daily buffet dinner at Tuti Restaurant, complimentary wireless Internet access, chocolate platter in-room upon arrival, one massage, full-day tour to Kekova-Myra-St. Nicholas and a full-day 4×4 Jeep tour to Beskonak-Koprulu Kanyon-Selgel. Rates start at 1276 euro per couple, exclusive of taxes and service.

Seaside Charm — The Marmara Bodrum is a five-star resort in the St. Tropez of Turkey. Located on a hilltop overlooking the Aegean Sea, the luxury boutique resort is a seaside retreat with an award-winning spa and private yacht for sailing trips along the coast. Sleepy fishing villages, the ruins of ancient cities, the Temple of Zeus at Labranda and The Mausoleum of Halikarnossos — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — are all easily accessible from the resort. The Marmara Bodrum Cultural Experience Package includes four nights? accommodation in a deluxe room, daily breakfast, complimentary wireless Internet access, and spa credit of 25 euros per person per stay. Rates start at 1,570 euros per couple, exclusive of tax and service.

The Marmara Cultural Packages are offered through Dec. 31, 2008, based on availability. Rates are based on double occupancy and taxes and service are additional.

For more information, visit www.themarmarahotels.com

Skywards, the frequent-flyer program of Emirates Airline, has recently introduced a new update to its program that offers members the ease of using their Skywards Miles to upgrade eligible Emirates flights online with just a few clicks.

Members can now have 24/7 access and a choice of nine different languages to complete their upgrade.

By using the Manage a Booking facility, members can simply enter a booking reference number and last name to view eligible flights and upgrade options.

In one simple transaction, all passengers in the same booking can be upgraded for an entire journey or individual sectors. Members can also upgrade friends and family online with their own miles.

When customers upgrade using the Skywards Miles booking facility, they will gain all of the benefits of traveling in the higher class. This includes additional baggage allowance, lounge access and chauffeured transportation (where applicable, and must be requested 48 hours prior to departure). There are no service fees for redeeming miles online, and with Skywards upgrade rewards starting from just 5,000 miles, Skywards members now have an easy and convenient means to enjoy the luxury of Emirates premium cabins.

For more information and online demonstration, visit www.skywards.com

Anantara Hits the Roof

The South Sea Pearl Mystic Treatment

Dubai: Inspired by the mysterious glamour of the unique South Sea Pearl, a luxe and exclusive two and a half hour body ritual has been launched at the dazzling new Anantara Spa, bringing new heights to the kingdom of spas on the island of Bali.

The launch of the ultra indulgent and lavish South Sea Pearl Mystic spa experience includes a therapeutic signature pearl massage, facial and a choice of desirable South Sea Pearls that are stunningly priced up to USD$5000 plus tax and service charge.

Making for one of the world?s most decadent spa treatment experiences, spa guests are presented with a premium range of individually crafted South Sea Pearls and jewelry to choose from to complement their exclusive treatment.

The pearl treatment which features the use of essential oils bound with elements of the world?s finest natural South Sea Pearl Powders, is delivered at the resorts? Anantara Spa which has been perfectly positioned to take advantage of spectacular skyline mountain vistas and adjacent ocean horizons from floor to ceiling glass windows.

?The South Sea Pearl Mystic treatment is a high-level concept and experience we introduced to parallel our stunning oceanfront location and cutting edge resort features. This treatment is an experience unlike anything else and one we especially designed to engage our globally discerning and trend savvy guests. Where else can you walk into a spa for a treatment and walk out with a precious gem draped around your d?colletage?? said resort General Manager, Ivan Casadevall.

?The South Sea Pearl Mystic experience is priced according to the size, luster and hierarchy of gem chosen to accompany the treatment which can range anywhere from USD$200++ up to USD$5000++? he adds.

The deluxe treatment includes a pampering foot soak followed by a therapeutic 90 minute Rooftop Signature massage using precious natural pearl powders renowned for their rejuvenating and healing properties. Delicately blended with freshly scooped essence of vanilla pods and essential oils it presents for a most extraordinary aromatic experience.

?A 75 minute customized Fruit Facial Ritual using a combination of fresh tropical fruits to deep cleanse, exfoliate and detoxify completes the session at the newly opened spa.

The Anantara Spa was created to give an illusion of being suspended mid-air with four stylishly appointed air-conditioned private spa suites, spa reception and adjacent all glass fitness and weights room with outdoor deck that all offer indulgent 180 degree skyline views.

The timber and glass motif paneled spa suites also feature mood enhancing dimmer lights, contemporary Zen inspired furnishings such as volcanic stone foot baths, plush carpets over stained mocha timber floors, floor to ceiling windows with brilliant island views and a private indoor rain shower with adjacent washstand and footstools.

A double treatment room of exacting design caters for romantic couple treatments and features the addition of an oversized bathtub abundantly filled with aromatic fresh flower petals for every treatment.

Guests are further indulged at the Anantara Spa with a choice of IPod music piped throughout state of the art Bose sound-docks, extra long and wide massage tables, rich burgundy and bronze trimmed bathrobes, raffia-woven slippers, plush towels and signature spa amenities.

The Anantara Spa opens 10.00am-9.00pm daily and offers a menu of body and beauty treatments for men and women including reflexology, manicure and pedicures, facials and body conditioning scrubs.

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