The Lowe Road

LAN Airlines of Chile, and Tam Airlines of Brazil announced that they will be merging in a similar fashion to KLM and Air France. On the surface of the two airlines will remain separate in branding and route structure, while merging management, cargo flight operations and aircraft orders in an effort to save money in an industry that has lost billions.

While this airline merging is certainly not unique, considering the recent merger of Delta with Northwest and United with Continental, these two South American airlines belong in completely separate alliances – what is going to happen to their membership in the OneWorld alliance for LAN, and the Star Alliance for Tam?  

The upper management of both alliances are surely holding their breaths:  if LAN Airlines pulls out of the One World alliance and joins the Star Alliance, or vice versa, the landscape of airline alliances will have changed dramatically. In fact, it may mean that airlines as  we know it are irrelevant – if in effect a single carrier has 1 foot in 2 alliances. 

There are rumors that the airlines may be joining Sky Team, or even forming a new alliance altogether.

 www.Lan.com

 www.Tam.com

Manhattan's vibrant Times Square welcomes a new hotel - the Intercontinental, which is not only an entirely new structure built from the ground up, it is also environmentally friendly with an expected silver LEED certification reflecting the use of local and recycled materials, not to mention two green roofs.

Located at 300 West 40th Street, the property is one of the newest hotels to be built in the city last 8 years. It boasts 607 guestrooms and upper rooms feature wall to ceiling glass windows

With no new buildings west towards the Hudson River allowed to be built taller than the Intercontinental, views from the upper rooms will remain as spectacular as they are now - with unobstructed views of 8th Avenue and central Manhattan.

With up to one in 15 New Yorkers battling bed bugs (most commonly known by travelers staying in fleapits in countries like India and Ethiopia, not the Big Apple) the city's health department is stepping in to fight the infestation; a portal is being set up (one for rats is already operational) to educate people as to what to do.

Up to 400,000 people have reported bed bugs in their homes, businesses, and the problem is seen as a result of more global travel.

Even retail spaces have not been immune to the problem - two SOHO retail stores recently closed due to bed bugs infesting their merchandise and were forced to turn away customers until the problem was solved.

One wonders how this will affect tourism numbers, as coming back from a New York vacation scratching rows of bites left by bed bugs is not going to entice people the Big Apple - no matter how low the USD goes against other major currencies.

For 17 years and counting, Carlos Melia has worked in the travel business, a career that has stretched across numerous continents and aspects of the industry - everything from airlines to hotels and more.

Now running his own travel agency tailored to the gay market, he is an active blogger, non stop traveler and with the recent passing of gay marriage in Argentina, is bound to be very busy, as visitors to that beautiful South American country will surely grow. With services that cater for FIT's, groups, and more, Carlos Melia is the premier expert on the fantastic destination that is Argentina, along with Chile, Peru, Uruguay and New York City. 

Below is an interview with Carlos recently conducted by Dave Lowe in Buenos Aires: 

1). Carlos, can you explain a bit more about your concept 'BEEN THERE DONE THAT'? and what are the qualities that makes a Gay Travel Expert?

( CM by Carlos Melia ) • Sure.... BEEN THERE DONE THAT is the main commitment from me - Carlos Melia - to my clients, and also what differentiates travel agents like you or me.... from simple ticketing or booking agents. All travel services, products, destinations I showcase and offer to my clients have previously been reviewed, tested and screened personally by me. This is the added value that together with updated information makes my offer unique.

(2). Why should a visitor to BA make time to visit the rest of Argentina, like Patagonia?

( CM by Carlos Melia ) • Because Buenos Aires is only the main gate to Argentina. Like every big city in the world, has over the years become more and more cosmopolitan, missing a bit of the true soul of what truly defines Argentina. We are a country of immigrants, and everywhere you look around you will find that... the south, the north, the central region has its own heritage and set themselves apart from other regions in the country.... not only because of the tourist attractions, natural wonders... but also by the culture, the traditions, the flavors, the cuisine among many others. Patagonia is a trademark shared together with Chile, and is one of the many prides of our glorious country.

(3). What are the top 5 Must DO and SEE things for your visit to Buenos Aires?

( CM by Carlos Melia ) • OH GOD this is very personal... but to me would be.... (1). San Telmo Antiques Market, (2). A day in San Antonio de Areco, (3). El Tigre and the Suburbs.... one of the last Deltas still growing in the world, (4). The cemetery of La Recoleta and (5). Puerto Madero.

(4). What kinds of services can you offer to first time visitors to Buenos Aires?

( CM by Carlos Melia ) • I enjoy showing first time visitors, the city through the eyes of a local person. To explore Buenos Aires by the hand of a true porteño, not focusing into details, dates or history, staying away from the tourist cliches, learning on how the city has developed through the years and how a local flows through it. Sharing those hidden gems that only a local expert can help you find. 

(5.) What is the current situation in the boutique hotel scene in BA? the rest of Argentina?

( CM by Carlos Melia ) • It is quite an exciting moment, more over for those like you and me... have a fetich for Boutique and Small Hotels. Buenos Aires and the rest of Argentina, have had over the last 5 years an exponential growth on this type of properties, some by locals inspired on their own travel experiences worldwide, some by foreigners that have fallen in love with our country and have decided to move here and start their own businesses. I would risk to say that Argentina. same as Uruguay, nowadays has some of the most interesting Boutique Hotel scenes in the world. Just to mention a few I would strongly recommend Palermitano Hotel ( Palermo SOHO, Buenos Aires ), Rio Hermoso Mountain Hotel ( San Martin de los Andes ), Estancia Las Carreras ( Tafi del Valle, Tucuman ), El Cortijo ( Cachi, Salta ), La Casa de los Limoneros and/or Casa los Jazmines ( Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay ) among many many others that I would be more that eager to share with your readers upon request.

To make a booking with Carlos, visit his website: www.carlosmelia.com

To follow Carlos on Twitter, click here: www.twitter.com/carlosmelia

Carlos' blog includes hotel reviews and more: www.carlosmeliablog.com

Divided cleanly in two by a pair of railroad tracks, Palermo is one of Buenos Aires' largest neighborhoods. While the eastern half of Palermo Soho has become the city's epicenter and stomping ground for BA's pretty young things, the western half of Palermo Hollywood has remained slower, calmer, a throwback to the feel of what the entire neighborhood felt like 20 years ago.

Soon that is about to change. With the opening of more restaurants and bars, particularly along Honduras street, HOME Hotel in Palermo Hollywood (named because many movie sound stages are located here) 

Rooms are furnished with plush carpets, quirky wallpapers, and large queen size beds, with rooms that face the street equipped with window boxes full of flowers. The lobby feels like a stylish living room from the 1960's with mid century lamps, couches and sofas lined up next to a glass window with a view of a wall fountain that dribbles down to the spa, in the basement. There, treatment rooms serve up massages, pedicures, facials and more in a style that is rare in BA - something you would see in a top notch hotel in Bangkok. The jet lag recovery treatment is very popular!

The hotel closes once a year for refurbishment, and this means the property retains a fresh, recently-renovated feeling sadly lacking in most properties who look at the numbers first and their guests pleasure later. Not so with HOME - the staff, the rooms and the amenities are top rate and with the neighborhood just beginning to develop in terms of restaurants and boutiques, guests can experience old Palermo right outside their room. 

A large garden is home to a pool and outdoor dining area, where guests can take their breakfast if the weather is warm (which is most of the time in BA)

For more information, visit www.homebuenosaires.com

 

Together, San Telmo and La Boca are the birthplace of Buenos Aires, and no other barrio reflects this Tangopolis' personality better than the former: San Telmo is quintessentially BA, full of belle epoque architcture, cobble stoned plazas, crumbling churches and atmospheric bodegas that crowd this small neighborhood. 

Just one block from Plaza Dorrego, the heart of San Telmo, you will find Mansion Vitraux. Impeccably decorated (each room is completely unique and features high ceilings, silk drapes, and claw toothed bath tubs with massive pie plate shower heads) the property is housed within a historic building.

The moniker 'Art De Vivre' is the hotel's mantra, and can be felt throughout the hotels rooms and public areas. Room service is 24/7 and Wi Fi is free. 

With just 12 rooms, they are numbered, and also named: Glam, Style, etc, and some face the atrium where a trickling wall fountain calms the nerves. 

Touches of the old property remain, including the antique undulating ceiling pattern, and the massive stained glass roof above the atrium, made of Vitraux glass, which gave the hotel its name. A spa offers a wide array of treatments to guests. 

Free wine tasting is offered to guests each night, and a delicious Argentinian breakfast buffet is served in the sunken first floor, beneath the stunning stained glass ceiling. Though nightlife outside the property is limited in San Telmo, this hotel is perfect for couples seeking more seclusion and privacy; the rooftop pool is spectactular, with views of a nearby church and the rooftops of San Telmo.

For bookings, visit www.mansionvitraux.com

 

One of the cornerstones of the Buenos Aires experience is to watch tango. Whether on a street corner, plaza, or on a stage, the exquisite foot work may look easy but is a tangled ballet of fast pivots and glides that mesmerizes.

I must admit that I find any kind of staged show in any country cringeworthy, but the El Querandi Tango show in San Telmo - set in the neighborhood (along with la Boca) where the dance originated - is first rate.

Choose to sit for dinner or just the show itself. Either way prepare to see a show that takes you through the immigrant and brothel roots all the way to its current position as Argentina's greatest export. The dancers at El Querandi bring no attitude but passion to their performance.

Here is a sample of the foot work up close:

 

For bookings, visit the website: www.querandi.com.ar

Barrio Norte is smack in the center of Buenos Aires. Equidistant to Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo, much of the city is reachable on foot or SUBTE, which runs right through this bustling neighborhood of design stores, office buildings and residential blocks.

The Design cE Hotel is a boutique property situated in the middle of Barrio Norte and one that faces Plaza Rodruiguez Pena, a thickly landscaped park that offers stunning views through the rooms floor to ceiling windows. Hidden behind flowing, elegant drapes, all the windows opened, letting in the sounds of this fascinating city.

Rooms at the Design cE are freshly decorated in soothing whites, with cool concrete floors and modern bathrooms. Amenities come in the property's signature orange, and Wi Fi is free and easily connected to throughout the property.

The hotel's top floor is home to a stunning duplex suite, which is perfect for families and those needing some extra room. The view from there is simply stunning, with the lush park at your feet and the metropolis of Buenos Aires stretching to the horizon. No other hotel in BA can boast of that!

Art installations decorate the sleek lobby, and if you are lucky, an artist may be completing a new piece of work during your stay as you sip drinks in the Design cE's basement bar. As a popular wartering hole for celebrities and business types, the drinks menu changes daily on the colorful chalkboard.

The front desk staff at the Design cE were one of the highlights of my stay: extremely helpful in suggesting places to visit and eat, they avoided the touristy traps most concierges are programmed to repeat, and instead, offered me personal suggestions from their own excursions around their city.

Love eating eggs and bacon at 10 PM? Breakfast is served 24/7 in the Design cE's lobby, which is a first for any hotel I have ever stayed in.

For reservations, click here: www.designce.com

 

    

 

Walk anywhere in Buenos Aires and you will see them – stencils and graffiti street art that cover walls and public spaces with tropical pinks, vibrant purples, and aircraft orange. Ignored by bustling commuters, these quirky pieces of art flourished after the 2001 economic crisis, when artists took to the streets to paint uplifting messages for a population that had seen the value of its savings accounts decimated.

Today these stencilos and wall art are attracting more international attention, and graffitimundo takes a closer look at these colorful, whimsical, and eclectic expressions from artists with names like Pum Pum, Vomito Attack, Nerf and Gualicho (which means to ‘cast a spell upon’ in Spanish).

   

Everything from upscale restaurants to power stations has been transformed by these artists, who tag their work with initials and more to communicate with other artists. As the graffitimundo walk unfolds, tour leader Marina Charles explains the complex relationships between the artists, who either respect and admire other artists work by adding their signature, or revile rivals by sweeping in overnight and painting over an entire wall with a fresh design that can set off another counter attack.

Some stencils transform the shape of the objects they cover into something else (robots for example, using ventilation slats as eyes) while others protect those nearby: since the

In a world where public spaces are sterile and cookie cutter, the walls of Buenos Aires, like the lifestyle in the city itself, is a refreshing change from the McMallls sprouting up everywhere these days.

   The stencilo in Buenos Aires is a perfect metaphor to describe the city – it is a is place of many layers, and as soon as you are aware of them, stencilos will suddenly seem to be everywhere. No matter where you walk in this Latin metropolis, messages will whisper and scream at you from walls and buildings, amusing you, confusing you, deploring you and frightening you.

All in the name of artistic expression.

graffitimundo tours take place twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing at 3.30 PM from a street corner in Chacarita.

www.graffitimundo.com

On July 1 2010, LAN Airlines launched a new flight between San Francisco (SFO) and Lima (LIM), Peru. This 4 x a week service means that SFO offers nonstop flights to four continents. LAN’s newest connection has been exciting news for Northern California travelers, who until now needed to transit via Los Angeles to avoid Miami’s overcrowded airport for flights to South America.

After its foundation in Santiago, Chile in 1929, LAN was known as LanChile, the country’s flag carrier. In 2004 the carrier re-branded its image and brought domestic subsidiaries in Argentina, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador under the LAN name to form South America’s largest airline network. Since then, LAN has grown into a world class carrier with membership in the One World Alliance.

Flight 2609 from SFO flies on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and is operated with a two class 767-300ER aircraft, one of 28 in LAN’s long haul fleet. The efficient ground staff at SFO ensures an on time departure from the G gates in San Francisco’s airy international terminal.

Once onboard, economy class passengers enjoy a spacious 2 – 3 – 2 seat configuration (2 – 4 – 2 is a more common configuration on the 767) with a generous 32 inch seat pitch. Business class seats are spaced 53 inches apart in a 2 – 2 – 2 configuration.

All seats are outfitted with electrical chargers for laptops and iPods, along with a touch screen personal television (PTV). Movies, travel programs, music CD’s and useful guides to LAN destinations can be paused, fast forwarded or re-winded. Earphones are ergonomically designed and were comfortable even after several hours of use.

The team of ten LAN in-flight cabin crew began the drinks service soon after take-off, followed by a full meal served with a special selection of Chilean wine. The crew was friendly and professional, and was more than happy to serve as many drinks as you wished. Families traveling with children will be pleased to know LAN distributes toys and games before take-off to help reduce boredom on the long flight, which lasts almost nine hours.

Flight 2609 arrives just before midnight into Lima, where onward connections to Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Rio De Janeiro are made via a short walk through the modern terminal. Passenger re-screening is efficient and smooth, and even flights with connection times of 45 minutes are a breeze. After passing through the security line, I immediately boarded my flight to Buenos Aires on another 767-300ER that touched down at Ministro Pistarini airport just before dawn. I had been traveling for just over fourteen hours, almost three hours less than had I traveled through the East coast.

After a week in the Argentine capital, I made my way back to Buenos Aires’ international airport and once again found the check-in staff courteous and efficient, and was informed the flight was on time. Fifteen hours later and another brief transit via Lima, my plane landed just after sunrise at San Francisco, extremely impressed with the service and efficiency of LAN, and eager to try their service again.

Note: Miles flown with LAN can be accrued with American, Iberia, Qantas, and British Airways frequent flyer members. In 2008, LAN was voted by passengers as the best airline in South America.

Future expansion plans for the carrier include Paris, France, which LAN will serve from September 2010 with an Airbus 340 aircraft as an extension to its existing Santiago - Madrid service.

For bookings, visit www.lan.com

Having recently been invited to Buenos Aires thanks to LAN Airlines after their launch of a new direct flight between San Francisco and South America, I have much to report on the hospitality scene in the Argentine capital.

The Palermitano Hotel is located in the colorful neighborhood of Palermo Soho in Buenos Aires, and it is destined to become a classic for visitors to this wonderful Latin city.  

Opened in March 2010 with 16 rooms, the hotel is locatedon the site of a former private house and has been designed to retain a warm feeling throughout the rooms and common areas. Antique floor tiles and dark woods give the hotel a masculine feel, while the amenities in the rooms have been created with a lemongrass scent, adding a touch of exotic Asia.

The experience starts the moment you arrive - the lobby windows have been decorated with stunning beveled glass windows reflecting the gorgeous South American light that Argentina is famous for, and at night seen from outside, the lobby seems to glow.

All rooms feature gorgeous parquet wood floors and Carrera marble bathrooms with his and hers sinks. And unlike most hotels that decorate in a style that is more flash than substance, the furniture, art and design of The Palermitano are first rate and reflect the hotel’s philosophy.

Breakfast is served room service style for all guests, which is a definite plus – taking your coffee with other guests in a common area is a pet peeve of mine and the Palermitano delivers a fantastic spread of media lunas, delicious coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and a generous amount of Argentinian Dulce de Leche to enjoy.

A roof top pool offers a 360 degree view over Buenos Aires and is equipped with deck chairs and tables – I can’t wait to return in summer to enjoy the pool and views!

The Palermitano will open a Peruvian restaurant on site in late 2010, with indoor and outdoor seating.

There are many accommodation options in Palermo, but the Palermitano’s location on Uruiarte Street is exceptional, it is just a couple of blocks from Plaza Serrano, yet this neighborhood retains the feel of Old Palermo.

For reservations, visit www.palermitano.biz

 

One of the world's most iconic airport structures is set to re-open after a $12 million dollar renovation and earthquake retrofit.

LAX's Theme Building has stood in the middle of the airport's terminal since 1961, and is a fantastic example of mid century design. So futuristic is the structure that it even inspired scenery in the popular Jetsons cartoon series.

Initially the structure will be open to the public from 8 to 5 weekends only from July 10th.

www.encounterlax.com

Smoking South America is one hop closer to the deserts of Arabia with Qatar Airways recent inaugural flight DOHA --- Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. 

The route is served with a 777-200 aircraft.

It took Qatar just 13 years to reach its goal of becoming a 6 continent airline, a coveted boast most airlines could only dream of; Qantas, British Airways, Emirates and Malaysian are a few to be able to back up the talk with alot of walk - and United is about to be added to this list with service to Accra, Ghana in late 2010. 

www.qatarairways.com

Dubai may be served by one of the worlds largest and most modern airports, but the emirate has recently opened a new airport - open only to cargo now through March 2011 - that is 40 kilometers away from the city's current air facility smack in the middle of the desert. 

As a part of Dubai World Central, a massive residential, shopping and business complex, the airport features A380 enabled runways that are 4.5 kilomteres long (2.5 miles) and 800 meters apart.

The cost? 82 billion USD. Cost to the environment? Priceless - untold tons of carbon will be emitted into the atmosphere just to keep this project, among the worlds largest - air conditioned and watered and cleaned.

The airport is expected to handle more passengers than the current two world's busiest: Chicago and Atlanta - combined, a staggering 160 million people. Thats almost 10 Australias. 10 New York Citys. 160 Alaskas. Yikes. 

Wanna feel like a rock star? Turn up in China and you might get the chance. In the country's ever accelerating economic growth, being white is an advantage, and local companies have even rented foreigners to pose as business partners and potential investors to boost their credibility. 

 

For the full story, click here www.cnn.com

 

 

'From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.'

- Jacques Yves Cousteau

 

June 11th 1910

This Friday marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of a true planetary hero - Jacques Yves Cousteau, in  Saint-Andre-de-Cubzac, France. Credited with developing the open circuit scuba tank - his invention led the way to an industry where millions of divers around the world have been certified.

 The Silent World - a book published in in 1953 - was Cousteau's first effort in marine discovery, and 120 documentaries followed through the 1960's and 1970's, entrancing a generation of viewers into what lay beneath the sea.

his legacy remains in the form of a marine conservation organization, The Calypso Society, which boasts 300,000 members, and with increasing environmental destruction.

www.cousteau.org

'People protect what they love.'

 
- Jacques Yves Cousteau

A draw between host nation South Africa and Mexico has launched Africa's first World Cup.

Awarded to South Africa six years ago, organizers scrambled to complete the stadiums in time while airlines and hoteliers had to add extra zeroes on their calculators to accommodate the increases in their fares and rates - eager to make a killing on the monthlong competition that was expected to draw fans from around the world.

While the numbers of fans in country for the competition has not exceeded expectations, South Africa will see a boost in tourism for at least 2 years following the last goal scored on July 11th. Safaris, shark diving, wine tasting, trekking and more are on offer in this country that straddles two oceans, and despite concerns over safety in terms of violent crime, South Africa still has some of the continents most stunning beaches and wildlife viewing opportunities.

www.visitsouthafrica.com

www.southafrica.net

www.worldcup2010southafrica.com

 

 

2010 is Argentina's Bicentennial Year and in the spirit of celebrating the country's 200th birthday, the South American nation's national airline, Aerolineas Argentias (AR) has refreshed the carriers look across its fleet.

And none too soon: for years the carrier flew with a Sovietesque brand image that was literally a Flying ToothBrush, see below for the old (top) and the new (bottom): 

 

 

 

 

 

 No long haul planes have yet to be repainted, but the refresh across the airlines fleet is expected to continue through the end of 2010 and beyond.

www.aerolineas.com.ar

June 8th 2010 marks World Oceans Day where divers, scientists and others concerned about the ocean's future urge the public to become aware of issues pertaining to the sea and the pressures on it for fishing and other commercial purposes.

With tens of thousands of gallons of oil gushing through a wound in the sea beneath the Gulf of Mexico, the day cannot come at a more critical time.

Some frightening facts:

+Over 100 million sharks are killed each year just for their fins

+An equivilent of the Exxon Valdez oil spill happens each calendar year around the world

+Millions of plastic bags choke wildlife and smother coral reefs when improperly discarded

+80% of the earths' coralreefs are under pressure from pollution and habitat destruction

Here are some organizations actively helping the earths oceans:

www.oceana.org

www.nature.org

www.coral.org