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Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2013
Posted: 11 April 2013 by Manual Burmberger
Upcoming Event - Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2013
The Arabian Travel Market is THE travel and tourism event unlocking business potential within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Richard Chapman and Alex Wood will be attending the 2013 show which will run from May 6 - 9 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
7 Reasons why we're visiting:
DISCOVER
2000+ products from over 70 destinations
INTERACT
Attend seminars, workshops and debates
LEARN
Industry announcements and live launches
CONNECT
Network at extravagant social functions
VIBRANT
High impact stands and presentations
PLAN
Plan ahead in challenging economic times
POTENTIAL
Unlock business potential in the region
Some words to the wise:
Brilliant for us Brits is that the international language of travel is English. Many of the travel agency staff are from the Indian sub-continent or from the Philippines and do not speak Arabic either. However, senior management are often either nationals of the GCC or other Arab speaking countries (Egyptians, Palestinians, Lebanese etc.). They will very often speak excellent English but it will undoubtedly be appreciated if you can at least say a few words, so here's a short lesson:
"hello" (Marhabba)
"welcome" (Ahlan wa sahlan)
or the generic greeting of "peace" (salaam w'alikom).
This is, supposedly, especially appreciated from Brits whom the Arabs believe are singularly embarrassed when speaking any other language than English!
We'll try to make sure that Richard and Alex represent us well!!
LIVERPOOL IS JUST GRAND!
Posted: 2 April 2013 by Richard Chapman
For many Sport, Art, Music and Humour define what Liverpool is all about, and if you're arriving there in April you're in for a real treat.
We've struggled to pick out just a few of the many extraordinary events that seem commonplace in this amazing city. So starting with sport then and top of the bill has to be The Grand National running at Aintree on the 6th April with Liverpool Day and Ladies Day on the 2 days prior to the great event. For sporting aficionado's this just has to be on your bucket list! You could put a fiver on Join Together right now at 18 to 1 and go home with 90 quid in your pocket.
Away from the track it's a race to the finish line for Liverpool's Premiership clubs. Can Everton or Liverpool (at the time of writing lying 6th and 7th!) chase down Arsenal and Tottenham for a coveted European place. See the drama unfold before you at Anfield and Goodison Park through this crucial April period.
And speaking of upcoming dramatic events (eh, eh, tenuous or what?), Il Divo and the lovely Katherine Jenkins will be performing together for the very first time at the Echo Arena on Liverpool's waterfront on the 10th April for just one of many musical treats this summer season.
If you're after contemporary rather than classical however, how about taking in The Art of the Pop Video at FACT (the Foundation For Art & Creative Technology). With more than 70 videos celebrating pop culture continuing right through April this will be the first exhibition of its kind in the UK.
Of course no visit to Liverpool would be complete without paying homage to one of the city's musical greats, and as there is (currently) no Echo and the Bunnymen exhibition, you'll just have to do either the Cavern Club or The Beatles Hidden Gallery at Canada Boulevard! Both of these run throughout the year.
In terms of Liverpool's Unmissable, The Tate is right up there at the top of the list and April comes bearing not 3 but 4 wonderful seasonal gifts in the form of Thresholds (ultra contemporary) until the 7th, Beryl Bainbridge (iconic) until the 28th, Sylvia Sleigh (feminist heroine) and DLA Piper's Sculpture (modern) both right through to the end of the month. A notable AN Other is the 50 new works at The Walker gallery after which you may never want to see A Nother painting ever again!
If a little levity is a post-art requirement, then taking us from the sublime to the ridiculous is the wonderful Faulty Towers Dining Experience! Fun, abuse and occasionally even some service brought to you (if you're lucky!) by members of the Interactive Theatre International. Basil, Sybil and Manuela will be resident at the Atlantic Tower Hotel on Chapel Street from 26th to 28th April. You have been warned.
For a much more professional circus, the Moscow State Circus is in town until the 7th too!
And finally...there's one thing that absolutely, positively has to be done if you're in Liverpool...you just have to take the iconic Ferry 'cross the Mersey!
Calm down, calm down, it's only a bleedin' ferry!
For more information on what to do and where to stay in Liverpool why not check out our online city guide...
If you Like Art you are sooo gonna Love Glasgow!
Posted: 6 March 2013 by Richard Chapman
Glasgow's stunning mix of Victorian and Georgian splendour is it. And what's more it's cheap. Very. All of the public museums are free. Dealbreaker methinks.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh. You're aware of said personage, looming over the city like some Alex-Ferguson-of-old. Now revel in his doin's. At the Glasgow School of Art is best. House for an Art Lover next. Or Hill House at Helensburgh on the Clyde coast if you rented a car. If you're a glutton for Tosh take your punishment and some tea at the Willow Tea Rooms on Buchanan Street or one of the many other venerable institutions of the infusion on Sauchiehall Street.
So, moving on from the Mackintosh man. City Chambers. Monolithic. Iconic. Built in the glory days of Glasgow's colossal industrial past. Boasting a magnificent interior of marble, mosiacs and stained glass. Pay homage. Celebrate. Above all, Enjoy.
We continue.
You've just had a cuppa and are rejuvenated. Back in the artistic groove. Kelvingrove Museum and Art Galleries has dinosaurs, Egyptian artifacts and a famous elephant, or works by the Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists as well as Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross. It even has a Spitfire for heaven's sake. Are you still here?
You fancy a contemporary take, something clean and bright...you make your way down Buchanan Street to the Lighthouse, with its regular exhibitions, and brilliant gift shop.
You buy stuff.
A sense of enormous well being overwhelmes you. Joy. In a moment of mad euphoria you brave the viewing platform and are rewarded by a fantastic view over the City.
You realise you could have done the CCA or the GOMA, or gone into the Merchant City with its multitude of small contemporary galleries and the Glasgow Print Studio...and there's the Mitchell library...and the Hunterian museum...and the Burrell Collection in the south with its eclectic collection...the list goes on...thankfully there's a tomorrow.
You're cream crackered. A pint is calling you. Loudly. Afterwards you take to the once dangerous streets, to Finish the Cultural Tour with a trip to The Theatre.
What's it to be? The Kings, The Theatre Royal, The Tron vie for your patronage. You spurn the megaliths, the Norman Foster-designed Clyde Auditorium or Armadillo to you and me (for we are now Glaswegians in spirit)...and find yourself at the Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant city from whence comes the strains of masterful jazz. A Night looms large, and the spirits of Ferguson, Mackintosh, Burrell and The Others need appeasing!
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- Now back from @ATMDubai tired but successful. #dubai exceeded our expectations and we'll be back next year with comfy shoes!
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