The National

Winter tours around Thailand and into Vietnam and Cambodia, plus festive markets in the Czech Republic.

The Rosewood London hotel. Courtesy of Rosewood London

Oct 24, 2013

New trips to Thailand with On the Go Tours

The tour operator On the Go Tours has launched seven new group-tour itineraries for Thailand in time for the winter season. The shortest, "Time for Thailand", is 10 days and costs from US$1,989 (Dh7,306) per person based on two sharing, including sightseeing, most meals, accommodation and transport including internal flights but excluding international flights. It takes in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Sukhothai, Lampang, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The longest, Bangkok to Angkor Wat, is 25 days and costs from $5,000 (Dh18,365) per person, and encompasses Bangkok, northern Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. For more information visit www.onthegotours.com.

Christmas markets in Prague for less

Christmas markets (Vánocní trhy) in Prague open on November 30, allowing visitors to enjoy the capital of the Czech Republic gloriously decorated for winter with lights, Christmas trees, food stalls and carol singers. The main Christmas markets are held at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with smaller ones at Republic Square, Havel's Market, Peace Square and Tyl Square. For a limited period, Corinthia Hotel Prague is offering rooms from €82 (Dh412) per night, including breakfast and tax. For more information and to book, visit www.corinthia.com. Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Prague from the UAE.

Fly direct to Riga, Latvia and Moldova

Through a partnership with Air Baltic, Etihad Airways (www.etihad.com) will operate a direct route to Riga, the Latvian capital, from December 16. There will be four weekly return flights, with a choice of daytime or overnight travel.

From next month, flydubai (www.flydubai.com) will start flights to Chisinau, offering the first direct air link between the UAE and the Moldovan capital. Flights will commence on November 20 and will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays, with return fares from Dh1,675, including taxes.

New Rosewood hotel opens in London

The newest addition to London's luxury hotel scene opened this week in Holborn in the City of London. Sited in a handsome, renovated 1914 Edwardian Belle Époque building, the property has 262 rooms, 44 suites, a Sense spa, several bars and restaurants, meeting facilities and a ballroom. Introductory guest room rates, valid until March 31, 2014, start from £370 (Dh2,191) and suites from £995 (Dh5,893), including taxes, based on availability, and include a welcome amenity, Wi-Fi, use of a minibar, in-room films, laundry, English breakfast for two and, for suite stays, airport pickup. Visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/london for more info.

[ rbehan@thenational.ae ]