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The Departure Lounge

The Departure Lounge
In Insights

Changi airport launches new online concierge service for travellers

changi-airport

On Monday, Changi Airport Group (CAG) launched a new online concierge service for travellers planning to travel to Singapore by air.

  • changi-airport

The new Safe Travel Concierge service lets passengers book their on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test and check that they have completed all pre-travel requirements for entry into Singapore, said CAG. 

“Instead of searching different websites to apply for their pre-travel documents, passengers can easily access the information and forms through STC,” it said. 

Passengers can simply add their upcoming trips after registering for a Safe Travel Concierge account. Depending on their profile and trip details, they will be shown a customised list of pre-travel requirements to complete before flying to Singapore.

Besides booking their on-arrival PCR tests, they can also access services such as the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s electronic arrival card and health declaration form through the online concierge. 

Registration for an account is free and passengers can register for one on safetravel.changiairport.com

The Departure Lounge
In Insights, News

Travellers flying to Singapore can use IATA travel pass from May

IATA Travel Pass

Passengers travelling to Singapore by air will be able to use the International Air Transport Association (IATA) travel pass from May 1, as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and IATA. 

  • IATA Travel Pass
  • IATA Travel Pass

Passengers will be able to share their pre-departure COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results with their airline during check-in and on-arrival at the immigration checkpoints at Changi Airport, said CAAS and IATA on Monday (Apr 5). 

“This is part of an ongoing collaboration between CAAS and IATA to facilitate seamless and efficient travel through digital certificates of COVID-19 tests,” they said. 

The IATA travel pass is a mobile app that can be used by passengers to obtain and store their COVID-19 test results from accredited laboratories. 

Last month, Singapore Airlines (SIA) tested IATA’s travel pass on passengers travelling from Singapore to London between Mar 15 and Mar 28. The airline said the app was well received by their customers and noted that they were open to using the app for international travel in the future. 

Following SIA’s trials, CAAS and IATA said Singapore’s health and border control authorities will accept the travel pass as a valid form of presentation of COVID-19 pre-departure tests for entry into the country. 

“The information presented on the IATA travel pass will be in a format that satisfies Singapore’s prevailing COVID-19 pre-departure test requirements for entry into Singapore,” said the authorities, adding that they will be working on further enhancements to the travel pass. 

This includes enabling QR code scanning by immigration officers. Back-end transmission of health credentials from the travel pass to the airlines and immigration authorities’ systems for pre-boarding and pre-arrival clearance will be included, as well as including digital vaccination certificates on the travel pass. 

The travel pass will be available for download in the second half of April and is currently being trialled by more than 20 airlines, including SIA. 

Those who are travelling to Singapore and intend to use the travel pass should check with the airline they are travelling with for eligibility to use the travel pass, said CAAS and IATA. 

The Departure Lounge
In Destinations, Experience

Bucketlist: Scenic drives across Scotland

scotland-bucketlist

Imagine a drive through glens and mountains where rival clans battled for supremacy; walking along rugged coastlines and spotting dolphins playing in the firth; touching ancient stones that are older than the pyramids; learning the hidden secrets of compact cities on a guided walking tour; enjoying the sights of UNESCO cities of music, design, literature and world heritage; savouring fresh seafood and beef straight from the land; landscapes filled with endless opportunities for adventure.

  • scotland-bucketlist

Scotland has all the essential ingredients for the perfect road trip. Beautiful ever-changing scenery, incredible attractions and welcoming towns and villages. All you need is a vehicle, an amazing playlist and some great company!

When touring Scotland by car (or camper or bike), your route can vary in length; trips can be as short or as long as you like. You could easily spend a week or two touring a large area of the country, or explore a region over a weekend – no matter what you choose to do, you’re guaranteed to have the best road trip around Scotland.

Plan a road trip around Scotland to see some of our most awesome sights. Explore the dramatic mountains of Glen Coe, skirt the eastern coastline to Dunnottar Castle, wind your way along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, or venture on a road trip around the west coast of Scotland for amazing island views and culture.

If you’re planning a UK road trip, adding Scotland to your travel plans would not go amiss! If you’re touring the north of England, stop by our southern regions to admire incredible landscapes, bags of ancient history, fascinating culture and more.

Keep reading to find out more about driving in Scotland and all the essential information you need to know to plan your amazing road trip around Scotland.

Scotland offers all this in abundance, and VisitScotland is ready to help you discover more!

The Departure Lounge
In Insights, News

California’s Carlsbad Flower Fields welcome visitors with full blooms

Carlsbad-flower-fields

Spring has arrived in many parts of the United States of America. While Cherry Blossom trees reach peak bloom in Washington, D.C., people in California are taking advantage of ‘The Flower Fields’ in Carlsbad.

  • Carlsbad-flower-fields
  • Carlsbad-flower-fields

People are taking pictures amid waist-high blossoms in every imaginable hue of orange, pink, yellow and purple at California’s famous Flower Fields in Carlsbad as it opened to the public.

The fields are made up of almost 50 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers.

The attraction was closed for most of 2020, due to pandemic-related restrictions, but plummeting coronavirus cases and California’s move to the orange tier of lockdown restrictions means the fields can once again welcome a limited number of visitors.

The fields, 34 miles (55 km) north of San Diego, showcase more than 70 million flowers, creating an annual spectacle when they bloom.

The Flower Fields, which are open to the public until May 9, are also a working farm that sells flowers, which end up at florists and supermarkets.

The Departure Lounge
In Insights, News

Marriott Docklands: Move over mundane

Marriott Meldl Bar

Melbourne’s growth as a premier destination for events and tourism is once again highlighted with the recent development of Marriott Docklands, part of the mixed-use Docklands project; District Docklands, a recent showcase of new waterside restaurants, bars and shopping.

  • Marriott Meldl Bar
  • Marriott Meldl Entrance

Totem Group recently had the pleasure of scouring the luxury landmark courtesy of Marriott Docklands in an exclusive all-access pass, ushered through two petal shaped interlinked towers to a light infused foyer formed with graceful curves. The bold property is another lustrous design by DKO architecture, reflecting the tastes of the next generation of travellers.

Taking its design cues in a blend of inspiration from Australia’s fashion capital and the yachts moored on the docks, the first five star property to hit Docklands offers a reprieve from the visual noise of daily life. An innovative and sophisticated space awaits, detailed with the functionality of a modern traveller in mind, providing 189 contemporary fitted rooms with 24-hour room service and dedicated ‘M Club’ floors, a space away from the world, curated to unwind, refocus or work privately.

Sophistication throughout the property further expands to its meeting and event spaces, with the ‘promenade’, featuring floor to ceiling windows and cutting-edge technology, equipped with vertical sound absorbing partitioning system allowing 3 separate flexible spaces. Accommodating 200 people in theatre style and 96 in cabaret, with two adjoining rooms for up to five break-out spaces, making an ideal setting for small-mid sized groups.

More intimate and unique displays of fine features are enhanced in the meetings and events space with fairy lights installed in the ceiling and access to the outdoor terraces.

The real showstopper however can be found on level 15, wrapped around the curved building, the 20m wet edge resort-style infinity pool with adjoining bar and sky high views for group size of up to 80 guests, has you feeling a little less edgy Melbourne and a lot more Singaporean sleek. “It has an unparalleled feel to the property. For a moment it was almost as if I wasn’t in Australia” – Melissa Byron, Totem Group.

The Departure Lounge
In Insights

Inside Virgin Australia’s Lounge of the future

Recently, Virgin Australia opened its Adelaide Lounge to Frequent Flyers. Designed by Brisbane’s WMK Architecture, the 283-seat Adelaide Lounge completes Virgin Australia’s network of seven domestic lounges across major airports around Australia. All future Lounge refurbishments around the domestic network will be done in line with this new and fresh design thinking.

  • VA Lounge
  • VA Lounge

The Lounge is true to the Virgin Australia brand, creating a warm, authentic, and inviting environment for frequent flyers.

The contemporary design includes a breeze block feature wall upon entry, with canopy ceilings, before ceramic tiling leads guests into a large light-filled space, with the centre walkway leading guests to numerous dining and seating areas. Ambient lighting, bright greenery and Australian sustainable furniture completes the Lounge, making it a relaxed, inviting, and uncomplicated place, to refresh and recharge in a delightfully Virgin way.

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the new lounge was the first of many new and exciting products for customers following the airline’s re-launch.

“We are continuing to write a new chapter at Virgin Australia and we’re incredibly focussed on creating great experiences for our guests,” said Ms Hrdlicka.

“We know our capital city lounges are highly-valued by our frequent flyers and we’re reimagining the experience in a very Virgin way. Not only is the new Adelaide Lounge the best airline lounge at Adelaide Airport, but it is fun, relaxed, and a place that everyone will feel welcome and comfortable.

 

Adelaide Lounge features

The Coffee Bar: An eye-catching central café seating area, transforming from a place to unwind over a coffee during the day, turning into a wine bar at night.

The Cellar Door Hub: With some of Australia’s most awarded wineries on the doorstep of Adelaide Airport, Virgin Australia has created a feature space for South Australian wineries to bring their cellar door to the Lounge for seasonal wine tasting.

Distinct dining areas: Separate dining areas with diverse functionality have been built adjacent to servery areas to cater to all guest’s eating preferences, including large social tables, and banquette seating for more private dining.

Lounge seating areas:

The Library: A dedicated work area dubbed The Library, features workstations with PCs, printing facilities, power sockets, and desk lamps, offering a functional environment to work on the fly (work spaces continue to be available throughout COVID-19).

The Gallery Lounge: a chill-out zone adjacent to The Library, complete with lounge chairs and a large flat-screen television.

The Sunroom: With a mixture of cosy seating arrangements, it is the perfect space to sit with a loved one, friend or colleague in comfort.

The Long Stay: Closely located next to the servery, the Long Stay is tucked away from the main entrance and provides guests with an inviting space, with a wide variety of seating options.

Enhanced Lounge menu

Virgin Australia has also launched a new and fresh menu for guests, featuring a selection of sandwiches, salads, wraps and healthy snacks, prepared on site. An enhanced menu will be implemented at all Virgin Australia lounges in the coming weeks.

In an Australian airline first, Virgin Australia is also trialling a food ordering system, offering guests end-to-end table service. Initially available in Adelaide and Melbourne, guests will be able to order food and beverages directly to their seat or table by simply scanning a QR code and placing an order on their phone.

The advancement will not only provide a seamless table service for guests, but it will reduce movement and further enhance the COVID-safe environment.

The Virgin Australia lounges in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth are now open. Virgin Australia is expected to open its seventh, and final domestic Lounge, in Canberra, in March.

The Departure Lounge
In Spotlight

Aurora Australis beckons this winter

africa-safari-co-tasmania

While the Northern Lights must wait… good news is the Southern Lights are yours to witness, experience and cherish… grab the opportunity to live it up under the spectacular Aurora Australis. Celebrate Australia and the blessed best of nature in the magical Tasmania this winter.

  • africa-safari-co-tasmania

Enjoy Tasmania while searching for the famous Southern Lights – the spectacular Aurora Australis. Enroute enjoy the beautiful city of Hobart and its many attractions, visit Hobart’s oldest vineyard at Moorilla, indulge in the fine tastes of the Huon Valley including treats from local providores, get in touch with nature at Bruny Island and discover the infamous Port Arthur and its historic site.

Twin share price per person from $3,950* | Extension package per person from $995*

The Search for the Southern Lights Tour includes:

  • Private touring with a local guide
  • Transport in a well-appointed vehicle
  • 6 nights’ accommodation
  • 6 x breakfast, 6 x lunch
  • Entry to MONA
  • Entry to Port Arthur
  • Entry to UnZoo Devil Sanctuary
  • Bruny Island Ferry
  • A range of tastings
  • 2-evenings guided night-time photography and National Parks Pass

*minimum 6 guests

Cradle Mountain Extension includes:

  • Private touring with a local guide
  • Transport in a well-appointed vehicle
  • 3 nights’ accommodation
  • 3 x breakfast, 3 x lunch
  • Entry to Devils@Cradle
  • Entry to Marakoopa Caves and National Parks

 

For detailed itinerary, click here

For reservations contact your Executive Edge Travel Designer on 1300 618 334 or email leisure@executiveedge.com.au to experience the edge on travel today.

The Departure Lounge
In Experience, Explore, Reviews, Spotlight

Three more reasons to head to Tasmania

Tasmania wine fest

Just head to Tassie and stay there.. if you need any more reasons than you already have, here are three fabulous events lined up to ensure soaking up the island spirit!

  • Tasmania wine fest
  • Tasmania wine fest

Vibrance Festival 2021

Vibrance Festival celebrates Tasmanian street art and culture.

Vibrance Festival is Tasmania’s first and only street art festival, dedicated to the painting of large-scale murals and offers a program of music, local food and beverages, street art tours, film nights, skateboarding demonstrations, public spray wall, markets and more.

In its third iteration, Vibrance Festival 2021 will paint 20+ murals, dotted along the length of Elizabeth Street, Hobart. Expect one of the town’s busiest streets to come alive with Tasmania’s best mural and street artists painting as you wander along the festival trail. Who knows what else you might find as you explore? Expect music in alleyways, pop-up events, tiny bars tucked away, as well as family-friendly spots to sit and watch or join in with some painting.

Vibrance aims to educate people on street art as a legitimate artform and activate the many unused spaces in Hobart’s urban environment. Largely free, Vibrance aims to be an accessible and inclusive event with something for all age groups.

For more details: https://www.vibrancefestival.com/

 

Tasmanian Wine Festival 2021

The second edition of the Tasmanian Wine Festival returns to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens February 26 – 28, 2021!

Explore the beauty of the gardens, whilst discovering and tasting the finest wines Tasmania has to offer. Follow the trail to find Tasmania’s best winemakers, waiting to give you rare insights into their wine and the winemaking process.

Some of the vineyards include Frogmore Creek, Observatory Hill Vineyard, Derwent Estate, Clover Hill Wines, Pooley Wines, Domaine Dawnelle, Wobbly Boot Vineyard and many more!

But what’s a great wine without great food, music and company?

Perhaps an oyster to enjoy with your sparkling, a burger or pizza with your red or some seafood with your white? Tasmania also welcomes some of the state’s best food producers and vendors.

The main stage will welcome local musicians, including Jay Jarome, Uncle Gus and The Rimshots and more yet to be announced. Dance the afternoon away or make yourself comfortable on the grass.

For more details: https://taswinefest.com.au/

Ten Days on the Island

Ten Days on the Island is Tasmania’s statewide international arts festival. Since 2001, Ten Days on the Island has celebrated Tasmania’s island culture, offering a platform on which to profile and promote Tasmania’s innovative, creative, and resourceful character and unique cultural identity. Every part of Australia is, always was and always will be, Aboriginal land. As a community gathering-place, a festival of arts, cultural exchange and celebration and as a site for the sharing of ideas and stories, Ten Days on the Island pays respect to the palawa – original owners and cultural custodians – of all the lands and waters across lutruwita (Tasmania) upon which our Festival takes place.

In 2021, they celebrate 21 years of Ten Days on the Island’s 20th anniversary. The new Festival model, curated by internationally renowned Artistic Director Lindy Hume, will deliver an epic 10-day adventure over three weekends in the three regional heartlands of Tasmania. Local projects and artists will intersect with a dynamic national and international program, designed to complement and amplify bold Tasmanian creativity.

The organisers’ commitment to regional Tasmania is strong and proud, bringing artists and communities together to share arts experiences in familiar and surprising environments right across their extraordinary island.

For more details: https://www.tendays.org.au/

The Departure Lounge
In Reviews, Spotlight

A by Adina opens in Canberra

A by Adina Canberra

Toga Far East (TFE) Hotels has opened its very first A by Adina in Canberra, marking the global debut of the Adina Apartment Hotels premium brand.

  • A by Adina Canberra
  • A by Adina Canberra
  • A by Adina Canberra

The soft opening was marked with a ribbon cutting, ahead of the official brand and hotel launch scheduled for February. The hotel’s general manager, Jelena Bojanic, was in attendance along with dignitaries including Canberra Airport CEO, Stephen Byron, and TFE Hotel’s own ACT/NSW regional general manager, Emma Hynes.

Operating across four levels, the Bates Smart-designed apartment hotel will play a key role in the strategy to enliven Canberra’s CBD. Featuring 130 apartments, a gymnasium and a 24/7 service concierge, guests can “stay their way” at A by Adina, as the hotel promises a one-of-a-kind experience.

Ms Bojanic said all guests have their stay tailored to them the moment they step into the hotel.

A by Adina is located in Canberra’s city centre, 400 metres from the National Convention Centre Canberra and 500 metres from Canberra Centre. The hotel is also near some of Canberra’s best dining and retail options along with new retail tenants, including Arc Café by Redbrick opening in February, Mu Omakase & Cicada Bar opening in April, and Meat and Wine Co opening in May. The precinct also features its own Melburnian-style laneway, connecting to Canberra Theatre Centre.

With chocolates and a bottle of wine on arrival and a 1pm check out, along with the flexibility to change booking one day before arrival, TFE Hotel CEO, Antony Ritch, said A by Adina sets a new precedent.

TFE Hotels has officially launched their premium A by Adina hotel brand today, and with it the concept of ‘hotel living’, both of which are set to elevate TFE Hotels’ beloved Adina Hotels brand into a class of its own. A by Adina Canberra open and A by Adina Sydney opening April 2021.

The Departure Lounge
In Reviews, Spotlight

In a class of its own – W Melbourne

W Melbourne

Melbourne’s first luxury lifestyle hotel with its rebellious Flinders Lane address, W Melbourne opened in February 2021 and takes its design cues from the streets of Australia’s cultural capital.

  • W Melbourne
  • W Melbourne
  • W Melbourne
  • W Melbourne

Holding the back-lane entrance keys to what’s New/Next in the city and revealing a playground where the early risers to the late-night revellers can turn up the tracks in this truly 24/7 city.

Extending the laneway culture inside, 294 chic rooms and suites peel back the layers and revel in the city’s creative history. 828 square metres of ultra-modern event space will set the stage for spectacular events.

Vibrant restaurants and bars will amp up the experience; with WARABI set to shake up Japanese dining, Lollo to take you from day, night to beyond with modern Melbourne menu, Curious will be the bar to see and be seen in and Culprit a café come wine bar will serve up your double shot latte, to that afternoon spritz. Detox in the state-of-the-art FIT gym then detox with a dip and a sip in the WET® pool, all whilst soaking up the city skyline views.

Here is a sneak peek into W – Melbourne’s first luxury lifestyle hotel.

  • Location: 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
  • Rooms & Suites: 294 (including 29 suites)
  • Events: Great Room @ 320 banquet style and 4 breakout spaces from 20 – 90 persons
  • Dining: 5 x unique dining and bar spaces
  • WET & FIT: 24 / 7 health club & pool

When you book W through Executive Edge Travel, you will have access to the MI-Lux Luminous benefits:

  • Complimentary a la carte breakfast for two in Lollo (Collins Ground Level)
  • Welcome amenity
  • Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi
  • Early Check-in/late Check-out, based on availability.
  • VIP status provided
  • Priority for complimentary room upgrade (based on availability upon arrival).

Contact Executive Edge Travel (https://www.executiveedge.com.au/contact-us/) to book your stay.

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