William Henry
Mountainous Snowdonia is home to England and Wales’ tallest peak, Snowdon. Outdoor enthusiasts such as ramblers, hikers, and climbers are drawn to the area for its diverse landscape.
However, many visitors fail to bring the required attire. Many times, individuals have attempted to scale Snowdon in sandals, prompting dispatchers to respond to calls of distress.
St. Martin’s House is a casual restaurant that serves a modern take on traditional British cuisine.
Aspirational Brands’ main restaurant, St. Martin’s House, an all-day restaurant located at Upper St. Martin’s Lane, debuted in March 2022. Its central West End location makes it a great choice for those who like visiting the area’s many theaters or other attractions.
The very British cruise company Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) is known for its reasonably priced itineraries on smaller ships that forgo the current cruise industry’s gimmicks.
Columbus, the largest ship in the fleet, can carry 1,400 passengers since the policy is successful.
This past week, the largest cruise ship to ever dock at the Essex port of Tilbury on the Thames was christened, with TV personality Angela Rippon serving as godmother and fireworks lighting up the night sky.
Columbus, The Ship
An old-school ship for individuals who prefer a relaxing cruise experience to the hectic atmosphere on board the new megaliners. She was first launched in 1987, and after being christened as Star Princess by Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn in 1989, she went on to serve as P&O’s old Arcadia, Ocean Village, and most recently, P&O Australia’s Pacific Pearl.
Teak decks and all, a multi-million-pound refurbishment has preserved the classic look while adding a contemporary twist.
The Low down
Not many cabins have balconies, but those that do are generous in size (with plenty of closet space) and tastefully updated in style. Capacity has decreased due to the addition of 150 single cabins, so there isn’t a mass exodus to Columbus. Both the Trumps & Aces, a tranquil refuge with lots of card tables, and the nautically-themed Columbus Lounge & Library (with ocean views over the front of the ship) are brand new additions.
Waterfront is the primary restaurant. Planters with extremely modern-looking synthetic grass divide the tables perfectly. The Chef’s Table (at additional cost) is nestled in the middle, surrounded by wine cabinets.
The city’s steakhouse-style Grill (Scottish prime rib-eye or scallops with fois gras butter) and the fusion curry restaurant both include menu items that cost extra. Plantation, the buffet with a decor that is part English seaside elegance, half Caribbean, and an on-deck eating space that curves around the rear of the ship, is a great spot to be at any time of day.
The Facilities
Two separate spaces, one with a pool in each, are separated by an outdoor performance platform on the deck, which is an open-air area with a green carpet of synthetic grass. There are seven bars (like the Victorian-themed Taverner’s Pub and the green-and-cream-themed Connexions next door) and six entertainment areas, including the two-level Palladium for nightly live shows like ballroom dancing extravaganzas and classical singers, and the circular Dome, an observatory by day and a nighttime haunt with a stage and dance floor.
A pint of London Pride bitter is £4.50, a brandy is £3, and a cappuccino is £1.60, so the prices are pretty affordable. Visit the Jade spa and gym, take a class at the Crafter’s Studio, or peruse the many retail options available throughout the day.
The Clincher
This is the perfect cup of tea for any tea lover. As a result of upscale tea merchant Whittard’s first deal with a cruise line, passengers will find high-quality breakfast blend teabags next to their cabin’s kettle, a full range of teas (including Marrakech Mint and others) in a charming wooden chest at the Plantation self-service, and the option to purchase a cup of tea to enjoy in one of the ship’s bars or lounges for an additional fee.
The Cruises
From a 2-night Amsterdam Break (from £299, departing October 2) to a 46-night Cuba, Central America, and Caribbean Experience (from £2,799, departing October 29), and even a 4-night Christmas market getaway (departing December 14, from £729, but with a buy-one-get-one-free deal) that includes stops in both Amsterdam and Hamburg, you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
Business travelers on British Airways flights will soon be able to relax in the new “Club Suite” seats, which were recently showcased.
The airline’s new “Club Suite” cabin has 1-2-1 arrangements of sumptuous flat-bed seats, direct aisle access, and a suite door for more privacy. Wi-Fi, massive in-flight entertainment displays measuring 18.5 inches, high-definition gate-to-gate programming, PC/USB power, and a vanity station and mirror are just some of the other features.
Reduced noise levels, high ceilings, and ambient lighting that is meant to complement the time of day and outdoor light all contribute to the relaxing atmosphere of the A350 aircraft. Because the cabin pressure is the same as it would be at an altitude of only 6,000 feet, passengers will feel more refreshed after their trip.
Considering that the A350’s ECO features help it achieve a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption, its carbon dioxide emissions are much lower than those of other aircraft.
In addition to the brand new 56-seat Club World cabin, the three-cabin A350 will also offer the most up-to-date World Traveller Plus cabin, which will feature brand new furnishings such as a plush new pillow and warm duvet, new amenity kits, increased service, and an improved dining experience. There are 219 available seats in the World Traveler (economy) cabin. In addition, guests can make use of the hotel’s high-speed WiFi to connect their own mobile devices for online exploration throughout their trip.
As the airline celebrates its centennial this year, it will introduce the new suites gradually. In the first stage, the first A350 will begin short-haul flights between London and Madrid to help the airline’s personnel hone their customer service skills and get cabin workers used to the plane’s configuration.
The second stage of the program will commence on October 1, 2019, when the plane will begin long-distance flights.
During this time, British Airways will add three more A350s to its fleet and upgrade two Boeing 777s with the new interior.
The third phase of British Airways’ Club Suite rollout, including more long-haul aircraft throughout the network, will commence at the beginning of 2020.
British Airways Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alex Cruz said:
“One of the most exciting parts of our £6.5 billion investment program is the arrival of our first A350 in our new club suit.
We listened to your suggestions and implemented them into the new suites, which means that each one has its own private entrance and easy access to the hallway.
Our new gourmet lunches from Do & Co on flights departing from Heathrow and the opulent bedding we’ve introduced from The White Company are just two examples of how we’ve gone above and beyond to provide our Club World passengers the kind of experience they’ve come to expect from us.”
In addition to introducing new restaurant-style cuisine from Do&Co in its First, Globe Traveller Plus, and World Traveller cabins, British Airways is also rolling out industry-leading Wi-Fi on board and creating new lounges across the world as part of its £6.5 billion investment in its customers. Osaka, Pittsburgh, and Charleston are just some of the cities that will be served by all the new lines in 2018.