October 30, 2014 
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In This Week's Issue:

Colombia's Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá  

The hidden gem beneath the earth's surface is a must-see if you have a few spare hours during a visit to Bogotá. 

 

By Mark Holston

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá 

 

From Bogotá to Guatemala City, Lima, Mexico City and other major Latin American metropolises, municipal cathedrals command the visitor's attention. Typically among such cities' top cultural attractions, these ornate, Baroque-influenced edifices often share the city's central plaza with other historically important buildings. Colombia's most famous cathedral, however, is truly a "Hidden Gem," buried thousands of feet below the surface of the earth not far from Bogotá.

 

It all began simply enough at a site where salt has been extracted from the earth since pre-Columbian times. In the 1930s, miners working in Colombia's largest industrial-scale rock salt mine, 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Bogotá, created a small altar where they could say prayers as they began another day of dangerous work. In the 1950s, a cavernous expanse deep within the mine was developed into a full-blown cathedral-like space for formal religious services. That's when the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá), named after the nearby colonial town, was born. It quickly became a requisite side trip for many tourists visiting Bogotá.

 

The original salt cathedral was closed in 1990 due to safety concerns. Within a year, a new and much more elaborate site was under construction. Today, it includes multiple sanctuaries and corridors, along with 14 small chapels that represent the various Stations of the Cross. Dramatic lighting heightens the visual impact of the richly detailed statuary, crosses and other features, all chiseled out of solid rock salt. Back on the surface, a complementary theme park has been created, and includes an amphitheater and exhibits relating to the geology, mining techniques and cultural history of the area.

 

Getting there in style

If you're short on time, use a private car for transportation to the cathedral and back. If you have more time available, a tempting alternative way to make the short trip from the capital city to Zipaquirá is to board the historic Tren Turístico de la Sabana (The Savanna Tourist Train). Everything is vintage, from the smoke-belching steam locomotive to the rustic passenger cars where musicians playing traditional tunes serenade travelers. Passengers will enjoy a constantly-changing vista of Bogotá's urban expanse, pastureland with grazing sheep and quaint small towns like Cajicá. If you have time, stop in Cajicá during your return trip to dine on local delicacies and enjoy shopping for regional crafts.

The Savanna Tourist Train

 

Because the Tren Turístico de la Sabana departs early in the morning and can be boarded at two stations in Bogotá, it's wise to put your hotel's concierge to the test to make sure you have correct details about the trip. Local firms offer package tours, with transportation from the hotel to the train terminal.

 

If you a mid-size amount of time, you might also consider taking the Tren Turístico in one direction and a private car for the other leg of the journey. In any case, if you are Bogotá-bound, don't miss an opportunity to experience this truly one-of-a-kind attraction.

 

 

Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá by Jimmy Baikovicius, The Savanna Tourist Train by Mark Holston

                                                                                                
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Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launch new London-Heathrow services: Delta begins its first nonstop London-Heathrow to Los Angeles flights, taking over one daily Virgin Atlantic flight; Virgin Atlantic begins its first London-Heathrow to Atlanta flights, taking over one daily Delta flight

 

In Brazil, Innovation Gate Cultural Contest Celebrates Delta's TEDGlobal Partnership: Delta's mobile recording Studio is gathering video submissions from students and entrepreneurs across São Paulo for the TEDGlobal's Innovation Gate Competition.


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Travel News

Security Airline Routes and Route Changes

An October 21 earthquake in the area of the Chiles Volcano in Cumbal, on the border between Colombia and Ecuador, has led Colombian geological authorities to declare an orange alert in the surrounding area.

 

Guyana, St. Lucia, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago are the latest countries to implement entry restrictions on those who live in Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone or have visited those countries in the past 28 days, due to Ebola virus concerns.

 

Visa Cards in Uruguay

Visa card holders are experiencing difficulties withdrawing cash in Uruguay while ATMs are being upgraded to meet the latest chip and safety standards. Cash machines at larger Banco de la Republica branches are working normally.

TAME Linea Aerea del Ecuador

 

New Airline Routes and Route Changes

South America

TAME Linea Aerea del Ecuador launched daily nonstop service between Quito and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Miami area, Florida).

 

Mexico and Central America

Mexico's Interjet has begun service between Monterrey International Airport and Houston's George Bush International Airport (Texas, U.S.), offering twice-daily flights on weekdays and one each on Saturday and Sunday.

 

AeroMexico will offer holiday-only service between Guadalajara, Mexico and Denver, Colorado (U.S.) on December 18, 21, 24, 28 and 31, as well as January 1 and 4. The airline also plans to add additional service on its Mexico City-Denver route.

 

International Connections

Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways transferred additional operations to each other as part of their joint venture. Delta is now operating one of the daily flights between London-Heathrow and Los Angeles International Airport (California) that Virgin Atlantic had been operating. Virgin Atlantic took over one of Delta's daily flights between London-Heathrow and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Delta's main hub, in Georgia). Both airlines are now operating out of Terminal 3 at London-Heathrow.

 

Airline Alliance News

Alitalia and Airberlin have entered into a codeshare partnership, with Alitalia operating Airberlin routes out of Italy's Milan Linate, Palermo and Rome and Airberlin operating Alitalia flights out of Germany's Berlin Tegel, Dusseldorf and Munich, as well as Vienna, Austria.

 

Korean Air and LAN Peru signed a codeshare agreement covering a Seoul Incheon (Korea)-Los Angeles (California)-Lima route.

 

Avianca and ANA, All Nippon Airways plan to commence codeshare operations. Avianca will operate ANA flights out of the U.S. cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Dulles. Japan-based ANA will operate Avianca flights out of Tokyo Narita International Airport (Japan).

 

American Airlines and Jetstar Japan entered into a codeshare agreement, with American placing codes on Jetstar flights between Tokyo Narita International Airport and other Japanese cities, including Fukuoka, Matsuyama, Okinawa, Osaka and Sapporo.

Taipei

 

Virgin America and China Airlines have expanded their codeshare agreement, offering passengers travel between Taipei, Taiwan and other Asian cities and multiple destinations across the U.S. China Air passengers can now book Virgin America travel within the U.S. via the China Air website.

 

Other Airline News

TAP Portugal's cabin crew is expected to go on strike October 30 and November 1 and will affect flight operations. Travelers with flights booked on those days are encouraged to contact the airline if they have not already been contacted.

 

QANTAS unveiled a new Airbus A330 international business class suite featuring fully-flat beds and direct aisle access for every business class passenger.

 

Virgin Atlantic launched its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner with service between London and Boston, Massachusetts (U.S.) on October 28.

Loyalty Program News

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can earn double points for every qualifying rental at participating locations worldwide through December 15.

 

Wyndham Rewards members can earn 1,000 bonus points per night (up to 10 nights) for second and subsequent nights at participating properties through January 14, 2015. Through January 30, 2015 Wyndham Rewards members can earn 2,015 bonus points after their second stay - up to 10,075 bonus points in total - as part of its "Celebrate with 2015 Bonus Points" promotion.

 

On November 1, United's Mileage Plus program will pare its car rental partners down to Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty. Under the new relationship, Hertz rentals will earn United miles at up to 1,250 miles per rental while Dollar and Thrifty will earn 50 miles per day for rentals of one to four days, and 500 miles for rentals five days or longer. As of January 1, 2015, Mileage Plus elites will be offered complimentary elite status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program.

 

Hotel News

Atlantica Hotels International has been acquired by Quantum Strategic Partners Ltd., a private investment fund managed by Soros Fund Management LLC; Tao Invest LLC, a private investment fund managed by Tao Capital Partners ("Tao"); and management.

 

South America

The 62-room, $20 million Singular Santiago has opened in the trendy Lastarria neighborhood in downtown Santiago de Chile. It offers three boardrooms plus an amphitheater with an outdoor patio, and can accommodate 30-40 people in its two largest rooms. Billed as a five-star property, the Singular Santiago includes a French/Chilean-fusion restaurant, 3,000-square-foot spa and fitness facility, 24-hour room service and rooftop pool and lounge.

Grace Panama 

 

Mexico

The 156-room Courtyard Marriott Queretaro opened in Queretaro, Mexico. The hotel includes a restaurant, 24/7 market, a lobby LCD touchscreen "GoBoard" with local information and mobile integration, business center and complimentary Wi-Fi. It has six meeting rooms with a total of 5,199 square feet of space.

 

Central America

Grace Hotels' Grace Panama opened in Panama's Obarrio District, on the ground floor and six upper floors of the Twist Tower office and hotel development. The 60-room property has a 12th-floor business center with four boardrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a lap pool and multiple dining options.

 

Miami Beach

The 294-room Edition Miami Beach is now taking reservations for its November 10 opening. The property, developed by Ian Schrager and Marriott hotels, includes an 8,300-square-foot event space with a private entrance, able to accommodate up to 928 people. It also has a 3,200-square-foot pre-event space, three flexible meeting "studios" that can accommodate up to 190 people and a 2,000-square-foot penthouse that is also equipped for events. The Edition also has a restaurant by famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, gourmet marketplace, bowling alley, ice-skating rink, outdoor movie theater and nightclub among other amenities.

 

A 25-room all-suite extension of The Gale hotel - The Gale Suites at Kaskades - will open December 9 in Miami Beach, with oversized terraces, luxury linens and 60-inch HDTVs along with rooftop cabanas.

 

Caribbean

The 234-suite, adults-only Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and the 387-suite, family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall are scheduled to open November 23 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The all-inclusive resorts include a private arrivals lounge at the airport, cascading pools, 24-hour suite service, beach butler service, 18 bars and restaurants and 50,000 square feet of meeting space.

 

The Gansevoort Playa Imbert is scheduled to open December 15 in the Dominican Republic. The hotel will have 48 luxury suites, a three-tier cascading infinity pool, restaurant, bar, fitness center and spa.

 

Hotel Pipeline

InterContinental Hotels Group brand Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts unveiled its "next generation guest room," complete with uniquely angled beds, insulated wall panels to reduce noise, a "nook" space for meetings and/or relaxation and a dedicated multi-purpose workspace. The rooms will launch in 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Midtown.

 

AMResorts announced plans to open the all-inclusive, family-friendly, Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort on Mexico's Caribbean coast in early 2016. The resort will boast a marina, 19-hole golf course, private beach, kids club, 24-hour room and concierge service and numerous food and beverage options.Hilton Worldwide signed a management agreement with Fideicomiso Santa Marta Hotel to develop the Hilton Santa Marta in Santa Marta, Colombia. The beachfront property, expected to open in 2017, will form part of a mixed-use complex and will offer 11,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,500-square-foot ballroom. It will also have six restaurants and bars, a pool and fitness center.

Hipmunk

 

Grupo Pinero announced plans for a 950-suite all-inclusive resort in San Nicolas on the southeastern coast of Aruba. The property is slated to open in the summer of 2016 and will include a theater, casino, several restaurants, gym and spa.

 

Travel Services

Online travel review site TripAdvisor has added Best Western International hotels to its list of "instant booking" partners, making the hotel's reservations accessible through the site.

 

Web review site Yelp has partnered with Hipmunk to enable Yelp users to book hotel rooms without leaving its desktop or mobile sites.

 

TAME Linea Aerea del Ecuador, courtesy of TAME Linea Aerea del Ecuador; Taipei by Luke Ma; Grace Panama, courtesy of Grace Panama; Himpunk, courtesy of Hipmunk 

 
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