The Dubai-based airline, announced the launch of daily flights to St Petersburg’s Pulkovo International Airport (LED) from 20 January 2023 The carrier has grown its network to 114 destinations most of which were not previously served with direct airlinks to the United Arab Emirates
Carrier flights to St Petersburg from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) is currently scheduled to be operated by its fleet of Boeing MAX 8 aircraft The flight time on this route is six hours and 50 minutes, making it one of the longer flights the carrier operates to after Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand which will also commence on 20 January 2023 www.flydubai.com
Editor: Ekaterina Kudriashova еk@tourpressclub.cz
Photographer: Yussif Kyazimov yk@tourpressclub cz www.tourpressclub.eu www.issuu.com
Pristine beaches, thriving and protected nature. A naturalistic jewel of southern Italy, the Torre Guaceto reserve is a safe place for animal species and a coveted destination for international tourism. Here nature and man coexist in harmony following the leitmotif of sustainability.
According to the definition of Rocky Malatesta, the President of the Torre Guaceto State Reserve Management Consortium, the place is “the precious stone kept and protected, but not locked up under a glass bell, the result of the abnegation of those who work every day to make it more and more protected and attractive”.
The spearhead of the Italian natural heritage, and more specifically, the deep south of the Puglia region, Torre Guaceto is a particularly special park made up of a marine and land reserve managed by a single institution .
The Marine Protected Area, established in 1991, and the State Nature Reserve, created in 2000, constitute a system of areas subject to protection which extends overall for approximately 3,300 hectares and involves an 8 km stretch of coast which goes from the capital of the province, Brindisi, to the territory pertaining to the municipality of Carovigno
The very name of the Park tells its ancient history and the importance it has always had both for the life of animal communities and for human ones since ancient times The Italian Torre Guaceto derives, in fact, from the Arabic Al Gawsit, "the place of fresh water", a term chosen by an ancient Middle Eastern topographer to indicate the presence of water springs, a source of life
Its geological and environmental characteristics make the place ideal for everyone
Crossing Torre Guaceto from a bird's eye view, proceeding from the hinterland towards the open sea, one observes the richness of its perfect ecosystem, the succession of different environments that lend themselves to different harmonies, first the cultivated fields and the olive groves, then the coastal mosaic of Mediterranean maquis, the wetland, the dunes and the coast, and finally the sea with meadows of oceanic posidonia and the coralline in the deep . Different environments, but interconnected, protected and at the same time open to man
The Torre Guaceto Management Consortium, born in 2000, has the objective of preserving the current ecological systems, restoring places degraded by human impact and climate
Every action carried out by the park authority is therefore aimed at protecting and promoting the reserve; it also pursues the raising awareness among the local community and involving local actors in its sustainable economy and tourism policies . These are the cornerstones of the action of the Torre Guaceto Management Consortium .
Numerous projects have been implemented to raise the level of sustainability of the protected area
In fact, there is talk of this protected area even beyond the European context, due to the numerous sustainability models conceived and implemented here and the futuristic projects that are carried out within it
The sustainable fishing model was born in Torre Guaceto so the Consortium ensures that marine habitats and fish stocks are not damaged and plundered by human activity. At the same time local artisans can do their work better, with minimum effort and maximum profit. Only professionals from the pertinent municipalities can fish here, once a week, subject to authorization from the institution; only in the outermost and least delicate area of the region and with a large mesh net, which allows to avoid the capture of young fish that they have yet to reproduce. Thanks to this model, fish from Torre Guaceto then repopulate a large part of the Salento coast and the fishermen
with just one day of activity earn twice as much as they would elsewhere Over the years, this archetype has proved to be so much effective for everyone that Slow Food has made it a presidium to be replicated .
If sustainable, tourism is good for environment and for communities Here fruitful activities are carried out 365 days a year. Snorkeling, trekking, tasting of products from the Park basket, environmental education in schools, medi-
tation, acoustic piano concerts, cultural insights, instawalk . In Torre Guaceto you can find it all, and nobody remains dissatisfied with the experience. Those affected by a physical or mental handicap have the same possibility of expe-
riencing the reserve that everyone else has . In addition to personalized visits, in fact, in the summer, Torre Guaceto offers its disabled visitors the possibility of accessing the sea, guaranteeing free use of the solarium platform which it sets up at the beach club, the only one present in the Park, and also some job .
Torre Guaceto's tourism management and planning policy is certified. Europarc has marked the high quality of the Consortium's governance with the assignment of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourismm The institution is currently training and supporting local tour operators in order to obtain a quality mark currently assigned only to Torre Guaceto in order to increase the qualification of sustainable destination to the whole pertinent territory
In addition to the CETS certification, the reserve proudly bears some other titles:
• ASPIM, protected area of Mediterranean importance,
• EMAS, which certifies the involvement of the territory in the management of the Park and the transparency of its procedures,
• BLUE PARK, a title assigned by the Marine Conservation Institute to the best Marine Protected in the world
There is a red gem that bears the name of the reserve passing through the shelves of supermarkets around the world: the Fiaschetto, tomato of Torre Guaceto It has been abandoned over time and revived again . The protected area with its vast wetland with brackish water gives this ancient typical cultivar a unique flavor. The Consortium and Slow Food have encouraged its reuse in agriculture, so today its production is an appreciated and well-known garrison even beyond the European bor-
ders and, together with EVO oil, wine production and organic honey, it is the flagship of the Torre Guaceto basket.
The hosts of Torre Guaceto are the animals Here the specimens endangered by the anthropic impact exerted on the sea and on the land come back to life . But protecting them within the confines of the protected area is not enough. For this reason, the Management Consortium has created two specialized "hospitals": the wildlife recovery center and the sea turtle recovery center where creatures rescued in the area can recover before returning into the wild again
Torre Guaceto is the only Italian protected area to have its own archaeological laboratory, which houses archaeological finds discovered in the reserve through numerous excavation campaigns conducted over the years The impressive research made in collaboration with the University of Salento and the local Superintendency for Cultural Heritage has led to the recent discovery of a cremation necropolis dating back to the late Bronze Age. There are 35 tombs found under the sand of one of
the internal coves of the protected area Even the remains of a woman and her jewels were found in one of the funerary urns
The Consortium has inspired a project then financed by the reference body (the Puglia Region). With refining the water from the local wastewater treatment plant, nitrogen-laden water will be produced and distributed to farmers in the reserve . So, thanks to the closure of the artesian wells good will be done to the protected area and the agricultural economy will be supported .
In the 1930s, the wetland of Torre Guaceto was almost completely reclaimed, causing the disappearance of a fundamental habitat for the survival of numerous migratory species The Management Consortium started from the beginning a series of environmental engineering interventions Today the wetland of the reserve is of international importance, but the Consortium does not stop . New projects are developing, the water clearings of the Park will be further expanded and a center for the repopulation of Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), a species of conservation interest, will be created .
Stop fishnet. In collaboration with the Blue Marine Foundation, the Consortium will create a system for tearing the nets of poachers. So the fish fauna of the reserve will be protected through the immersion of bollards placed at the sea depth of -40 and -50 meters.
By joining the "Mare Caldo" project, Torre Guaceto has become a station for measuring the sea temperature and collecting as much data as possible about the health of the “blue lung” in climate change
Torre Guaceto has created Tetide, the network that unites the Apulian Parks in a single operational and online space The network will allow sharing of good management experiences and will carry out citizen science actions . On the other hand, a brand identity will be created and the slow tourism of the Parks will be jointly promoted
In the last two years and as part of the My Sea project, many sea turtles healed in Torre Guaceto have been put back into the sea Equipped with a satellite transmitter they can be monitored, in order to understand better their habits and behavior and increase the international level of protection of the species
www.riservaditorreguaceto.it
Text & images by Consorzio di Gestione di Torre Guaceto.
India is a remarkable destination with plethora of experiences. From 7th wonder of the world Taj Mahal to artistic palaces and forts all narrate the testimony of India’s rich culture. Swagatam Tours – India's most trusted tour operator since 1986 – is your key to the treasures of the country.
Swagatam Tours is an inbound tour operator based in Delhi since 1986 . A professional organization capable of handling cultural tours, special interest tours, incentives and MICE Having it’s own fleet of cars and coaches, a trained set of executives with sufficient experience in the travel industry and plenty of expertise, Swagatam Tours caters to organize conferences, corporate events, product launches, sports events, cultural tours, leisure tours – for both solo travellers and groups, assuring you a safe and memorable travel experience The company also sells air tickets: it is
the passenger sales agent for Indian Airlines and several other private airlines operating in India. The office is recognized by IATA Swagatam Tours ensures that they leave no stone unturned when it comes to quality service . Over the span of 36 years and a team spread across the Head Office in New Delhi and branches, Swagatam Tours has been bestowed with several honourable accolades, like the National Tourism Award (4 times) and the prestigious Galileo Award for Best Regional Tour Operator (3 times) amongst various commendable national achievements .
• The Kerala Backwaters;
• Above The Clouds;
• Royal Rajasthan;
• Call Of The Jungle;
• Classic India & Nepal;
• Odisha Tribal Tour;
• Deccan Heritage With Goa;
• Majestic South India
The “Kerala Backwaters” tour with Swagatam Tours gives you the opportunity to unwind in the scenic backwaters of Kumarakom, indulge in the delectable local cuisine in Alleppey's homestay and
relax in the serenity of so-called “God's Own Country” Kerala is an Indian state occupying the south-west corner of the subcontinent Visiting the place promises experiences unlike anything else in the world You can discover a stunning plethora of iconic traditions, rituals, and art performances that enrich your heart and soul Kerala beaches are amongst the best in India and are an excellent alternative to Goa Some of the beaches remain relatively deserted Kerala is not a new name to the sun-worshippers, the 550kms coastal line overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea is the catch of this stunning southern state of India . Studded with some impeccable beaches that are often marked with swaying palms, quaint lighthouses and multi-hued seashells, Kerala is a true paradise for nature lovers
Another key product of Swagatam Tours is “Royal Rajasthan” Rajasthan, the land of Rajahs and Maharajas is one of the most colourful states in the country Be it the glorious history or the opulent lifestyle of its rulers, the state still echoes every bit in a distinct and unique way. With its mesmerizing beauty and charm, it has overcome the hands of revolution and has successfully endured its rich cultural and traditional values till date . On a visit to this elegant state, one can easily witness the immortal bonding between its golden sands and civilization Adding more to the charm of this colourful state are its elegant forts, palaces, havelis and other statures; the state is the home to some of the most beautiful and largest forts and palaces in the world Rajasthan is guaranteed to leave you breathless!
one of the leading travel agencies of the country with a million dollar turnover
– What is the motto of your company? What are the basic principles of your company business?
– To offer best service and competitive package To serve our clients with dignity, honesty and attentive in every aspect of the dealings
– Which particular part of the story of your company you are proud of?
– We are now 36 year old (started in 1986) and we have many clients working with us since 1986 and happy with our dealings Similarly our asset is our dedicated and devoted staff members . Unfortunately, due to Covid we have reduced our staff capacity which is now 25 persons only.
Founder Director – Mr. M.V. Hariharan (Hari), together with other visionaries with years of experience in the travel trade and abundant knowledge acquired from travelling around the globe, turned “Swagatam Tours” into– Which segment are you working for? Are you mostly a luxury oriented company or do you also follow the lower budget markets?
– We started our business in luxury and incentive segment However, today we run our business from many parts of the world . Hence we work on all segments such as luxury, low budget and soft trekking groups .
– How do you maintain low prices?
– Since we have good volume of business, we are fortunate to negotiate best
possible rates from hotels . We own and operate our cars and coaches Company has it’s own office premises in Delhi, Chennai and Bengalu
– How do you promote your travel products?
– We attend all important trade fairs such as: ITB, Berlin, WTM, London, Vakantiebeurs, Utrecht (not attending in 2023) BIT Milan, TTG, Rimini, ATM, Dubai, Top Resa Paris etc We also undertake regular sales trip to each market where we have our presence .
– Do you take into consideration national peculiarities when promoting your products in different countries?
– It is very important part of our work . For example we have French and Italian speaking staff members in our office. In French part, we deal all correspondence in French only
– Tell us, please, something about your new offerings on the international (season 2023) market.
– Our experience make us believe that after Covid our clients are looking for:
• luxury products;
• exclusive hotels;
• tailor made programs;
• high end ayurveda treatments and luxury beaches .
– What are your travel products recently introduced?
– Delhi Agra Jaipur Udaipur based on Oberoi Vilas Hotels one of the best hotels in the World We do it with Leela group of Hotels as well Wildlife tours using best available hotels in these region
– Which are your priority markets?
– Italy, France, Middle East, Scandinavia, Benelux, and Canada .
– Are you planning to enter CIS countries markets soon?
– "Swagatam" in Hindi means "welcome" One of our commitments, both as a company but, deeper, as people of India is to make people feel welcome when they come to our country
Starting from 2023 we decided to let Russian visitors feel our warm welcome, and for this reason we started a cooperation with professionals to promote our services in Russia . We have agreed to enter Russian market through an Italian company “ThinkYes!” and will soon formulize our official agreement . With the expertise of a local team we will be able to understand better the requests and the needs of demanding audience of Russian travellers
Swagatam – Welcome to India!
www.swagatam.com
Azerbaijan covers 8 out of 11 climate types with almost every kind of geography one could think of, including hundreds of kilometres of sea.
One can also find the most amazing collection of mud volcanoes in the world, as well as ever-burning patches of hillside and many natural hot springs Lemons and tea are grown in the subtropical south, while the north is dominated by the majestic Caucasus Mountains All of this within such a small area and a few hours’ drive
The country is home to three UNESCO heritage sites – Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, Icheri Sheher along with Shirvanshahs Palace and Maiden Tower, and historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan's Palace .
The mountains, which cover about 60% of the country, offer great opportunities for hiking in summer, and in winter the Shahdag and Tufandag ski resorts in the north are well-equipped with luxurious amenities and endless snowy vistas
There are 16 hiking routes, passing through wild nature into mountain villages, treating every visitor to the astonishing views . One of the best parts
of trips to the regions of Azerbaijan is how well the routes are planned as each hiking destination is close to a city, village or important sightseeing spot, making it easier to plan your post-hike programme Hiking enthusiasts can find the GPS details for the hiking trails on international apps such as Wikiloc and ViewRanger
Azerbaijan is home to about half of the world’s discovered mud volcanoes . Around 400 bubbling volcanoes are accessible in the Gobustan area . Volcanic clay and mud is believed to be useful in the treatment of diseases related to the nervous system, skin and rheumatism
There’s also a fantastic golf club in Guba set in idyllic Azerbaijani countryside with a backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains The club, which opened in September 2013, is a ruggedly beautiful site bordered by long grass and wild flowers with deep bunkers and a gently flowing creek. Designed by Jon Hunt of the UK-based International Golf Design Group, the club offers a world-class academy with expert PGA-qualified instructors and state-of-the-art assessment technology
The legacy of the legendary Silk Road is notable in Sheki and the small mountain village of Basgal . The village is known for preserving the tradition of making ‘kelaghayi’, which is the traditional Azerbaijani silk headscarf For a true nomadic experience, one should follow the route to the village of Khinalig, located on a mountain top 2,350 m above sea level in the Greater Caucasus Mountains The unique structures of the old stone houses in the village stand as if they almost interweave with each other, turning into one landmark The fire temple and mosques from the 12th and 15th centuries, as well as other local shrines, create unique scenery which is topped up with scenic mountain views
With the approach of winter, Shahdag, Tufandag and Agbulag Winter Resorts are welcoming everyone to their venues and fascinating views to the mountains The resorts offer high-class hotels, spas, restaurants, as well as different thrilling sports and leisure activities . Here everyone from the beginner to professional skier can relish greatly groomed slopes, while non-skiers can also have fun choosing among a number of activities such as off-road tours, paragliding, cycling and cable car rides overlooking the majestic mountains .
With mountains accounting for over 60 percent of Azerbaijan’s total area, one can enjoy memorable moments hiking through the stunning scenery and stopping at timeless rural villages to witness local life There are many popular-marked trails in the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, and some in the Talish Mountains in the
south . 16 newly renovated hiking trails across the northern and north-western of Azerbaijan are unique and built in such a way that tourists can easily plan a post-hike trip to the closest cit-
ies, lakes, or various sightseeing places . Moreover, tourists get a chance to try local food whether they go for a hike, camping or when stopping by the village or closest town
Known as a greenhouse of the USSR, Azerbaijan is a great example of sustainable and organic production of food Every region has its specialities and is famous for the products that are truly the best of their kind – potatoes from Gadabey, variety of citrus fruits from Lankaran, pomegranate from Goychay, watermelon from Sabirabad, apples from Quba or tomatoes from Zira Azerbaijan’s unique geography and location have resulted in a cuisine influenced not just by its varied ingredients, but the tastes of many peoples’ travelling along the Silk Road So it’s full of surprising flavours and combinations! One should definitely try essentials of Azerbaijani cuisine such as plov: which is made of rice mixed with herbs, dried fruits, meat or fish and other local ingredients, dolma: made of grape leaves stuffed with various fillings of
meat and rice, herbs or nuts; qutabs: a sort of flatbread stuffed with different fillings – such as meat, herbs, cheese or pumpkin – and cooked on a cast iron disk called a saj
In terms of grape varieties, 54 ‘active’ indigenous varietals have been identified. Of the indigenous varietals, the two are the white Bayan Shira, which reminds a little of Garganega, and the red Madrasa, which has something of the Grenache (or Cannonau) to it Azerbaijan is among the thriving viticultural centres of the Caucasus region . Most major wine producers fall geographically along three main ‘routes’ that fan out from Baku . North along the Caspian Shoreline; west through ‘Shirvan’ along a beautifully varied road that follows the foothills of the Greater Caucasus; west on a more southerly route through the centre of the country via historic Ganja
To celebrate its contribution to promoting viticulture, winemaking and wine tourism, ATB has been granted a number of prizes by the Council of Europe and the European Institute of
Cultural Routes Local bars and restaurants serve all sorts of Azerbaijani wine but, naturally, they taste even better when served at the top of vineyards in the regions paired with local delicacies
The current period requires tourism destinations to think of the environment, sustainability and reconnecting with nature as key priorities while improving or creating new offerings for travellers Azerbaijan, in its turn, has more than one type of natural assets to develop sustainable and immersive experiences Along with exhilarating outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, camping and skiing, travellers here may also choose to restore their mind and soul at renowned resorts through multiple types of wellness procedures One such experience is taking salt therapy offered in health resorts all over Azerbaijan . However, Duzdag, or ‘Salt Mountain’, in Nakhchivan, a former salt mine converted into a sanatorium, provides the most authentic experience . The mountain is thought to contain about 130 million tonnes of pure natural salt, which has the ability to cure a number of ailments such as allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses as well as aging skin
The Duzdag Physiotherapy Centre consists of tunnels carved 300 metres into the mountain, 110 metres below the ground Visitors can spend a night in one of the underground rooms in these tunnels and enjoy not only the restorative powers of salt, but also the calmness and peace away from the everyday
hustle . A well-equipped resort is located above ground 2 km away from the tunnels .
Other natural wonders of Azerbaijan are its thermal baths and springs . There are more than 30 deposits of thermal mineral waters with different concentrations, sulphur levels and organic substances in the Caucasus Three of them are located near the charming city of Gabala situated at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, and are the basis of balneotherapy treatments at several world-class health and wellness resorts in the city
Several villages in the Lankaran region to the south of the country are also famous for their thermal water springs, with several sanatoriums offering relaxing and therapeutic baths of the hot, mineral-rich water flowing naturally from underground .
Another must-visit place in terms of thermal resources is the village of Istisu in the Kalbajar district of the liberated Karabakh region Restoration is underway in this region, where a sanatorium used to treat a variety of illnesses related to the nervous system, skin, muscles and bones as well as respiratory, diabetes, digestive and kidney problems
Last but definitely not least, the curative effect of the famous oil baths in Naftalan leaves visitors in awe each time . According to popular legend, this oil’s healing properties were first spotted by a merchant travelling along the Silk Road who left one of his sickly camels to die by an oily pool and returned to find it fully recovered. Different from conventional industrial oils, this one has a unique chemical composition, thanks to which Naftalan, located around 300 km from Baku, has become one of the leading health and wellness destinations of Azerbaijan .
Having the power to heal more than 70 diseases, such as muscle, skin, bone and joint pains, as well as gynaecology and neurology problems, the crude oil baths and individual treatment sessions are an ideal experience for those in search of healing . Treatment typically involves taking daily oil baths for at least a week at one of the city’s many wellness centres
A comprehensive city branding strategy has recently been developed for Naftalan city to increase its potential to attract visitors and boost tourism while supporting businesses here Visitors can now enjoy cycling paths and an Oil Museum pavilion assisted by a Tourism Information Centre and wayfinding signs.
In the words of Florian Sengstschmid, Chief Executive Officer Azerbaijan Tourism Board (АТВ): «Azerbaijan – a land of dramatic landscapes, ancient
culture and XXI century ambition» . The republic is located in a fascinating part of the world, between Europe and Asia, comprising of a cultural and geographical fusion . The Silk Road has left a legacy here of tolerance, multiculturalism and incredible hospitality
The capital Baku is a vibrant cosmopolitan city that has both modern and ancient architecture, great nightlife, and restaurants with very delicious local food Trips to the regions with lush nature are a perfect addition to the days spent in Baku . Areas of Azerbaijan offer newly established hiking trails and ski resorts with picturesque nature in the Caucasus mountains
www.tourismboard.az
She is mysterious and wild. She doesn’t fit into any box, doesn’t answer to any definition. Invitations are not for her, and she never appears when asked. She loves to be desired. She is mythical, but very much real. Tonight, she is meeting you at Mondaine. She is the essence of the Parisian night. Resisting her is useless.
Mondaine is an extraordinary experience, free of rules and conventions A very private party, straight out of the 70’s, with a sultry scent and an artistic vision . It is a parallel world where sophistication overcomes reality One could meet Serge Gainsbourg, Grace Jones or Yves Saint-Laurent without batting an eye . It is not surprising to meet in the flesh, other larger-than-life characters, permanent residents of this extraordinary apartment, your guides for the night . Who takes center stage? Who is the simple spectator? In this immersive and joyful Parisian neo-cabaret? The lines quickly blurred and one plays along with delight : at Mondaine, reality and fiction form a perfect combination.
What would Mondaine be without music? That is the real star of the show . Exceptional live musicians incite you to let it go . The tone is set as soon as you enter, where the drummer welcomes the evening’s guests with a captivating rhythm Like nomads, the other band members move freely in the space . As they play together, the whole of Mondaine holds its breath, fully immersed in the irresistible musical atmosphere, experienced with a new intensity
Opening the doors of Mondaine is entering a temple of luxury, a place that is strangely familiar… and familiarly strange . Orchestrated by the talented Daphné Desjeux, this XXL apartment with its subdued lights has been imagined as the luxurious Parisian bachelor pad of a lover of art and parties: deliciously chic and superbly decadent . «I sought to infuse the decor with my love for the “pas de côté”, the evening’s secrets, the effervescence of the night, as tonight was our very last » Spread out over two floors, the rooms and their nooks unfold their unique ambiances throughout night The Smokeroom, the Bedroom, the Bar, the Alcoves, the Library, every room is an opportunity for unexpected encounters and electric moments
«I imagined the decor of Mondaine as a fantasy... That of a beautiful bourgeois woman, adept at the big world, who organizes memorable receptions for select friends, alongside the magnificent Yves Saint-Laurent, the indomitable Serge Gainsbourg and other emblematic characters. I wanted to create a warm, inhabited and multiple place, which invites you to not want to know what time it is. Everything here is round, as an illustration of the intoxication that erases and softens our perceptions. The decor reflects this : the curved shape of the lighting fixtures, the curved shapes of the soft carpets with moiré and poppy patterns, respectively seen at Yves-Saint Laurent and Serge Gainsbourg. Everything is also curved in the seats and benches. The «heart» chair is inspired by the back of the vertiginous dress of Mirelle Darc in «The Tall Blond Guy with one black shoe». Finally, the roundness is also illustrated in the fresco of the staircase mirror where breasts, mouths and buttocks intermingle, like the projection suggested of a chic decadence. The details participate in inviting a domestic atmosphere. The 180 frames that line the walls, the beveled mirrors on the bar, the plush velvet on the benches, the floral cotton for the lampshades, the dark leopard print on the stools; but also the four-poster beds, and the many antique objects nestled in the bookcases... I looked for the sexy without the vulgar, the drunken without the inebriated, the chic without the too much.»
Daphné Desjeux
At Mondaine, indulgence and familiarity play a central role The most noble products, from lobster to caviar are made to be shared, and luxury is enjoyed in a festive and playful way. It is the pleasure of simple and comforting sharing dishes , executed to perfection – Scallops carpaccio, caviar; beef fillet with cafe de Paris sauce, beautiful dover sole to share… Lovers of fine wines will find something to satisfy their wildest desires, while the cocktail menu gives tribute to the iconic drinks of the Parisian night scene . They are served by a bar team that has perfectly mastered the art of mixology…
The Parisian night has just given herself a name – Mondaine.
www.mondaine-depariso.com
The Grand Hotel Europe, opened in 1875, is the oldest luxury hotel in St. Petersburg, located in the heart of the city.
The building of the hotel with a splendid Neo-Baroque façade, designed by the architect Ludwig Fontana, is an architectural monument The famous stained-glass panel "Apollo on a chariot", a stained-glass ceiling, elegant wooden carvings in the Art Nouveau style adorn the restaurant "Europe”
During its long history, the hotel has hosted guests from all over the world Between these walls, Emperor Nicholas II honoured the Prince of Siam, Tchaikovsky had his dinner, Sir Elton John gave a concert and Whitney Houston sang
The highly qualified staff of the hotel restaurant also contributed to the worthy reception of Her Majesty Elizabeth II in St Petersburg
Dmitry Zakharchenko, manager of restaurant “Europe”, was honoured to serve the royal couple at the Mariinsky Palace . Today, a hotel employee who has served here for more than thirty years shares his memories of this event
In October 1994, the first and only official visit to Russia by Her Majesty Elizabeth II took place . The Queen of Great Britain did not pass St Petersburg without visiting . In the northern capital
of the Russian Federation, Queen Elizabeth II arrived from Moscow by plane, and she had to leave for her homeland on the Britannia yacht, by sea, as the protocol for the monarch of the largest maritime power prescribes The program of the two-day visit for the Queen and her husband included excursions to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Hermitage and the Mariinsky Theatre On the afternoon of October 20, a solemn reception was also given in honour of the Queen on behalf of the mayor at the Mariinsky Palace – the building of the St . Petersburg Parliament . A solid team of the Grand Hotel Europe was involved in organising a banquet of such a high level
Organising a reception of this level is a great honour and a great responsibility Preparations at the Grand Hotel Europe began six months in advance, and employees of all levels were involved in the process .
Tailcoats were specially sewn for the service team, which were required to serve the reception with the participation of the Queen The general manager of the hotel flew to London to buy Taylor's Vintage Port, which, as it turned out, the Queen was especially fond of The head of the hotel's housekeeping service, a Scot by origin, assisted the Queen during the reception: from opening the doors to serving towels . To organise the reception, the hotel team brought everything to the palace – from tables and chairs to stoves and knives
According to the protocol, Her Majesty can make an official visit to another state only once, all subsequent trips are considered ordinary travel This fact was taken into account when creating the lunch menu: during her first visit to St Petersburg, the Queen had to be offered all the best dishes of Russian cuisine So, the list included a dish consisting of five miniatures of traditional
In memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIsnacks: pancake with caviar, aspic “zalivnoe”, sturgeon with horseradish, capital “stolichniy” salad and beef tongue
For dessert, a special treat was created – the Golden Autumn dessert – a marzipan apple stuffed with apple mousse Lunch was opened with borscht a la St Petersburg with smoked ribs, and the main course was salmon and sea bass kulebyaka with red caviar sauce .
Lunch in honour of the Queen for 75 people at the Mariinsky Palace was organised on behalf of Anatoly Sobchak, the mayor of St Petersburg . At protocol events, everything is foreseen in advance and takes place according to established rules However, there were some funny moments
The queen's favourite port wine was found and specially brought to St Petersburg for this event But the unexpected happened – her husband Prince Philip refused drinks from the wine list and asked for beer It is not usually served at banquets of this level An employee was sent for beer to the nearest shop .
According to the protocol, guests can start eating only after the Queen picks up a knife and fork and brings the first piece to her mouth The same applies to the end of the meal – you need to finish eating at the same moment when the Queen does However, the guests from the Russian side did not know about this nuance of etiquette and continued to wield devices, not paying atten-
tion to the actions of the Queen Some of them had to be delicately told that Queen Elizabeth II had already finished her meal
Distinguished guests from the UK highly appreciated the Russian cuisine, service and atmosphere of the reception
After lunch, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip left their autographs in the guest book of the Grand Hotel Europe
www.belmond.com
Geographically, the country is a unique region. Located in the center of the Eurasian continent, it is a special natural complex that has contained the brightest examples of the landscape of both parts of the continent.
In Kazakhstan there are numerous natural sources of mineral waters and therapeutic mud, which serves as a good basis for the development of health tourism in the country
nal tract The sanatoriums of Saryagash have a good infrastructure and a high level of service
In the East of the country there are also several balneological resorts They help in the treatment of diseases of dermatology, the musculoskeletal system and the central nervous system The temperature in these springs, ranges from +34° to +42°C .
Noteworthy is the Barlyk-Arasan sanatorium, which is located near Lake Alakol This lake has 12 thermal water sources Some treatment services are carried out according to the ancient methods of oriental medicine
The well-known resort “Borovoye” is surrounded by coniferous and birch forests, clean lakes and mountains –all this attracts many tourists every year Here, mainly they treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract, since the air itself at the resort has healing properties
Unfortunately, not many people know that Kazakhstan has great potential as a medical and health tourism destination Obviously, this is due to the fact that our country advertises itself very little . In reality, at the moment we have accumulated vast experience in such areas as cardiovascular surgery, aesthetical and surgical dentistry, plas-
tic surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, consultative and diagnostic services Again, a few people know that in Kazakhstan there are medical clinics that
Today we are discussing that topic with Saulesh Kalenova, a professor from the Department of Tourism and Service at TURAN University in the Republic of Kazakhstan
– Kazakhstan has a huge potential for medical and health tourism. Could you please tell us about the main places that may be of interest to foreign visitors?
– Kazakhstan is mostly a steppe country, but it has amazingly picturesque regions with special climatic zones . The presence of healing mud and mineral water makes these places attractive for treatment and recreation Therefore, dozens of holiday houses and sanatoriums are located in such resort areas The most popular of them is the balneological resort Saryagash, which is located in the South of Kazakhstan In this area there are sources of bicarbonate-sodium mineral waters, that are good for diseases of the gastrointesti-
have the appropriate, confirmed highest status of a medical organization
In addition, the key advantages of our clinics are access to modern medical technologies and new facilities, reasonable cost of medical services, quality standards (national and international JCI accreditation), unique natural sources for rehabilitation and convenient transport logistics
– Tell us please, what else is attractive about Kazakhstan, is it possible
to combine wellness procedures with acquaintance with the historical and cultural heritage of the country?
– Of course, because Kazakhstan is a country with original traditions, rich historical past and cultural heritage In almost every corner of the republic, a visitor, who is interested in the true life of the Kazakh people, their traditions, rituals, creativity and culture, will find a lot of interesting things for themselves .
Our country is unique in terms of the variety of tourist trips Kazakhstan is the owner of many cultural values included in the treasury of world civilization We take good care of nature reserves For example, in water areas protected by the government, there are many birds that are endangered A medical tourist, after wellness procedures and treatment, can get an unforgettable experience of tourist attractions and appreciate the hospitality of our residents .
– Attracting potential customers to this segment of tourism requires qualified professionals. How do you solve the issue of training personnel for medical and health tourism?
– There is no doubt, that medical tourists will go to a country, that has not only high-tech equipment, but also high-level specialists, who are able to provide the most highly qualified assistance at the level of world standards There are educational institutions in Kazakhstan that produce proficient specialists . People from many countries of the world come to our medical universities to study, which indicates that highly qualified medical specialists are in demand all over the world In addition, our medical workers constantly undergo advanced training abroad This means, there is no need to worry about the qualifications of Kazakh specialists
– You recently presented a new book on medical tourism. What is the purpose of this publication?
– Unfortunately, it turned out that until now there wasn’t material collected into a single whole, I mean a separate monograph, which would reflect both theoretical and practical materials related to medical tourism There were only scattered articles separating statistical materials, sometimes not entirely reliable, since medical tourism still includes all types of health tourism So, I decided to write a book about
medical tourism I will say right away that it was difficult, because, as I have already noted there is very little material on this topic
There were many topics to cover: How can we develop medical tourism without theoretically understanding what it is? How to organize and make it work so that patients will visit your country? How to meet them, what to do after they received a consultation, underwent treatment and now want to see the country? What to do in cases of negative outcome and so on? There are many questions and many medical organizations, who don’t know how to work in this direction. I tried to find answers to these questions in my book
– What do you think, how fair is the opinion that for the successful development of medical tourism, the issue of the safety of patients staying in medical institutions is one of the priorities?
– Definitely, the issue of patient safety is one of the key points Security is not only about inside a medical institution, but also the security of staying in the country itself is important, starting from arrival, staying at a hotel, then on a journey after a stay in a clinic . Another important factor is that Kazakhstan is a safe, peaceful and friendly country in which travelers feel quite comfortable and calm .
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