News
Shanghai Disneyland Deal Comes Closer to Completion
Plans for another huge theme park project has been confirmed by the Walt Disney Company, who will witness their fourth non-US Disneyland open in Shanghai in 2014 should the project run to schedule.
The vast entertainment company of Walt Disney has already made huge successes of its non-US parks in Tokyo, Paris and (to a lesser extent) Hong Kong. There is no reason why the latest addition to the Disneyland roster cannot produce similar results.
The joint venture deal struck between the Walt Disney Company and the Chinese government has been estimated at a net worth of £2.15 billion and it represents one of the largest foreign company investments in China in the country's history.
Should planning approvals meet all expectations, the park is due to be completed in between three and four years, opening sometime in 2014. The Shanghai Disneyland follows on relatively quickly from the opening of the Disneyland Hong Kong theme park back in late 2005.
There was some criticism that the Hong Kong park was too small, in response to which the Walt Disney Company approved a significant expansion in order to draw in more visitors and improve the attraction as a whole. Size will not be an issue with the Shanghai park if it goes ahead, as the reputed plans currently call for an area of roughly 960 football pitches (1.5 square miles) to be covered.
A variety of travel providers offer package deals on Disneyland holidays with cheap flights, hotel accommodation and reduced rates for children. The Eurostar remains a relaxing and stylish way to hop across the Channel in order to make a direct journey to Disneyland Paris. Jan 21, 2011
Italy a Top Holiday Destination for 2011
Holidaymakers are being encouraged to head to Italy this year, with The Telegraph website listing a host of reasons why the Mediterranean country should be at the top of every traveller's list for 2011.
Travel writer Gill Charlton highlights Sicily as a choice destination, thanks to extensive recent modernisation and a great choice of hotels and villas. Many boutique hotels and villas have been renovated on the island and there is also a selection of larger hotels to choose from.
The Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa has recently opened in Palermo, providing an atmospheric and historic environment thanks to being built in a former bank, convent and church in the city centre.
Other outstanding hotel options picked out by Ms Charlton include the newly-reopened Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina, which is part of the Orient-Express chain of hotels. This hotel overlooks the historic Greek theatre in Taormina and also boasts a heated outdoor pool, making it a good choice year-round.
Travellers to Sicily looking for a more active break might be tempted by the Donnafugata Golf Resort, a five-star facility close to Catania airport. The resort features two championship golf courses, a training school and its own spa facility.
Other factors likely to entice visitors on holidays to Italy include the reopening in Rome of the Colosseum's top tier and underground chambers, which have been closed to the public for the past 30 years. Visitors can now see chambers dating back to the fifth century, where gladiators would have prepared for their fights in the arena.
Ms Gill also points out the increased number of flights available to Lamezia, in the toe of the 'boot' of Italy. This area has benefitted from EU investment in recent times, and offers great beaches, mountain scenery and masses of interesting historical sites.
Jan 21, 2011