The water blessing ceremonies, traditionally carried out outdoors on Epiphany Day, were carried out indoors at all churches on Wednesday ensuring the diligent observance of all health safety restriction measures, ANA reports.The blessed water was given in small bottles both to the faithful who attended the ceremony in the church and to those who waited outside in a row keeping the required safety … [Read more...]

Travellers arriving in the UK from overseas could soon be required to prove they have had a negative Covid-19 test. While the procedure has been commonplace in many destinations for months, British authorities have so far proved unwilling to follow suit. However, the department for transport (DfT) said the measure was now one of several being considered to “prevent the spread of Covid-19 across … [Read more...]

Qantas Airways has started taking bookings for international flights from July 1st. The Australian flag-carrier previously said it did not expect to fly internationally until much later in the year, and now appears to be gambling sufficient Covid-19 vaccinations will taken place to reopen routes. Ticket sales for Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, which had been set to start in March, have been … [Read more...]

Qantas Airways has started taking bookings for international flights from July 1st. The Australian flag-carrier previously said it did not expect to fly internationally until much later in the year, and now appears to be gambling sufficient Covid-19 vaccinations will taken place to reopen routes. Ticket sales for Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, which had been set to start in March, have been … [Read more...]

Qantas Airways has started taking bookings for international flights from July 1st. The Australian flag-carrier previous said it did not expect to fly internationally until much later in the year, and now appears to be gambling sufficient Covid-19 vaccinations will taken place to reopen routes. Ticket sales for Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, which had been set to start in March, have been pushed … [Read more...]

Jamaica minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has led a series of heartfelt tributes to Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founder of Sandals Resorts International, who died earlier this week. Stewart died in the United States at the age of 79 after a short illness. Bartlett expressed his deep sadness at the passing and said: “Butch was truly an icon and innovator, philanthropist and perhaps the greatest … [Read more...]

Jamaica minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has led a series of heartfelt tributes to Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, founder of Sandals Resorts International, who died earlier this week. Stewart died in the United States at the age of 79 after a short illness. Bartlett expressed his deep sadness at the passing and said: “Butch was truly an icon and innovator, philanthropist and perhaps the greatest … [Read more...]

Tarpon Springs, Florida’s Epiphany celebrations, always one of the most popular events during the winter in the greater area, will look a little different this year due to the pandemic. As with everything else this past year, the celebrations for the great feast of Epiphany, or Theophany, will be scaled down, according to greekreporter.com. But there will indeed be a blessing of the waters by the … [Read more...]

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz has reopened its doors for the winter season. The property is offering 40 newly revamped rooms and suites following an extensive renovation in partnership with award-winning New York design studio Champalimaud. The elegant redesign mirrors the innovative spirit of the iconic hotel, which has been welcoming guests since 1896, yet continues to evolve to meet the … [Read more...]

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz has reopened its doors for the winter season. The property is offering 40 revamped rooms and suites following an extensive renovation in partnership with award-winning New York design studio Champalimaud. The elegant redesign mirrors the innovative spirit of the iconic hotel, which has been welcoming guests since 1896, yet continues to evolve to meet the needs … [Read more...]

Marriott International has announced the opening of Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Collection. The 16th century palazzo has 55-guestrooms, complete with nine unique suites. “We are delighted to expand our offering of one-of-a-kind hotels in Italy and our debut in the charming city of Lucca,” said Jenni Benzaquen, vice president, brand, EMEA, Marriott International. “Grand Universe Lucca is a … [Read more...]

P&O Cruises Australia is extending its rolling pause in operations in New Zealand until April 25th. The decision comes as the cruise line and the wider industry continue to work with government and public health authorities on the appropriate time to restart sailing. The cruise line, which has based ships in Auckland for many years, will return to New Zealand for a dedicated 150-day season in … [Read more...]

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland has announced that its Wave 2021 campaign will be called ‘Generation Innovation’. The campaign will promote the diverse range of innovative initiatives and activities being rolled out across the industry and by individual cruise lines, as the sector takes its next steps towards a return to service. The cruise industry trade … [Read more...]

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos on Tuesday called on all Metropolitans, the heads of ecclesiastical districts, to help ensure the diligent, undeviating observance of all health safety restrictions during Epiphany Day church services on Wednesday, ANA reports. Hieronymos conveyed his message to Metropolitans in an official synodical letter, according to Tuesday's press statement by … [Read more...]

The vaccination of the general population against the coronavirus -starting with those aged 85 or over- will begin on January 20, said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a meeting he chaired at the headquarters of the Civil Protection Secretariat on Tuesday evening, ANA reports. The online platform for the electronic booking of inoculation appointments will open to public access on January … [Read more...]

The National Theatre of Greece is inaugurating its Research Theatre of Classical Drama with live streaming of Euripides’ Medea directed by Martha Frintzila. The main aim of the newly created Research Theatre is to study ancient Greek drama by examining its conventions, investigating modern ways of approaching it, and highlighting its potential in terms of stage practice and performance. Its … [Read more...]

ATHEX-listed Lamda Development has unveiled an expression of interest process for would-be investors to build and exploit two out of the six planned high-rise buildings at the Helleniko site in coastal southeast Athens, billed as one of the biggest land development projects in Europe, naftemporiki.gr reports. Speaking during an extraordinary general assembly of shareholders on Tuesday, Lamda … [Read more...]

Following the vaccination of the health workers, who were the first to get the Covid-19 vaccine starting on December 27 in nine major public hospitals in the country, their colleagues in the entire health system, both in National Health System (NHS) and private health sector will take their turn, as well as the guests of the approximately 350 Elderly Care Units, private and NGOs, and their … [Read more...]

Refusal by the Greek Orthodox Church to obey health protocols aimed at slowing the second wave of COVID-19 came as the Coronavirus is soaring in 10 regions around the country, bringing worry that it could jump further if worshippers return to churches. The Citizens Protection Ministry and Hellenic Police (ELAS) were concerned after the Church resisted following the measures of a second lockdown … [Read more...]

President-elect Joe Biden sent an official letter of thanks to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew on Saturday, according to greekreporter.com. In his letter, the President-elect thanked the Patriarch for his good wishes and congratulations after Biden’s electoral victory in November of 2020. The Patriarch sent Biden a warm letter of congratulations shortly after his win in … [Read more...]