Talking Travel: The RMB 888,888 Two-Day Getaway
The Oct 1 holiday is less than a month away, but perhaps you're thinking, maybe I can just get away for a couple of days, perhaps me and seven of my closest friends? If yes, then here's the package for you. Trisara Luxury Resort will fly eight people via private jet from Beijing or Shanghai to Phuket, where the octet will enjoy:two nights’ accommodation in a four-bedroom Ocean Front Residence; unlimited food and beverage; unlimited spa treatments; a private chef and private butler; a personal social media butler (Oh butler? Could you take this selfie for me and then Weibo it? I'm too busy enjoying unlimited beverages during my spa treatment); and a private yacht with a full day on Phang Nga Bay and visit to Krabi. All of this is available between now and Oct 31 for only RMB 888,888, plus plus. Take out your black American Express card and visit www.trisara.com to book.
Sri Lanka's making a big push in China. Formerly engulfed by civil war, the island paradise is trying to get in on some of the Indian Ocean sun and fun market that has been so far soaked up mostly by the Maldives. As we wrote last week, Mauritius is trying to get in on the act, assisted by new non-stop flights on Air Mauritius. Sri Lanka's RMB 6.9 million ad campaign in China seeks to introduce the country that is part India, part island paradise, and part unique experience, with superb dining, diving and beaches. For more information, visit Sri Lanka Tourism.
Korean Air is now flying non-stop from Seoul to Atlanta using Airbus A380s. For Beijingers flying to the southeastern United States, this may offer an alternative to Delta, which has its hub in Atlanta, or to other airlines that would connect via Chicago or the New York area. The 14-hour flight leaves Seoul at 10:30am local time and arrives in Atlanta at 11:30am local time.
Prices for Air Canada flights to Canada seem to have decreased, according to a recent Vancouver Sun report. "That means this fall it will be just as cheap to fly to Beijing as Halifax, even though the 11-hour flight is almost twice as long," the report said. And certainly more interesting when one arrives (sorry, Nova Scotians). See for yourself at Air Canada's website.
If North Korea didn't appeal as a visa run destination, there's still always Hong Kong. Hotel Indigo Hong Kong is offering more of an upgrade package than a promotion: pay an additional HK$400 plus 10 percent service charge, and receive a Handy phone, which offers a local Hong Kong number, a built-in Hong Kong city guide, unlimited 3G access, unlimited calls to 17 countries, along with breakfast for two (that's served at the hotel, it doesn't come from the phone), 5000 IHG membership points, and late check-out at 4pm. One road, flat safe.
For more travel suggestions every month, see our Get Out feature in the Beijinger.
Photo: Trisara Luxury Resort
