Aberdeen International Airport upBEAT Magazine Autumn 2016 Issue by Aberdeen International Airport

Mรกlaga - year round cool Get Active this Autumn The beating heart of Birmingham Alicante - take another look

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38 Málaga – year round cool

BUSINESS 6 Airport news 9 Terminal Transformation

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PEOPLE 14 Get Active this Autumn 24 ABZ adventurers 32 Local flavours – Ciao Napoli and Pittodrie House Hotel 48 Local hero – Dr. Marianne Nicolson

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52 Words worth reading 54 Diary

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CULTURE 42 What’s on 44 Aberdeenshire’s Castles – where history comes alive!

Airport Jobs /jobs Airport Master Plan /masterplan Book Car Parking /parking Book Flights & Hotels /travel Check-in Information /checkin Competitions /competitions Currency /currency Customer Charter /charter Destinations & Airlines /destinations Feedback /feedback

COMPETITIONS 16 Win a Lifestyle membership for one year to Aberdeen Sports Village 34 Win two nights bed and breakfast for two people, including dinner on the first night and a bottle of prosecco at Macdonald Norwood Hall

44 Aberdeenshire’s Castles

50 The Beat goes on – win £100 voucher to spend at World Duty Free, Aberdeen International Airport TRAVEL 10 The beating heart of Birmingham 18 Alicante – take another look 20 Airline focus – Lufthansa 26 Connecting you to the world – a selection of long haul destinations 30 Head for the sun – year round sunshine from Aberdeen 36 Discover Riga with airBaltic 38 Málaga – year round cool SHOPPING 22 Our experts’ recommendations for top festive purchases

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Prices are correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change. The publisher cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions of contributors in the magazine may not represent the views of the publisher. upBEAT magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers in this publication. All information correct at time of going to print (October 2016). Cover Image: Getty Images.

WELCOME

Welcome to the latest issue of upBEAT, Aberdeen International Airport’s passenger magazine.

s we move into the latter months of 2016, we can reflect on what has been a summer of fantastic developments for the airport. We recently announced that Ryanair will return to Aberdeen with three year-round scheduled services to Alicante, Málaga and Faro, which will deliver 75,000 annual passengers to the airport. We are delighted to be further strengthening our route network, especially since Alicante and Málaga featured strongly in a leisure survey that we undertook with the local community earlier this year. Furthermore, we also announced the return of airBaltic to Aberdeen, who will operate three flights a week to Riga, the Latvian capital, from May to September

2017. This is brilliant news for the airport and the local area, and it will be fantastic to welcome airBaltic back to Aberdeen. Phase one of the £20million project to significantly transform the airport’s main terminal is well underway. It’s been very exciting watching the construction of the steel structure, which was completed in September. Read page 9 for a terminal transformation update. As always, our community involvement continues to be a major focus for us. To date, we’ve raised £14,000 for our official charity partner Friends of ANCHOR. We’ve also pledged to support several local groups this quarter as part of the airport’s

Community Fund – there’s more about that in the Airport News pages. This month upBEAT has a fresh look at Málaga and Alicante, looking at the delights to be found in and around our new destinations. There’s a focus on Birmingham, a roundup of castles in Aberdeenshire that are open for business in the winter season, plus a wide selection of activities to help you keep fit this autumn. There’s a fascinating interview with our local hero, Dr Marianne Nicolson, competitions to win, what’s on over the next four months and much more!

AIRPORT NEWS

GETTING TO ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY TRAIN Aberdeen and Inverness services stop at the local station at Dyce which is just a short taxi or bus ride from the Airport. Bus number 80, operated by Stagecoach, runs from Dyce Station (Mon-Fri only). Visit stagecoachbus.com or call +44 (0) 1224 597590. The mainline station is in Aberdeen City Centre where there are frequent services to all parts of

Ryanair to launch year round Alicante, Málaga and Faro routes!

Scotland. For further information, please visit: travelinescotland.com BY BUS Regular bus services operate to the Airport from Aberdeen City Centre. The JET 727 bus runs from Union Square, right by the bus and train stations, making only four stops en route to the Airport. Services are less frequent at the weekends. Details at stagecoachbus.com or call +44 (0) 1224 597590. First Aberdeen also runs a weekday only service number 27 from Union Square. Details can be found at firstgroup.com or call +44 (0) 870 200 22 33. BY CAR The access road to the Airport is signposted from the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road. The Airport is seven miles from Aberdeen City Centre. The main car park is located at the front of the terminal building for short-stay parking. If you are using a satellite navigation system, the Airport postcode is AB21 7DU. BY BICYCLE Aberdeen International Airport is a relatively easy airport to get to by bike. There is a high quality off-road cycle route from the A947 (Dyce) roundabout onwards. If travelling for a short break an option may be to leave your bicycle in the modern, covered cycle stand at the Airport.

We recently announced that Ryanair are to operate three routes offering 6 weekly flights from Aberdeen to Spanish and Portuguese holiday hotspots Alicante, Málaga and Faro starting in February and May 2017. The news is a boost for the local community, who told us in a leisure survey earlier this year that Alicante, Málaga and Faro are three popular destinations for people travelling from this area. Our route development team took the survey results to the Routes Europe conference in Krakow, and Ryanair responded by introducing these three twice-weekly, year-round services.

Carol Benzie, Managing Director of Aberdeen International Airport, said, “This is fantastic news from Ryanair and it clearly demonstrates the opportunity that exists for leisure capacity here in Aberdeen.” Robin Kiely, Ryanair’s Head of Communications, described the routes as “ideal for holidaymakers” and said the airline is looking forward to “working closely with the team at Aberdeen International Airport to deliver more routes, traffic and growth in the future.” Flights are on sale now and can be booked at ryanair.com

AIRPORT NEWS

BEFORE YOU FLY 2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR TRIP

For the best deals, book your car

parking online: aberdeenairport.com

parking 1 WEEK BEFORE YOUR TRIP

airBaltic brings summer Riga route back to Aberdeen Latvian low-cost airline airBaltic has announced its return to Aberdeen International Airport with a route to Riga for summer 2017. The airline, which previously flew from Aberdeen in 2014, will operate three flights a week to the Latvian capital from May to September next year. Carol Benzie, Managing Director of Aberdeen International Airport, said, “We are continually working to strengthen our route network and I’m delighted to add the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Riga to our ever-expanding list of leisure routes. The route will also provide Aberdeen holidaymakers with easy access to a number of increasingly popular destinations in the Baltic states, such as Tallinn, Palanga and Vilnius.” Flights are on sale now and can be booked at airbaltic.com

> Order your currency online for

easy collection when you get to the

airport: aberdeenairport.com/ currency

> Check all your travel documents

and ensure your passport is current,

that you have a visa (if required) and

that you have noted the flight times

on your tickets. THE DAY BEFORE YOU FLY

Check the weight of your suitcase

and prep your cabin bag. Decant

any liquids, gels, etc into a small

plastic bag. THE DAY YOU FLY

> Allow plenty of time to get to the

airport, to check-in and clear through

security.

Mediterranean Holidays and Cruises with Omega Holidays new from Aberdeen In July 2017 Omega Holidays will be flying to Dubrovnik, Friedrichshafen, Naples and Venice direct from Aberdeen International Airport to offer package holidays and cruises around the Mediterranean. Holidays that are available include The Splendours of the Amalfi Coast; Dubrovnik, Montenegro

and Elaphiti Islands; Croatian Islands Cruise; Summer in the Austrian Mountains and a Dubrovnik and Greek Island Cruise to name just a few. Further details of the holidays available with Omega Holidays can be found online at omega-holidays.com, or bookings can be made by calling 01524 37500.

> Remember to check the rules

on sharps!

> Dispose of liquids above 100ml

before you reach the security area.

> Remember that jackets & belts must

be removed.

> Laptops & mobiles to be presented

separately.

AIRPORT NEWS

Community Fund Update Following a committee meeting in September, four local organisations have been awarded cash donations, ranging from £1,000 to £4,565, from Aberdeen International Airport’s Community Fund. The main aim of the North East Scotland Credit Union (NESCU) is to alleviate

10-year-old Andrew visits fire station for autism awareness

poverty and reduce financial exclusion. They do this by providing access to affordable loans from people their members can trust. NESCU received funding to help increase awareness amongst young people in the North-east about the benefits of credit unions. Children 1st supports survivors of abuse, neglect and other traumatic events during childhood. Their project, Aberdeen Recovery from Abuse and Trauma, received a donation from our Community

The airport’s Fire and Rescue Service welcomed a pint-sized new recruit this summer when Andrew Dane, aged 10, travelled from his home in Portsmouth to visit our station. Andrew is currently undertaking the challenge of visiting 2,330 fire stations across the UK and abroad to raise awareness of autism. He is autistic himself and could not read, write, or communicate with people he didn’t know until two years ago.

However, since he began his epic fire station mission, Andrew has become a completely different boy. Now, he can read, write, and communicate much better with new people, particularly firefighters! Our team gave Andrew a tour of the station and took him for a ride in an engine, which was a real thrill for him. You can keep up-to-date with Andrew’s progress at oneladschallenge.com

Fund to help them continue to provide the therapeutic support that local children desperately need to recover from abuse. We also made a donation to Wood Recyclability, a group that teaches work skills to adults with learning difficulties, to provide specialised training materials for the people who use the service. The final organisation to be awarded a donation was Tough Primary School, who requested funding to enable the installation of a treehouse in an unused corner of the playground. The school is

Airport working to improve travel experience for dementia sufferers

located in a rural location and the pupils currently have no local play facilities, other than the natural environment. As the playground has 24-hour access, the children will be able to enjoy the treehouse both in and out of school hours. If you know a local organisation that would be interested in applying for funding, contact community@aiairport.com for more information.

In August, a number of staff members from across the airport attended a workshop with Upstream, a project which is exploring ways to make travelling with dementia much easier. Upstream works with people with dementia to understand their experiences of travelling and to develop education and training to help transport operators become

more dementia-friendly. In a very productive session, our airport representatives and Upstream discussed a number of small changes to our services that could make a big difference to people living with dementia. If you have any suggestions, please let us know by emailing ABZFeedback@aiairport.com

Terminal Transformation

If you’ve flown through the airport recently, you’ve probably noticed the large steel skeleton taking shape at the southern end of the terminal. September saw the completion of our new terminal extension’s steel structure, allowing floor slabs to be poured and wall cladding to be hung. By Christmas, the majority of external construction activities will be complete and the facility’s final scale will become clear. Adding over 50% to the existing building’s floor space, our aspiration is for the extension to deliver a step change in the quality of experience we offer passengers.

After two years of planning, it is great to see such positive progress. In a previous edition of upBEAT, I wrote that I couldn’t wait to stand inside the new extension and see it come to life. That is exactly what I’ll be doing in three months’ time when the internal fit out commences. Keep an eye on the airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages for updates on our progress, as well as aberdeenairport.com/ transformation

John Deffenbaugh Head of Terminal Redevelopment

AIRPORT NEWS

Terminal piano strikes the right chord A piano that was installed in the airport’s main terminal as part of a temporary arts project is to become a permanent fixture after proving extremely popular with our passengers. Designed with a solar system theme by students from North East Scotland College, the unique instrument was only intended to remain at the airport for the three-week long ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ project, which saw twelve pianos placed in different venues across Aberdeen for members of the public to play. However, hundreds of passengers from around the world have jumped at the chance to tickle the ivories, so the decision was made that the piano should stay with us for good! We hope it will continue to fill the terminal with music and colour for many years to come. To view videos of talented passengers playing our terminal piano, visit facebook.com/ aberdeenairport

DOMESTIC OUTBOUND

Known for its leading role in the Industrial Revolution, bludgeoned by bombs during WWII and inhabited by more than a million people since the 1950s, Birmingham has emerged in the last few decades as a cosmopolitan force majeure. SUM OF ITS PARTS Birmingham now comprises a large urban metropolis made up of a fusion of areas, cultures and communities, all of which contribute to the personality of this vibrant, modern city. Broad Street is the fashionable nightlife quarter which encompasses Brindleyplace: a modern canalside development, home to the SeaLife Centre, several galleries and many waterside food and drink stops. Digbeth is the up and coming creative

quarter, the best spot for seasonal markets, street food dining and funky wall art. The Balti Triangle, so named for the Pakistani dish which was invented in Birmingham in the 1970s, is a focus for Asian food, fabric and fashion, and even has its own Essential Guide. The Gay Village in the area around Hurst Street provides a focal point for Birmingham’s vibrant LGBT community, and hosts the SHOUT festival in November. Chinatown is on the city’s Southside, offering a host of

cafés and restaurants with food from Northern China to Malaysia, a colourful social scene and lively annual Chinese New Year celebration. Eastside is home to a brand new civic green space, the Eastside City Park which provides a green route from the city centre, as well as a Science garden, public squares and a canal feature. The city centre’s most famous thoroughfare, New Street, goes from the mighty Bull Ring at one

DOMESTIC OUTBOUND

end to Victoria Square at the other, with shopping arcades, breathtaking architecture and leafy squares along its length. Lovers of sculpture should keep their eyes open here, you’ll rub shoulders with Anthony Gormley’s ‘Iron: Man’, a huge water feature known as the ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’ by Dhruva Mistry, and Laurence Broderick’s six tonne bronze bull at the entrance to the Bullring. CRÈME EGGS TO CHARCUTERIE What do Typhoo Tea, Bird’s Eye Custard, HP Sauce and Cadbury’s Crème Eggs have in common? They were all born in Birmingham, testament to the industrial processes that made factories so successful in this part of the world, and you can still stroll through the Custard Factory and visit Cadbury World. Today’s bustling food scene can rival any UK city, with five Michelin starred restaurants and dozens of culinary delights to explore. The Wilderness is a modern British restaurant and bar which grew out of a pop-up, using ‘ultra-seasonal and native’ ingredients, promising ‘drinks a la moment’, a

in trophy teapots and accompanied by sumptuous afternoon teas, including swan-shaped choux buns. The Loki Wine Merchant & Tasting House has 40 wines available at bargain prices in modern tasting machines, attended by award-winning and friendly staff. You can try before you buy, or just

and delightful waterside cafés, while Grand Central is situated directly above New Street station and houses 60 shops. Great Western, Piccadilly and Burlington arcades all add some quirky design to your undercover retail experience, while the Custard Factory is set in a restored collection

coffee lab, and an experimental cocktail programme. Loaf is a South Birmingham Cookery School and Community Bakery, aiming to resurrect forgotten food skills with courses on making pork charcuterie, Chinese dumplings, macarons and artisan bread. Original Patty Men (more street food heroes) have teamed up with Siren Craft Brew and put down roots in Digbeth, offering amongst other things, Big Vern’s Crispy Ring – a burger served in a Krispy Kreme donut. You read it here. The Edgbaston is a boutique hotel with a 1920s inspired cocktail lounge, harking back to the days when a martini was de rigueur before dinner. Cocktails are served by attentive staff

enjoy tasting with a plate of cheese and some friends. The Wellington (or ‘Welly’ to its friends) is a true real ale free house, with 27 handpulls and a wide range of whiskies, rums and gins. The Welly is proud of its music and fruit-machine free atmosphere, and you are not only allowed to bring your own food, you’re positively encouraged to order take-away from nearby establishments.

of riverside factories and offers a packed programme of weekend events and festivals.

SHOPS & MARKETS GALORE Birmingham is famous for the Bullring, a 21st century shopping complex with 160 stores including the iconic Selfridges, but the shops do not stop there. The Mailbox is an upmarket shopper’s haven, with designer outlets

If you prefer to seek out the smaller independent store, the city does not disappoint. The Jewellery Quarter has over 100 independent retail jewellers, and the city is studded with retail gems such as the Liquor Store and Provide for clothes, Jam Jar Lights and Zen for gifts, and McTunney’s Sweet Emporium and the Chocolate Quarter for sweet treats. One of the city’s claims to fame is the hosting of the biggest authentic German Christmas market in the UK. There are over 180 stalls selling gifts,

DOMESTIC OUTBOUND

Birmingham Back to Backs – take a tour around a courtyard of four original 19th century houses, each furnished in a different era. Shakespeare Express – take a vintage train to Stratford-upon-Avon. BBC’s Public Space at the Mailbox – step inside the World of Broadcasting and make your own radio play. Thinktank – award-winning museum with over 200 interactive exhibits. Hare & Hounds – standout music venue with regular food evenings and weekend DJs.

Cadbury World – discover the magic through 14 different zones, including chocolate rain and being chased by a Crème Egg! Black Country Living Museum – walk around a traditional canalside village with shops, houses, a school and a traditional fairground; meet the locals dressed in period costume. Lickey Hills Country Park – adventure playground, golf and tennis, horse riding all in beautiful surroundings. Akamba Heritage Centre – two acres of exotic plant life and palms, lifesize animal sculptures and the African Bird Walk. The airport is ten minutes drive from the city centre, and there are four flights a day, seven days a week from Aberdeen International Airport with Flybe.

jewellery, handmade toys, delicious food and that quintessential toast to the festive season, Glühwein. Have some fun with Chris Moose, a singing moose who’ll do his best to get you in the mood, catch a ride on the carousel and listen to live bands on the Christmas stage. RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES Eventually, even the most dedicated shopper needs to rest, so we’ve picked some budget beds and some plush pads. At the thrifty end, Birmingham Central Backpackers offers Japanese-style POD dorms and free breakfast, Nitenite’s windowless minimalist rooms have great TV and wifi, and the Bloc Hotel promises a ‘penthouse proposition at a pavement price’, dispensing with a bar and restaurant and employing a Scandinavian sleep institute to guarantee a good night’s sleep. If you prefer a four-poster to a pod, then go for the antique décor of Macdonald Burlington, once a railway hotel, or

the sleek lines of Staying Cool at the Rotunda, which has penthouse apartments with panoramic views, slap bang in the city centre. GETTING AROUND As the second largest city in Britain, Birmingham boasts excellent transport links to the surrounding counties of Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and beyond. Day trips to the Black Country, Warwick Castle, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Bicester Village Shopping and the Severn Valley Railway are all a short train, bus or car ride away. The area has more than 200 miles of local canals, why not head to Gas Street Basin to join an informative tour or to begin a water-based adventure all of your own. Tours from nearby Dudley take in local limestone caverns. It is also possible to run, cycle or walk from Birmingham to the Black Country using the canal pathway network.

LOCAL INTERESTS

Although January is traditionally the month for resolutions, autumn is quite often the season when our thoughts turn to selfimprovement. It’s as though with summer over and everything back to normal, we need a challenge to kick start us into the colder months. Aberdeen is absolutely jammed to bursting with opportunities to join an exercise class, take up a new sport, burn some calories and make some new friends into the bargain.

Aberdeen Sports Village – this is truly a world class facility with the community at heart. The ASV itself opened in 2009 and the Aquatics Centre in 2014, and together they provide a host of imaginative activity opportunities, with affordable member and non-member fees. You can learn to swim, dive, lifesave, lifeguard or play water polo in the 50m Olympic pool and 25m diving pool, or join an aqua circuits class. There is a huge gym, bursting with state of the art equipment and attentive instructors, so whether you’re a gym bunny or a gym tortoise, the exercise will be tailored to your capabilities. Young people are welcome with supervised teenage gym sessions, swimming lessons from three months old and student rates. With over 100 group exercise classes, everyone is bound to find something to suit – ranging from Boxfit to Yoga for Sport, Retro-fun Aerobics and Qi Gong. There is a special programme run for those over 60 at ASV in conjunction with the University of Aberdeen Sport & Exercise Team called Evergreens. The programme also includes classes for people who are beginning exercise for the first time and range from Zumba Gold and pilates, to ladies walking football and pickleball (I know, YouTube). aberdeensportsvillage.com

LOCAL INTERESTS

Boot Camps – British Military Fitness are an outfit who run structured fitness sessions in Duthie Park, Hazelhead Park and Kincorth Community centre. This may conjure up the image of a red-faced sergeant major, but the sessions are tailored to three levels of fitness and you wear a coloured vest to show which group you’re in. Anyone 16 and over can join and the first session is free. britmilfit.com/ where-we-train/aberdeen Transition Extreme opened its doors in 2007 and has been providing adrenaline-laced activities ever since. If you prefer your fitness challenge with a bit of an edge, why not learn to skateboard or ride a BMX bike? There is a 15m high climbing wall with Learn to Climb and Learn to Lead sessions tailored to your age and expertise. Outside is The Rig, an assortment of high rope activities, including a trekking obstacle course, abseiling and the Gladiator Challenge. transition-extreme.com Friskis&Svettis is a Swedish based exercise formula which claims to ‘create a bridge between healthcare and keep fit activities’. Two types of activity are offered, the Jympa exercise class and Viking Hiking, Nordic walking with poles which takes place all year round from Hazlehead Park. Beginners are welcome and the dynamic style of walking strengthens the upper body as well as the lower. fsaberdeen.co.uk SportAberdeen is a charitable organisation that runs classes covering a wide variety of abilities and activities. These include low impact Live Well classes, including Floatfit, a 30 minute HIIT workout on water; Les Mills classes specially designed for those with health conditions; Health Walks and skating lessons at Aberdeen’s Linx Ice Arena. sportaberdeen.co.uk With the ski season just round the corner, why not learn to ski or snowboard at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre, where they run one hour adult taster sessions so you can have a go first. If you’re already a snowsports enthusiast and fancy taking it to the next level, how about signing up for an airbag session, where you

LOCAL INTERESTS

WIN A YEAR OF ASV LIFESTYLE MEMBERSHIP can try out jumps and tricks and then land on a giant air-filled cushion! Once you’ve brushed up your technique, you can fly direct to Geneva for some fun on the Swiss slopes direct from Aberdeen International Airport. aberdeensnowsports.com Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) has everything you need under one roof to give you the opportunity to reach and maintain your health and fitness lifestyle goals. An ASV Lifestyle membership will give you so much more than a typical gym membership with benefits including: > > >

A personal trainer induction – your current fitness levels will be reviewed to understand your goals, and provide a programme tailored to your needs. The programme can then be reviewed every six weeks. Exercise class and facility access – free access to more than 100 weekly exercise and lifestyle classes ranging from Les Mills Body Jam and Body pump to Yoga and Zumba. Aquatics and health suite – the Olympic standard 50m pool and 25m swimming and diving pool offer sessions for swimming courses as well as public diving sessions.

We are giving you the chance to win an ASV Lifestyle membership for a whole year, giving you access to the gym, aquatics and health suite, squash courts and more including a choice of more than 100 weekly exercise classes. For your chance to win this fantastic prize enter online at

aberdeenairport.com/competitions

If you have a bike and would like to get on it, then Aberdeen Cycle Forum and Cyclists’ Touring Club offer a free guided cycle ride in the city on a mixture of roads and cycle paths aimed at beginners. Aberdeen City Council have a downloadable Aberdeen Cycle Map showing cycle lanes, cycle shops, good places to park and lock bikes as well as recommended quiet and recreational routes around the city. aberdeencycleforum.org.uk Combine your desire for selfimprovement with a useful skill at Aberdeen Martial Arts Group. The organisation offers training for complete beginners on the fundamentals of martial arts, Brazilian JuJitsu, Filipino Martial Arts (used for self defence) and a kickboxing programme that can be traced back to Bruce Lee. amag.co.uk Plenty of choice and all right here in Aberdeen, so no excuses – pick a challenge and go for it!

NEW DESTINATION

You might have a preconceived notion or two about Benidorm and its neighbours on the Costa Blanca, but Alicante and the surrounding area has steadily retained its popularity since the 1970s and there are some good solid reasons for that status. Holidaymakers flock to the seaside resorts in summer, but the area still has much to offer all year round. SPORTY TYPES An average temperature of 16˚C in winter and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, mean that active holidays are very popular on the ‘White Coast’, more than 200km of coastline on the east coast of Spain. By heading inland for just 30km or so, cyclists are treated to miles of quiet mountain routes in the Marina Alta and Marina Baixa. Short-haul cycling holidays are popular, but there is plenty of bike hire available if you prefer to self-guide. The Costa Blanca Bike Race is also held over four days in January, taking riders through Benidorm, Alfaz del Pi, Polop

and Finestrait. There is also ample opportunity for climbing, hiking and horseback riding, all activities that benefit from the slightly cooler winter temperatures. Spain is famous for its golf courses, and the Costa Blanca has over 15 courses located less than 45 minutes’ drive from Alicante airport. These range from the original Villamartin course, which was built in 1972, to La Selia - situated on the slopes of a mountain next to Montgó Natural Park and designed by golfing legend José María Olazábal.

A LA CARTE Food has to be top of the menu of reasons to visit this area, with many local families still in the business of making, harvesting and selling the products of all that sunshine. Lots of towns have markets right the way through the winter season, and you can still buy fresh seafood direct from the fishermen in Jávea and Moraira. The region is also well known for cured meats, herbs and spices (particularly saffron), orange blossom honey, and beautiful fruit and vegetables. With such a cornucopia of local produce, it is hardly surprising that there are

NEW DESTINATION

plenty of impressive places to eat, as well as the opportunity to buy fresh seafood direct from the fishermen in Jávea and Moraira. The region is also well known for cured meats, herbs and spices (particularly saffron), orange blossom honey, and beautiful fruit and vegetables. With such a cornucopia of local produce, it is hardly surprising that there are plenty of

harbour. The Orba Valley is host to clusters of charmingly authentic Spanish villages set alongside the Girona River and amongst the Sierra del Recingle and Caval and Migdia Sierras, providing an excellent base for walking and a peaceful retreat. The Jalon Valley runs beside the Gorgos River, and is home to many specialist producers in the small villages there, including

impressive places to eat, as well as bodegas and tavernas where you can delight in local olives and wine. Try Monastell or Nou Manol Eín in Alicante, the chef of the former is known as the ‘saffron queen’, while the latter has earned the compliment ‘one of the best tapas bars in Spain’ from Ferrán Adrià, chef patron of El Bulli. Casa del Maco in Benissa has a wine paired menu and La Sort Restaurant in Benissa has an excellent menu to suit most pockets.

wine, reed baskets and honey. Sample local dishes such as garlic mushrooms, sardines and stuffed tomatoes and marvel at intricate medieval art in the many churches dotted throughout the countryside.

COUNTRY FLAVOURS The region is full of fascinating villages and gorgeous countryside, head north of Alicante for a more unspoilt vibe. Dénia is dominated by an 18th century castle, has 20km of clean sandy beaches and rocky coves for scuba diving; whilst Jávea is a pretty portside town set on a hill, with a backdrop of whitewashed houses and fishing boats in the

GETTING AROUND Alicante is a wellconnected transport hub, receiving many flights from Northern Europe daily, and it’s a quick hop onwards to the major cities of Spain, such as Madrid and Barcelona. There are excellent road and rail links up and down the coast, as well as an electric tram to Benidorm. Alicante is also a port city with a cruise terminal, and ferries to take you to the Balearics and Africa. Ryanair will fly from Aberdeen to Alicante twice a week from February 2017. Flights can be booked now on ryanair.com

APRIL Burial of the Sardine Processions and events all over the country during Holy Week (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday) MAY & JUNE Three Cultures International Festival, Murcia Hogueras de San Juan a festival dedicated to fire

JUNE & JULY International Jazz Festival, San Javier

AIRLINE FOCUS

ith a total of 14 flights a week from Aberdeen Lufthansa continues to lead the way for Scottish travellers. As well as providing direct links from Aberdeen to Frankfurt the service also offers quick and easy onward connections to Lufthansaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network of over 280 destinations in 80 countries worldwide, offering you the choice of city destinations for business trips as well as getaway destinations when travelling for leisure. lh.com

Lufthansa continues to enhance the on-board experience for customers. In addition there is the added option of a high quality Premium Economy product on Lufthansa longhaul services. The new seat is wider and can be tilted further back so has increased personal space by about half compared to Economy. A separate wide armrest for each seat and a centre console between the seats also ensure extra privacy. The adjustable headrest can be folded at the sides and gives comfortable support. Height adjustable footrests from the second row and - for design reasons - leg

supports with integrated footrest in the front row provide additional comfort. Premium Economy passengers also benefit from twice as much free baggage allowance as in Economy Class with two pieces of luggage up to 23 kg each. An upgraded on board experience also allows passegers to control the extensive in-flight entertainment programme with their own touch-screen (screen size from 11 to 12 inches - 28 to 30 centimetres). Each seat also offers a USB port and an electrical outlet so passengers can use their own devices.

HEADER

SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA Originally the capital of California, this ultra-modern city has the lifeblood of technology running through its Spanish veins. Downtown is filled with museums and art galleries, whilst the Japanese Friendship and History Parks provide

or tango night – held in clubs and halls all over the city. Head for the Malba Colleción Costantini to experience art by heavyweights Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, as well as contemporary local artists. Autumn is polo season and the Argentine Open 2016 takes place

hosts excellent snorkelling and diving, and you will also have the chance to see the Panama Canal, sometimes known as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

idyllic city centre picnic spots. Shoppers should head down Santana Row, and film buffs should note that San José hosts two film festivals in the month of October alone. At Christmastime, the Plaza de Cesar Chavez transforms into a two acre winter wonderland, and visitors to the Fantasy of Lights are treated to a 1.5 mile drive or walk through light tunnels, animated and illuminated dragons, dinosaurs and an erupting volcano.

in November, an event attended by a very glamourous crowd. The upscale shopper’s paradise is in Palermo Viejo, or if you prefer an antique or vintage find, then the market at San Telmo should do the trick.

best at many things, and super-efficient trains, ferries, buses and trams can wizz you around this manic city in record time. Catch the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour at 8pm every night to see the Symphony of Light - more than 40 skyscrapers lit up along with lasers and searchlights synchronised to music and narration. Shop in Mongkok, where specialist markets are stacked up on top of each other in high rises, or choose between Disney and Ocean Park theme parks for a Halloween visit. Of course if you need to let off some steam, then in you can be transported in just 20 minutes to idyllic beaches and mountain trails.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA The birthplace of tango, home of the gaucho and forever synonymous with beef, Argentina’s capital city is an intoxicating experience. To get to grips with the sexy dance, go to a milonga

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA Panama is a narrow bridge of land which connects North and South America, and it manages to capture the best of both worlds. There are Caribbean and Pacific style beaches, and more than 1,000 islands off the coast. The city sits right next to tropical rainforests and jawdropping mountain ranges, as well as a vast array of animal and bird species, and there are guided trips to take you into the heart of nature. The coastline

HONG KONG Hong Kong prides itself on being the

22 RETAIL

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Caroline Fyfe From: Inverurie | Travelling to: Leeds

I’m travelling to and from Leeds quite a bit with work at the moment. I wouldn’t leave home without my toiletries and straighteners, and the thing I love about flying is that it saves driving. My pick for a winter

break would be Newfoundland in Canada, and my top tip would be to check the Aberdeen Airport website before you leave, to find out about any delays or travel information.

We chat to passengers travelling from Aberdeen International Airport and find out what they always make sure to pack and where their favourite winter holiday destination is.

Claudia & Ron Green From: Seattle | Travelling to: Manchester

We’re here for our son’s wedding in Manchester and thought we’d tour some of the rest of the country, in fact we’re just back from Orkney. Ron would never leave home without his iPod and I always bring Ziploc bags,

they are so handy! Our favourite winter holiday destination would be Hawaii, and I love the view when you’re up in an aeroplane. My top tip would be pack fewer clothes and leave room for souvenirs.

Gary Yeoman

Robert Moores

Liam Kent

From: Aberdeen | Travelling to: Oslo

From: London | Travelling to: Sumburgh

From: Norwich | Travelling to: Norwich

I always make sure I have my phone and charger with me. My favourite thing about flying is arriving at my destination and my top tip would be arrive early at the airport. My ideal winter break would be in Tenerife.

Sun cream and my phone are my absolute essentials. The best bit about flying is watching the ground shrink away from you after take off, and my top tip for flying is take one of those booster packs for charging in case you can’t find a plug. My ideal winter destination would be Japan.

I’d never leave home without my phone, passport and wallet, you can replace pretty much everything else. My favourite place for a winter break would be Thailand, and the best bit about flying is when it’s taking you home. My top tip would be to try and manage with just hand luggage, it makes everything quicker.

LONG HAUL DESTINATIONS

ABU DHABI WITH KLM A luxury holiday in the desert? Fly KLM to Abu Dhabi and go sunbathing, peruse the markets or shop in the Marina Mall. See the reconstructed oasis houses and discover the history of the UAE at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village. Visit the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque and leave impressed after seeing the largest carpet in the world and the biggest chandelier. Time to relax? Stroll along the boulevard of Corniche Road or visit a nearby beach. Loving speed? The Ferrari World theme park is home to the fastest roller coaster in the world. Abu Dhabi also makes a great starting point for a longer holiday in the United Arab Emirates. Book your flights via Amsterdam at klm.com CAPE TOWN WITH AIR FRANCE Discover this amazing South African city located beneath Table Mountain, an iconic natural spectacle that offers astonishing views over the Cape of Good Hope. Rent a car and experience a wildlife safari adventure, you might just catch a glimpse of one of the Big Five! Sip on a fine wine at one of the famous vineyards in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek or experience true South African culture at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront. In Cape Town, you will also discover an absorbing history; be moved by the likes of Slave Lodge and Robben Island. Looking for something more relaxing? The city offers plenty of beaches for sunbathing. Start your South African adventure here. Book your flights via Paris at airfrance.co.uk EDMONTON & JASPER WITH ICELANDAIR Edmonton is a big city with a small town vibe that blends with Jasperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s untouched natural playground for a perfect for a down to earth adventure. Peruse the 800+ retailers at West Edmonton Mall or explore 160km of river valley trails. Edmonton has festivals and events happening year round, from the Deep Freeze Festival, 9-10 January to a giant ice castle in Hawrelak Park. UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jasper National Park should be top of your bucket list. Jasper is the perfect setting for skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, glacier hiking, dogsledding and more, as well as being a designated Dark Sky Preserve with ideal stargazing conditions. If you time it right, you can even take a front seat to one of the most magnificent shows on earth: the Northern Lights.Â Book your flights via Reykjavik at icelandair.co.uk

LONG HAUL DESTINATIONS

RIO WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS On 13 November this year, the penultimate Grand Prix Brasil is being held in São Paulo on the Interlagos circuit. A short flight or high speed train ride from Rio de Janeiro, this race is known for being the bumpiest and one of the few raced in an anti-clockwise direction. December brings the Christmas celebrations, and around 1 December you can see the world’s largest (85m) floating Christmas Tree in the Lago Rodrigo de Freitas. Rio loves a party, and on New Year’s Eve around two million people come to party at Reveillon on Copacobana Beach with live music, firework shows and plenty of dancing. Book your flights via London Heathrow at britishairways.com SINGAPORE WITH LUFTHANSA Spend a day at the Singapore Botanical Gardens and marvel at the National Orchid Garden therein, with over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids on display. The new development Gardens by the Bay features the world’s largest greenhouse, the Flower Dome and 18 manmade Supertrees, some of which are 16 storeys high. There is a spectacular sound and light display every night, and both gardens are open from 5am when the temperature is a little cooler. If technology is your passion, then head for Funan Digitalife Mall or Sim Lim Square to grab a gadget, or browse Orchard Road for designer names. Fabulous cuisine and shopping await in Chinatown and Little India, whilst Haji Lane is the place to go for hipster fashion. Book your flights via Frankfurt at LH.com TOKYO WITH SAS This vast city has many distinct areas, each with its own charm and character, and many hold their own festivals. Try a Halloween parade with a difference in Kagurazaka Supernatural Cat Festival – everyone must be dressed as a cat! From September until November the Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa has a cosmos flower festival, with acres of fields full of the gorgeous pink, purple and white flowers, as well as a dragonfly marsh and bird sanctuaries. Diwali will be celebrated by more than 200,000 in Yamashita Park in Yokohama, with delicious curries and breads, Bollywood style dancing, yoga and thousands of candles. Tokyo’s Midtown will hold its annual Light Festival in December, of which the highlight is the Starlight Garden. Book your flight via Copenhagen at flysas.com

There’s a world of choice to connect long-haul to any global destination with our global carriers at Aberdeen International Airport this season.

KEF

INTERNATIONAL: > ALICANTE with Ryanair (from Feb 2017) > AMSTERDAM with KLM > BERGEN with Eastern Airways, & Widerøe > BOURGAS with Balkan Holidays > COPENHAGEN with SAS > CORFU with Thomson & First Choice > DALAMAN with Thomson & First Choice > DUBLIN with Aer Lingus > DUBROVNIK with Omega Holidays (from July 2017) > ESBJERG with bmi regional

> FARO with Ryanair (from May 2017), Thomson & First Choice > FRANKFURT with Lufthansa > FRIEDRICHSHAFEN with Omega Holidays (from July 2017) > GDAŃSK with Wizz Air > GENEVA with easyJet > GRAN CANARIA with Thomson & First Choice > IBIZA with Thomson & First Choice > MÁLAGA with Ryanair (from Feb 2017) > NAPLES with Newmarket Holidays & Omega Holidays

> > > > > > > > > >

OSLO with bmi regional & SAS PALMA with Thomson & First Choice PARIS with Air France REYKJAVIK with Icelandair RIGA with airBaltic (from May 2017) STAVANGER with Eastern Airways, SAS & Widerøe TENERIFE with Thomson & First Choice WARSAW with Wizz Air VENICE with Omega Holidays (from July 2017) VERONA with Newmarket Holidays

> > > > >

NEWCASTLE with Eastern Airways NORWICH with bmi regional & Eastern Airways SOUTHAMPTON with Eastern Airways STORNOWAY with Eastern Airways SUMBURGH with Loganair

DOMESTIC: > > > > > > >

BELFAST CITY with Flybe BIRMINGHAM with Flybe BRISTOL with bmi regional CARDIFF with Eastern Airways DURHAM TEES VALLEY with Eastern Airways EAST MIDLANDS with Eastern Airways HUMBERSIDE with

> > > > > > >

JERSEY with Jersey Holidays KIRKWALL with Loganair LEEDS BRADFORD with Eastern Airways LONDON CITY with Flybe LONDON GATWICK with easyJet LONDON HEATHROW with British Airways LONDON LUTON with easyJet

Eastern Airways

> MANCHESTER with Flybe

> WICK with Eastern Airways

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SUMMER DESTINATIONS

Looking for some sunshine? Planning ahead for next summer? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure to catch the sun at these idyllic holiday hotspots, flying directly from Aberdeen.

JERSEY Discover the beautiful island of Jersey, only a couple of hoursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; flight south from Aberdeen. The charming blend of English and French culture operates its magic as soon as you land with a relaxed atmosphere and a cosmopolitan feel. Jersey is famous for its golden beaches and delicious local produce including Jersey Royal potatoes, Jersey dairy ice cream and locally caught seafood. Why not spend more time exploring? Two mighty castles set the historical scene magnificently and while the Jersey War Tunnels take you through the Occupation years with its spine-chilling

exhibition, a visit to the Durrell Wildlife Park will enchant all animal lovers. Musical and cultural events add even more colour to island life, from the poignant Liberation celebrations in May to the ever popular Battle of Flowers in August and the International Air Display day in September. jerseytravel.co.uk

CORFU Corfu has 217km of coastline, featuring rocky outcrops and hidden coves for snorkelling and scuba diving and beaches for every kind of activity, including a relaxing read. The island has a mild Mediterranean

climate and is very green and lush, dotted with olive groves and citrus orchards. There are beautiful palaces, gardens and castles to visit, and Corfu Town is a cosmopolitan focal point with sophisticated shopping, traditional music concerts and lots of opportunities for people watching. Feast on local delicacies such as wild honey, fig cakes, sardines and local wine. thomson.co.uk; firstchoice.co.uk

ALICANTE Alicante is one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities in Europe, with year round sunshine and lively nightlife along with great culture and history

SUMMER DESTINATIONS

and historic cities. Epicentre of the Roman Empire and birthplace of the Renaissance, this sun-kissed country is the home to cultural and architectural treasures - it’s here that you’ll encounter Michelangelo’s David and the Sistine Chapel frescoes, the aweinspiring preserved ruins of Pompeii and da Vinci’s The Last Supper. In fact, Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites than any other country on earth, and if that’s not enough, Italy is also a land of unspoiled scenic beauty. The landscapes are contrasting and dramatic - from the beauty of the Neapolitan Riviera to the rolling Tuscan hills. There really is something for everyone, deciding on what to discover in this wonderful country might be your biggest problem! newmarketholidays.co.uk

DUBROVNIK Dubrovnik is situated on the Dalmatian Coast and is ranked as one of the best medieval walled towns in the world. The pedestrianised cobbled lanes of the Old Town are steeped in history, boasting spectacular Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches,

for sightseers. Situated on the Costa Blanca on the South-eastern coast of Spain means that it is just a hop away from 200km of sun drenched beaches along the coast if all you want to do is soak up the sun. Benidorm, Torrevieja, Denia, Moraira and Altea are just some of the resorts that are easily accessible from Alicante airport. Read pages 17-19 for more on Alicante and the surrounding areas. ryanair.com

BOURGAS From the 8km long Sunny Beach with its buzzing seaside promenade complete with bars, restaurants, water sports, aquaparks and fairground, to

the UNESCO world heritage site of Old Nessebar with 3,000 years of history, remains of over 40 churches and a picturesque harbour, Bulgaria’s golden Black Sea coast has something for everyone in the Summer. Great value for money is what Bulgaria does best, once again named as the best value for money resort in Europe in the 2016 Post Office Travel money survey. You can still buy an evening meal for around £10 and pint of beer for under £1. balkanholidays.co.uk

monasteries, palaces and fountains. For breathtaking views of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, the crystal clear Adriatic Sea and Elaphiti Islands use the cable car to reach the top of Srđ Hill. Klolocep, Lopud and Sipan are the only three inhabited islands of the Elaphiti Archipelago and it’s well worth taking a day to island hop and discover olive and citrus groves, outstanding beaches and picturesque old villages. omega-holidays.com

ITALY Rest, relax and explore in enchanting Italy, a land of breath-taking beauty

01. DarrenBuss 02. Poike 03. Jack F 04. RolfSt 05. sliper84 06. ivanmateev/Thinkstock.com

LOCAL FLAVOURS

It had been more than 10 years since Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been to Pittodrie House, so I had been looking forward to the evening for some time and it did not disappoint. It started in the Drawing Room where we sipped wine looking over the immaculate gardens. Without prompting we were presented with the menus and our orders taken allowing us to continue with our drinks, while the starters were prepared. We were taken through to

the dining room, where we were offered a choice of freshly baked bread rolls, before our first course arrived. My scallops were perfectly pan fried and melted in the month, while Rhona said that her smoked salmon had a wonderful balance of smoke and salt. For our main courses, Rhona thoroughly enjoyed her monkfish tails. I went for the fillet steak which was firm and full of flavour, while the hand cooked chips were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The wine that we each chose

LOCAL FLAVOURS

“The food was matched by the quality of service which was attentive but not intrusive and allowed us to relax

Win a stay at Macdonald Norwood Hall

completely.” Macdonald Hotels have 2 stunning venues within Aberdeen and the shire, Macdonald Norwood Hall and Macdonald Pittodrie House.

Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel was built in 1881 on the site of the 15th Century Pitfodels Castle, offering guests the best in breathtaking Scottish scenery and fine facilities. Conveniently located within easy reach of the historic city centre, Norwood hall Hotel in Aberdeen is a popular choice for anyone visiting Aberdeen on holiday, business or to attend family events such as wedding receptions. This Aberdeen hotel is a perfect venue for celebrations, events and conferences - Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel boasts superb guest accommodation and stylish meeting and function rooms, plus breathtaking gardens and surrounding woodland. at the recommendation of the maitre d’ perfectly complemented our meals. Dessert was the cheeseboard for me, and white chocolate parfait for Rhona. Mine was a selection of four Scottish cheeses, with pear compote and thin oatcakes. While they were all delicious, the compote was a real standout, although to be honest I wish I had gone for parfait which was rich and ridiculously creamy. The food was matched by the quality of service which was attentive but not intrusive and allowed us to relax completely. All in all it was a great night out, with the meal as good as anything I’ve had in Aberdeen for years.

Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel makes an ideal base for country adventures. Roam the beautiful Scottish countryside and marvel in the glorious scenery the Aberdeen area has to offer. And once you’ve finished exploring, we recommend a visit to our fabulous 2AA Rosette Tapestry Restaurant to sample some of the fine fare on offer.

By Tony Dinozzi, Volunteer for Archie’s High 10 programme

We are giving you the chance to win two nights bed & breakfast for two people sharing an Executive Room with dinner on the first night, plus a bottle of prosecco in the room on arrival. Enter online at aberdeenairport. com/competitions for your chance to win this fantastic prize! Terms and conditions apply.

LOCAL FLAVOURS

“The carbonara was absolutely delicious and the best I have tasted...”

his is a part of Aberdeen I do not often frequent, therefore it was nice to find the above Italian restaurant and more surprised to find it had been there for thirteen years. Situated in a quiet street it was good to escape from the intrusion of traffic noises. Our table was by a window with a pretty floral display in the window box. The staff were attentive but did not make you feel hurried, which I believe is essential to enjoying a meal. The ambience and atmosphere were agreeable and to my liking. The waiter offered to select the wine for the meal (I am not a connoisseur) and the wine selected was light and pleasing to the palate. The menu was varied and offered options for vegetarians and those who are glucose intolerant - it is good to be inclusive of different people’s tastes.

Reviewed by Jenny Robertson, CFINE volunteer

We ordered our starters and mains, we were given time between courses but not too much time. The food was authentic Italian and not corrupted by added ingredients to please British influences.

We had bruschetta and olives to begin, followed by lasagne and carbonara. The carbonara was absolutely delicious and the best I have tasted, we finished with coffee as were too full for sweets. At £13.95 for two courses plus wine and coffees, the price was very agreeable and in fact given the excellent quality of the food we believed was a bargain. I enjoyed Ciao Napoli and look forward to another visit. ciaonapoli.co.uk

36 OUTBOUND

airBaltic serves over 60 destinations from its home base in Riga and is ideal for those wanting to connect onwards to other destinations in the Baltic States such as Palanga, Tallinn and Vilnius. airBaltic takes best practice from both low cost airlines and traditional carriers with full business class service. By taking a hybrid approach airBaltic is able to strip its offer to the bare minimum, offering basic economy class tickets with the option of adding additional services such as luggage, meal on board, a specific seat and

others, whilst also reserving a section of the aircraft for a full service business traveller. The airline fly a number of aircraft; Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q400 and later in 2016 a brand new Bombardier CS300 will join the fleet. airBaltic was recognised as the world’s most punctual airline in 2015 for the second year in a row. FASCINATING RIGA Located on the Daugava River, Riga is the capital city of Latvia and the largest city in the

Baltic state. Visitors can expect stunning Art Nouveau and Hanseatic architecture, a great range of restaurants and cafés, and excellent nightlife. ART NOUVEAU DELIGHTS The architecture found in Riga is beautiful and diverse, so much so that it is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Gothic churches with eight centuries of history under their bell towers sit cheek by jowl with medieval dwellings in the Old Town; whilst simple wooden buildings juxtapose exquisite Art Nouveau architecture. Konstantīns Pēkšēns (1859 - 1928)

OUTBOUND

was one of the most prominent Latvian architects, designing more than 250 buildings, including one that he called home and which now houses the Riga Art Nouveau Museum. Art Nouveau

It is surrounded by lively restaurants for you to grab a bite to eat before enjoying the concert. Amongst an art centre and cafés in Spikeri Quarter you will find the Spikeri

quarter. Your taste buds will be in for a treat as you work your way through the market and discover local produce including jams, teas, meat and fish, so make sure you go with an appetite!

architecture graces over a third of buildings in Riga, bringing a fairy-tale feel to the city.

Concert Hall, a building used by the chamber orchestra Sinfonietta Riga and The Latvian Radio Choir for their performances.

You’ll also find stalls by local craftsmen and jewellers selling glassworks, jewellery and homeware. Riga Central Market is located on the border of the Old Town and dates back to the mid1920s, housed in the original German military Zeppelin hangers from World War 1, repurposed as a marketplace full of local Latvian and international produce.

INDULGE IN THE ARTS Splendid Palace is as the name suggests and may even be one of the most interesting cinemas in Europe. When it was built the founders believed that films should be enjoyed in the same setting as the opera, so created a Neo-Baroque exterior and a Neo-Rococo interior. During the summer on Thursday evenings the Kalnciems quarter hosts free open air concerts featuring musicians from Latvia and further afield, with artists ranging from local indie and alternative rock bands to jazz, folk and classical.

SHOP LOCAL Every weekend a farmers’ and craft market takes place in Kalnciems

Flights to Riga will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting 6 May 2017. Tickets can be booked now at airbaltic.com

SUNNY DESTINATIONS

In recent years, the hub of the Costa del Sol has been rebranded as the cultural capital of Andalucia, with a great range of museums, top class tapas bars and high-end shopping. With virtually year round sunshine and kind temperatures even in December, Mรกlaga and the surrounding region are great options for a getaway or city break at any time of the year.

SUNNY DESTINATIONS HEADER

ULTURE FOR ALL Málaga’s two most famous sons are Antonio Banderas and Pablo Picasso. Whilst you may be lucky enough to spot the former at Málaga’s Film Festival in March 2017, the latter has been honoured with a museum in his mother city, opened in 2003 in the Buenavista Palace. The museum holds 285 works donated by the Picasso family, and is situated a few streets away from the Casa Natal, Picasso’s birthplace. The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (CAC) is within a vast restored warehouse in the area called Soho de Málaga, particularly notable for art from the 1960s, plus a focus on contemporary Spanish artists. Entry is free and there is a reputable café and restaurant on site. Most recently on the culture scene is Málaga’s own Pop-up Pompidou Centre which opened in 2015 and is part of the regenerated port area. There are also some quirky little numbers: the Interactive Museum of Music, where the motto

is ‘please play’ rather than ‘do not touch’, as well as museums dedicated to dolls’ houses, flamenco dance and local wine. MEDITERRANEAN DIET Food from Mediterranean countries features widely in our cuisine these days, in fact the Mediterranean diet was officially recognised in 2010 as part of UNESCO’s World cultural heritage. Andalucia is the world’s largest producer of olive oil, and Málaga itself makes several significant contributions to the now world famous way of eating. The area is known for a white gazpacho, made from bread, olive oil, garlic and blanched almonds, served in a glass with moscatel grapes as an accompaniment. Pesciato frito is another local favourite, a mixed fish fry including fresh anchovies, squid rings, tiny sole, small hake and red mullet. The region produces a sweet white dessert wine from moscatel grapes, as well as white, red and rosé Sierras de Málaga.

SUNNY DESTINATIONS

March – Málaga Film Festival May – Jerez Horse Fair June – Cherry Festival in Alfarnate August – Dreambeach Music Festival in Almeria August – Sanlucar Beach horseraces

BEYOND THE BEACH Málaga and the Costa del Sol are rightly famous for golf, with more than 70 courses and an average of 15˚C during winter months. There are five Natural Parks, perfect for hiking, climbing, cycling and horseriding. The area has a well-

FURTHER AFIELD Of course you could head straight to Marbella or Puerto Banus and hope for an invitation to a yacht party, but there are many other delightful distractions on the Costa del Sol. Hire a car and take the winding roads among beautiful pueblos

earned reputation for spa and wellness breaks, and the area has lots to choose from, including the Hammam al Andalus Arab Baths in Málaga, where you can sip mint tea surrounded by the intricately decorated walls and atmospheric baths; or the Gran Hotel Elba Estepona & Thalasso Spa, where they have several seawater and mudbased treatments, water loungers, hot springs and an igloo! Families should head for the Bioparc in Fuengirola, an ‘immersion zoo’ where the designers have created a naturalistic jungle atmosphere from which to view the animals, or the Butterfly Park in Benalmadena where over 1,500 exotic butterflies dance inside a spectacular Thai temple.

blancos (white villages) such as Mijas, Comares and Frigiliana, or head east to the caves at Nerja, where you will find some of the oldest cave drawings ever discovered. Take a guided tour to Gibraltar and stand on top of the Rock, with Africa on one side and Europe at your feet, and maybe meet a monkey or two. Make your way up into the Sierra Nevada mountains, where there are ample opportunities for skiing and snowboarding during the winter season. Ryanair will fly from Aberdeen to Málaga twice a week from February 2017. Flights can be booked now on ryanair.com

Aberdeen Oktoberfest Castlegate, Aberdeen Dance Live Festival of 14-25 Contemporary Dance Various venues Scottish Ballet: Emergence 14&15 & Sibilo HMT, Aberdeen Aberdeen Comedy Festival 14 OCT - 5 NOV Various venues 12-16

19-23 20 OCT 6 NOV

29 29

1 1-5

3 6 6 17

Braemar Creative Arts Festival Aberdeenshire Sound Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Festival of New Music Various venues Halloween Monster Ball With Feeva Aberdeen Altens Hotel Illuminator Night Trail Half Marathon Glen Tanar, Aberdeenshire

Skills Scotland Aberdeen AECC, Aberdeen A Play, A Pie And A Pint Lemon Tree, Aberdeen Hayseed Dixie The Garage, Aberdeen Jazz On A Sunday Afternoon Blue Lamp, Aberdeen Christmas Fayre Norwood Hall, Aberdeen Annual Employment Law Conference AECC, Aberdeen 19&20

23 NOV 22 DEC

Flock Christmas Contemporary Craft & Design Fair, Woodend Barn, Aberdeenshire Frankfurt Christmas Market* Germany Black Grape Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen

3 DEC8 JAN

3-24

5 8

Dick McWhittington Panto 2016 HMT, Aberdeen Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs ACT, Aberdeen Leadership For Punks The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

10 19 25 31

9&10

Super Saturday Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen Willy Wonka Family Christmas Day Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen New Year’s Eve On The Champs-Elysées* Paris

Deep Freeze Festival* Edmonton Alberta, Canada Royal Shakespeare Company: The Tempest (Live Screening) Woodend Barn, Aberdeenshire Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Beethoven – The ‘Emperor’ HMT, Aberdeen Scottish Ballet: Hansel & Gretel HMT, Aberdeen Your Wedding Exhibition 21&22 AECC, Aberdeen The King & I 25-28 HMT, Aberdeen Burns Ceilidh Woodend Barn, 28 Aberdeenshire 18-21

LOCAL INTERESTS

We are blessed with a great many fabulous historic buildings and castles in Aberdeenshire, but quite a few of these are closed during the winter, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing worse than getting everybody ready and heading off only to find a closed sign. This is a guide to castles (ruined and whole) that are open all year round for games of knights and dragons, princesses in towers and creepy dungeons.

LOCAL INTERESTS

Crathes Castle is a pink turreted castle built by the Burnett of Leys family in the 16th century near to the village of Banchory. Now owned by the National Trust, the castle has winding staircases, painted ceilings and a Green Lady ghost, as well as six woodland trails, a Go Ape adventure course, and Arting Around - offering craft activities and soft play for little ones. This year Crathes have a programme

castle boasts a tiny picturesque chapel with a lovely stained glass window, and the ornate rose garden is worth a look in winter for the topiary and willow structures. At the moment Drum Castle is hosting the Northern Lights collection, on loan from Aberdeen Art Gallery during its restoration. This is a specially curated collection of contemporary art featuring more than thirty paintings and sculptures

of winter activities which includes Ghoulish Ghost Tours, a Film Fright Night outdoor screening of the Blair Witch Project (over 18s), a traditional children’s Halloween, and Christmas Wonderland in December. Open daily 11am to 4pm October to March.

including work by Joseph Farquharson, John Byrne, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Elizabeth Blackadder. Open 1 October to 24 December 11am – 4pm weekends only.

Just 10 miles from Aberdeen, you’ll find Drum Castle set in impressive woodland. Owned and lived in by the Irvine family for 650 years, the castle is one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses. Surrounded by gardens and next to an ancient oak woodland, Drum is a great place to see wildlife and views of surrounding countryside. There are several trails and a brand new play park which includes a wooden drum kit! The

Dunnottar Castle has always been at the centre of dramatic events. The ruined clifftop fortress was attacked by Vikings and William Wallace, home to the powerful Earls Marischal family, and visited by Mary Queen of Scots. In the 17th century an army garrison defended Scotland’s crown jewels, known as ‘The Honours’ for eight months from Oliver Cromwell’s army. As well as a stunning view, fascinating history and breathtaking coastline, Dunnottar also has two Pokémon gyms

LOCAL INTERESTS

and two Pokéstops, so something for all the family! Open October to March 10am -5pm (or half an hour before sunset, whichever is sooner). Used in modern times for film scenes in Mel Gibson’s Hamlet, and more recently Frankenstein with Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy. Delgatie Castle is an absolute treasure, tucked away off the Turriff to Banff road. The property is a charitable trust and is entirely run by volunteers. The Laird’s Kitchen serves award-winning cakes and scones, as well as lunches made from local produce, as well as highland cattle and ponies to visit. The castle is well worth a visit, with suits of armour, painted ceilings and even a rhino head on one of the walls. Traditional Victorian Christmas weekends are

being held on 26 & 27 November and 3 & 4 December this year including a craft fair, staff in Victorian costume and lavish decorations throughout, as well as Santa of course! Open 10am – 5pm daily apart from two weeks over Christmas and New Year. Duff House in Banff, whilst not strictly a castle, is a stunning early Georgian mansion designed by William Adam, set in stately parkland. The building has been a family home, sanatorium, hotel and prisoner-of-war camp, but now houses a gallery on two floors full of magnificent paintings and the Dunimarle Library, a collection of over 4,000 rare books which can be viewed by appointment. There are lovely walks in the surrounding grounds, and a favourite autumn activity is collecting conkers from the huge horse chestnut trees. Collect a free quiz for the

children at Halloween and Christmas, and this year you can step into the 1800s with Duke of Fife (who had the house built) as he celebrates Christmas in his splendid home and learn about the origins of our festive traditions. Kinnaird Head Castle & Lighthouse make up two of the ‘nine castles of the knuckle’ along the Buchan Coast. Originally a castle built in the 16th century by the Frasers of Philorth, the building was converted into a Scotland’s first lighthouse, whilst retaining the original castle by Robert Louis Stevenson. Tickets give entry to the castle, lighthouse and museum where you can learn about the lives of lighthouse keepers, meet C3PO and see how to build a lighthouse on a rock in the stormy sea. Guided tours are available – open 11am to 3pm November to March.

LOCAL HERO

Local Hero r. Marianne Nicolson was once rewarded with a stethoscope for her stoicism in the face of hospital treatment for a squashed finger, and a career as a hospital doctor has been in her sights ever since. Born and brought up in Morayshire, she has been responsible for developing a clinical research programme focused on the treatment of lung cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancer and malignant melanoma at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary since 1994. For five years until 2015, she chaired the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NCRI lung cancer Clinical Studies Group. How did you come to be a consultant? It all started that day when I had to go and get my fingernail removed at Leanchoil Hospital in Forres after my mum squashed it in a door, and I still remember the sights and sounds of the hospital, how exciting and urgent the atmosphere was. My mother bought me a plastic stethoscope set for being good which I treasured, and although my parents were farmers, I knew I wanted to work with humans. I went to Edinburgh to study as I wanted to experience life away from home, came back to get my post grad MRCP in Aberdeen, then

I applied for a place studying oncology at the Royal Marsden in London. Why oncology? I chose cancer because it is a field that is constantly changing and developing, and I have a fear of boredom. I feel strongly that unless you are being challenged and stimulated, that you will not produce your best work. Also the patients are brave and genuine and I feel privileged to be able to help them. A consultant at the Royal Marsden gave me some great advice when he told me to avoid doing only clinical work and spread out into research, strategy and education. Heeding that advice has enabled me to stay engaged and be more effective than if I had taken a narrower path. What are the most rewarding parts of the job? Firstly being able to work as part of a team. No-one can operate effectively alone, and I am only able to achieve great results with the help of others in my team. Whether that is working alongside other disciplines and nurse specialists making research possible, or creating and maintaining close relationships with the pharmaceutical companies who have the cash and infrastructure to make drugs available quickly, we are all as important as each other.

LOCAL HERO

My father once said, “Nobody ever wants to see you”, and he was right because if people are meeting me professionally , it is almost certainly a difficult time; but I believe that if I can gain trust, build a rapport and create a culture of honesty and compassion, whilst helping patients to get the best care and access to treatment possible, then that is its own reward. What are the biggest changes you have seen? One of the biggest differences in my line of work is the role of the patient in their own care. The days of the paternalistic doctor and the patient struggling with limited information are, if not behind us, then at least rapidly receding. Now we strive to make the patient at the centre of everything; decision making, their treatment plan and all discussions concerning their condition. Many patients now come into a consultation armed with folders of information gleaned from research on the internet, and I don’t see that as a bad thing. We all have access to much more information, and the ability to access it freely means the patients will often be quite knowledgeable about their options regarding treatment and therapies, and that all becomes part of the discussion. Who has inspired you? My first influencers were my parents. They both had a very strong work ethic, great values and firmly held opinions, and those qualities were cemented during many a lively, kitchen-table thumping discussion with my sister and brothers. The second big influence in my life was a lady called Jean Maciver who taught me at Logie School near Forres. She was a glamourous, redheaded Mancunian who with her fellow teacher husband from Lewis captivated every single one of the 60 pupils. Jean was very focused

on drama and the arts, and I appreciate her training every time I speak in public. My final hero has to be Professor Tim McElwain, or Mac as he was affectionately known at the Royal Marsden Hospital. He was larger than life in every way, enormously kind and extremely focused. He was a great influence on my professional choices and gently steered me back into oncology at a time when I was wavering. How does your work benefit from the Friends of ANCHOR charity? We are very lucky in NHS Grampian to have the Friends of ANCHOR which is a local fundraising charity dedicated to support purchase of equipment and other times that the NHS may not be able to provide. One of the best features is that all of the money raised is spent locally on these items, since all staff and associated costs are covered by the generosity of the chairman, Mr James Milne, who founded and chairs the committee. All clinicians and nurses working in cancer are encouraged to apply for funds to support various projects and the benefits of it are easy to see. And finally, where do you go to ‘get away from it all’? We have a holiday house in Findhorn, and I always feel like a better person when I take that right turn from Kinloss! If we’re talking about abroad though, my husband, daughter and I love Italy, particularly the lakes or Umbria. I do have a pipe dream for retirement of perhaps living for a month in Venice, just absorbing the otherworldliness of that unique city. Of course I do get to travel with work, and one of the most memorable opportunities was a trip to lecture in Buenos Aires when I was still an oncology trainee – I remember vividly the tours around the city and the introduction to the tango!

THE BEAT GOES ON

Terry Dawson | Pitcairn Island

Kris Willey | German Bight, North Coast of Germany Natasha Ross | Silverstone

Adrian Gomes | Boston, USA Jonathan Graham | Gettysburg, USA

WIN A Â£100 VOUCHER to spend at World Duty Free, at Aberdeen International Airport.

THE BEAT GOES ON

Beatrice Neish | Budapest, Hungary

Wilma Chestnut | Gran Canaria

Robert Ironside | Winnipeg, Canada

Marek Wilowski | Tokyo, Japan

Jennifer Green | Boston, USA

Zachary & Rachel Rist | Italy

Emmanuelle Clerc | Marseille, France Judith Jordan | Tuscany, Italy

May Ironside | Toronto, Canada

RafaĹ&#x201A; Wilowski | Kyoto, Japan Jiro Mukai | Tokyo, Japan

WORDS WORTH READING

Tennison by Lynda La Plante For those of us who have followed the angst-ridden career of DCI Jane Tennison since the defiant character first appeared on our TV screens back in 1991, and who associate the actress Helen Mirren with the character so closely that we imagine her other acting roles as just fill-ins between real murder cases, Lynda La Plante’s latest novel in the series is a real indulgence. The novel is in fact a prequel and La Plante takes us back to Jane’s probation period in the Met, when the naïve and suburban 22-year-old is assigned to crime-ridden

Hackney, where male chauvinism is rife and, in a world before computers, where the height of crime-busting technology is a well-maintained index card system. La Plante deftly lays the ground work for Jane’s subsequent slide into cynicism, but also for the development of her real gift for detective work. Guessing this will be snapped up for TV soon – but who would dare to play the young Jane? Chris Bain, Aberdeen Harbour

Three North-east airport users recommend some riveting in-flight reading from WHSmith’s latest list of top 20 bestsellers.

Make Me by Lee Child My perfect holiday read would have to be one of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels. Having read most of his books I know that I am guaranteed a good read. There is always a good, gripping storyline which is full of action and keeps me engrossed from the very first page. There are usually plenty of plot twists and the character of Jack

Reacher never fails to disappoint as he continues to evade tricky situations. So if you are looking for an actionpacked and gripping read that is difficult to put down then this one is definitely for you! Pat Easdon, Customer Service Assistant, World Duty Free

Sweet Caress: The Many Lives of Amory Clay by William Boyd Having already read some of William Boyd’s work, I picked Sweet Caress: The many Lives of Amory Clay, fully prepared to love and hate it at the same time! The book is definitely a fiction and I definitely want it to be a biography. The book tells the story of Amory Clay, a beautiful woman who is naturally embracing the pre-war burgeoning

women’s emancipation movement. As a photographer, her life is exotic and pleasantly romanticised by Boyd making it an easy, sweet and informative book perfect to accompany any journey. Sandrine Swetenham, Marketing Coordinator, C.I Travel Group

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01 | In memory of one of our dear colleagues who sadly passed away earlier this year, the airport donated ÂŁ500 to British Heart Foundation Scotland. 02 | Pianist Edvard Veldman from the Netherlands, travelled to Aberdeen for the sole reason of playing the piano in our terminal! 03 | Scottish Swimmer Hannah Miley was given a Samba send-off to remember, as she flew from Aberdeen to Rio to compete in the Olympic Games. 04 | Alison Scott, who works in our World Duty Free store, won a trip to Malawi as part of a company incentive organised by bottled water company One Water. Alison will be travelling to the country in November to help provide clean water to thousands of vulnerable people. 05 | Working with Icelandair, we invited travel agents from the local area to the airport for a tour of our facilities and the aircraft used to service the route from Aberdeen to Reykjavik.

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