Aberdeen International Airport upBEAT Magazine Spring 2017 issue by Aberdeen International Airport

Bristol: Brunel to Banksy Shall we GdaĹ&#x201E;sk? Beat a path to Ibiza The Great Aberdeen Run

4 CONTENTS

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BUSINESS 6 Airport News 9 Terminal Transformation 10 The new Northern Lights Executive Lounge 16 VisitAberdeenshire – update and festivals

Airport Contacts /contact Airport Guide /airportinformation Airport Jobs /jobs Airport Master Plan /masterplan Book Car Parking /parking Book Flights & Hotels /travel Check-in Information /checkin Competitions /competitions

PEOPLE 22 Mike’s on the Move

Destinations & Airlines /destinations Feedback /feedback

TRAVEL 12 Bristol: Brunel to Banksy 18 Beat a path to Ibiza 26 Connecting you to the world 30 Head for the sun

32 ABZ Adventurers 34 Local Flavours – Long Dog Café

36 Shall we Gdańsk?

44 Great Aberdeen Run 52 Words worth reading 54 Diary

SHOPPING 24 Casks and Crafts – our experts recommend the best whiskies and craft beers

Currency /currency Customer Charter /charter

COMPETITIONS 10 Win an upgraded executive lounge experience 50 The Beat Goes on

CULTURE 42 What’s on 47 Nuart Festival

Flight Timetables /timetables Live Flight Information /flightinfo Airport Newsletter /newsletter

Editorial Jan Leatham

Published by Trend Productions Ltd

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info@janleatham.co.uk

192 Holburn Street, Aberdeen AB10 6DA

Shopping /shopping

Sales & Marketing Clare Findlay

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Terminal & Car Park Maps /maps

Design Ryan Swinney

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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 (April 2017). Cover Image: © LuckyImages/stock.adobe.com

WELCOME

Bristol: Brunel to Banksy Shall we Gdańsk? Beat a path to Ibiza The Great Aberdeen Run

o Spring certainly leapt into Aberdeen during March with sunny blue skies and temperatures up at summertime levels. Unfortunately it was short-lived, and we’re now back to our more usual Spring weather. That’s a great time to start thinking about a summer break, and we have lots of ideas on where you can fly to from your local airport this year, including new routes commencing in May with Air Baltic serving the beautiful and fun city of Riga, and Ryanair flying twice weekly to Faro in the Algarve. The first phase of our terminal transformation is fast nearing completion and we are getting excited about showing off our new extension over the coming months. We hope you

will agree that the extension is a welcome improvement to the terminal, and that’s only the first

Bristol, a short hop fom Aberdeen and bursting with festivals and culture. We also take a look at what the Baltic

stage, with lots of more areas being transformed over the next two years. The airport transformation is only one small part of the current story of investment and change in the Aberdeen region. There are a number of exciting projects underway, such as the new city by-pass, a new harbour, new exhibition and conference centre, new hotels, upgrades to our Art Gallery and Music Hall to name but a few. I’m proud that the airport are playing their part in improving the infrastructure and impressing our visitors and locals alike. The region has a lot to be positive about with this remarkable investment programme. This issue of upBEAT showcases

port of Gdansk and the White Isle of Ibiza have to offer, as well as a new feature with intrepid adventurer Mike Diamond. There’s an update on VisitAberdeenshire, a visit to the Long Dog Café and an interview with one of the artists coming to decorate Aberdeen as part of the Nuart Festival in April. Finally, we preview the first ever Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run and look at what’s in store inside our new Compass Lounge, due to open at the beginning of July.

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). PLEASE NOTE: Service 80 - Jet Connect - operating until 5 May 2017 only. The mainline station is in Aberdeen City Centre where there are frequent services to all parts of Scotland. For further information, please visit: travelinescotland.com BY BUS Regular bus services operate to the airport from Aberdeen city centre. Jet Service 727 - Aberdeen Airport terminal to Aberdeen Union Square bus station, right by the city centre bus and train stations. Service 747 - Weekday-only service running between Peterhead and Dyce via the airport. For details call +44 (0) 1224 597590 or visit stagecoachbus.com. NEW: Service 16 7 days a week service to Guild Street in central Aberdeen. Details 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 ‘cleaner’ launches new Ryanair route in style Passengers on the inaugural Ryanair flight from Aberdeen to Málaga were treated to a surprise musical performance in our departure lounge by one of our cleaners - or that’s what they thought, at least… Local entertainer Dan Greavey, from Inverurie’s Right Here Productions, posed as a cleaner whilst the unsuspecting passengers waited for

board! It was all part of a spectacular route launch to welcome Ryanair back to Aberdeen Airport after a six-year hiatus. The day also involved a ribboncutting ceremony, fantastic prize giveaways, alongside complimentary cocktails and Ryanair-themed chocolates being presented to the first Málaga passengers.

their flight, before breaking into a stunning rendition of ‘Come Fly with Me’ just as they were preparing to

Watch the amazing moment crooning cleaner Dan surprised our passengers at facebook.com/aberdeenairport

Airport postcode is AB21 7DU. BY BICYCLE Aberdeen International Airport is a relatively easy airport to get

easyJet news

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.

From summer 2017, we are looking forward to an enhanced schedule on our London Luton service with easyJet. There will be more choice for passengers when flying from Aberdeen to the capital with daily flights, six days per week and an earlier departure time. Seats are on sale now at easyJet.com

AIRPORT NEWS

SIXT – new addition to our car rental village SIXT recently announced that they will begin operating at Aberdeen Airport in Spring 2017. Currently available for airport customers but in an offsite location, SIXT will join our existing partners in the car rental area adjacent to the terminal building. A spokesperson from SIXT said, ‘We are incredibly excited to announce the opening of our new site at Aberdeen International

Airport; the latest addition to the SIXT World. This exceptional location gives our customers a fast and convenient service with direct access from the terminal and with our private parking facility, situated on site, our fleet of premium vehicles will be just a few steps from the door. This venture with Aberdeen Airport will give us a platform to help even more travellers and businesses to drive first class at an economy rate.

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

> 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

Bonnes vacances! Flybe launch seasonal French connections

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.

> 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 and mobiles to be presented

separately.

Flybe recently announced a new leisure hub in Southampton opening up 12 additional regional connections, from Aberdeen to France and Italy on Saturdays and Sundays for summer. Passengers from our area will be able to connect seamlessly through

Southampton to Avignon, Bergerac Dordogne, Bordeaux, Brest, La Rochelle, Limoges, Nantes, Perpignan-Rivesaltes, Rennes, Toulon-Hyères, Verona. Seats are available to book now at flybe.com

AIRPORT NEWS

Local lad wins trip to Málaga with Ryanair To celebrate the recent launch of two incredible new routes from Aberdeen to Alicante and Málaga, we teamed up with Ryanair to give away two free flight tickets to one lucky passenger on our Facebook page. Jordan Flett from Cullen was the overall winner, and he popped by the airport in February to pick up his golden ticket for a glorious trip to sunny Málaga with his partner! Keep an eye on facebook.com/ aberdeenairport for more fabulous prize giveaways.

Offshore Europe 2017 – Aberdeen plans for oil event In September 2017, Aberdeen will once again play host to tens of thousands of visitors from all around the world as oil and gas industry professionals converge in the city for the biennial SPE Offshore Europe exhibition and conference. From 5 – 8 September 2017, visitors from more than 100 countries are expected to visit the region to attend the largest and technically-foremost oil and gas exhibition and conference outside North America. As well as catching up on the latest technologies and trends, networking with global colleagues and discussing the industry issues that matter, visitors will spend

time in the North-east of Scotland enjoying the many and varied leisure and cultural pursuits that are on offer. So while the oil and gas industry begins to emerge from the most challenging of times, visitors to SPE Offshore Europe 2017 can look forward to one of the most relevant and senior level conference programmes together with a showcase of world-leading technologies in the vibrant and beautiful setting of Aberdeen and North-east Scotland. Visit offshore-europe.co.uk for more information.

Airport worker Alison helps bring clean water to Malawi village It’s been an eventful few months for Alison Scott, who works in our World Duty Free store, as she recently embarked on a life-changing trip to Malawi to help provide clean water to a deprived community in what is one of the poorest countries in the world. Our WDF store won a nationwide incentive run by bottled water manufacturer One Water last year, which meant Alison could travel to Malawi and do her bit

to improve the lives of thousands of vulnerable people. Alison described the trip as ‘very emotional and stressful’ but said, ‘I really enjoyed the experience and I’m glad I went’. Plus, not content with her fantastic efforts in Malawi, Alison is now planning a 100km walk to raise funds for One Water’s One Foundation. Visit Alison’s fundraising page at justgiving.com/Alison-Scott14

AIRPORT NEWS

John Deffenbaugh Head of Terminal Redevelopment

“When all this is complete in mid-2019, the majority of the airport will have been rebuilt, reconfigured, or refurbished.”

y the time the next issue of upBEAT is published, Aberdeen International Airport’s terminal extension will have opened to passengers, and the first part of the airport’s £20m transformation plan will be complete. From the end of May 2017, international arriving passengers will pass through our new immigration and passport control facilities that are double the size of the original areas. This theme is continued in the international baggage reclaim hall, where the reclaim carousel will be double the length of the original product that served the airport for over 30 years.

In early July, the first of two business

glazing will allow plenty of natural light

lounges, the Northern Lights Executive Lounge, will open on the upper floor of the terminal extension. Accessed from the departure lounge, this facility will offer eligible passengers a wide range of locally sourced food and beverages in a stylish setting that features panoramic views of the airfield. Full details on airline eligibility or how to obtain access to the lounge is available on our website.

into the space.

Later in July, the final part of the new extension will open - domestic baggage reclaim. Like international reclaim, the domestic baggage carousel will be significantly longer than the original product, affording passengers more space whilst awaiting the arrival of their luggage. Skylight

Once these facilities are up and running, we will move into the existing terminal building to create an enlarged security search facility and duty free store, together with new retail units, and more spacious catering in an airside environment. When all this is complete in mid-2019, the majority of the airport will have been rebuilt, reconfigured, or refurbished. It’s great to see many years of hard work by the airport team and our partners now coming to life, keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on our progress.

10 LOUNGES

Aberdeen Airport’s shiny new terminal is going to be the home of a new premium Lounge concept: the Northern Lights Executive Lounge. The lounge will be situated on the first floor of the recently added terminal extension and will be three times larger than the current offer. Contemporary in design, the passenger experience is re-imagined with comfort in mind, including dedicated pamper space, restrooms, a place to do business and a choice of

as a premium hot food menu which will feature specialist dishes served daily, with a clear focus on using local suppliers to showcase Scottish produce.

beautiful seating formats. The lounge offers spectacular runway views, while a Whisky Wall and the ability to upgrade to a whisky or champagne package are just a few of the new features. The lounge offers a wide range of complimentary refreshments as well

will continue to gain access as part of their flight tickets. The lounge will be hosted, with staff on hand from 4am until the last departing flight.

Open to all, lounge access can be purchased online at aberdeenairport. com. You can buy access as an add-on to your online parking booking; as a separate online purchase and you can also buy access at the lounge on your day of travel. Airline business travellers

Aptly named ‘The Northern Lights Executive Lounge’, the facility will open

on 1 July, seamlessly taking over from the current multi-occupied airline lounge. Access will be via the departure lounge at Gate 1. The lounge will be managed by The Compass Group, who have delivered VIP executive airport lounges in Heathrow, Birmingham, Stansted and Southampton.

For your chance to experience the new lounge in all its luxury we have an exclusive upBEAT reader code that can be used to get 15% off your first visit. Reader offer must be redeemed online by entering code LOUNGE15. And if you book before 30 June 2017, you’ll also be in with the chance to win an upgraded lounge experience! To book go to aberdeenairport. com/lounges T&Cs: Valid for arrivals into the lounge between 1 July and 30 September 2017.

12 DOMESTIC

The Editor pays a visit to Bristol

ince the inclusion of Bristol in the Rough Guide 2017’s Top Ten Best Cities to Visit, the buzz about the city has increased to the point that I thought it was high time to jump on a bmi regional flight. Just over an hour from Aberdeen, this compact city has only 450,000 inhabitants and yet rivals the UK’s capital for culture, entertainment and sheer quality of life. I began by making my way to the Old City, where my bed for the night perched on the roof of Brooks Guesthouse. On the roof there are three quirkily kitted out Silver Rockets: Airstream-style caravans with skyline views across the city and beautiful breakfasts in the guesthouse below. Next on the agenda was a trip up to Clifton, a well-heeled area that boasts Georgian terraces to rival Bath or Edinburgh, the only branch of the Ivy outside London and lovely shops, cafes and wine bars on every corner. The portals of the Clifton arcade provide a vintage shoppers’ paradise, while the Lido showcases a Victorian

heated outdoor pool with a top class restaurant, tapas bar and spa. Heading for the highest point in town, I climbed first the narrow Cabot Tower in Brandon Hill Park and then the Clifton Observatory, both of which offer splendid vistas over Bristol itself and the surrounding Downs. The Clifton Suspension Bridge was definitely on my bucket list as an Isambard Kingdom Brunel fan, and the views up and down the Avon Gorge did not disappoint. Bristol has made a name for itself on the modern music scene, naming Portishead, Massive Attack and Tricky amongst its more famous

sons and daughters. You almost can’t move for live music choices all week long and year round, from reggae to jazz, electronic beats to choral voices. This is a city that loves a festival and doesn’t wait for summer to get out and party!

and Cargo 2, opening in May, are a triumph of joined-up thinking, providing cutting edge cuisine in a quirky environment whilst giving small businesses a leg up.

We lunched in the Avon Gorge Hotel, perched on the side of the cliff with a huge outside terrace for spectacular summer sundowners. In the evening

The next day I headed for Harbourside and the At-Bristol Science Centre, which provides lots of thought and actionprovoking activities for families, but also to view the Glass Microbiology miniexhibition in the Box there,

I headed for the Canteen, a social enterprise nestled within Hamilton House in the edgier Stokes Croft district. The Canteen has lovely local food, keenly priced and expertly served in a very informal atmosphere, with live music every night. Lunch the following day was in Cargo 1, a development of purpose-built shipping containers on Wapping Wharf, where independent local food businesses such as Lovett Pies, Wild Beer, Chicken Shack ply their trade. This development

featuring stunning glass sculptures of viruses by Luke Jerram. Next was the Bristol Aquarium which I thoroughly recommend, as it’s full of imaginative environments, huge fish and baby seahorses, after which I jumped on a ferry with a model of Gromit gracing the prow (Aardman Animations are based on Spike Island in Bristol). The tidal Avon was rerouted in this area to create a thriving waterside micro-village, full of boats turned into fine-dining restaurants, cider bars and guesthouses.

14 DOMESTIC

Bristol Walk Fest (May) Over 150

walks from 60 organisations.

The Foodies Festival at

Durdham Downs (12-14 May) features tastings and demos with top chefs, Michelin-starred restaurants and winners from Masterchef and the Great British Bake Off. F VegFest (20-21 May) at the Ampitheatre and Waterfront Square in Harbourside is the largest celebration of vegan food in the UK.

International Cricket

England One Day International Fixture England’s men against Ireland (5 May) and the West Indies (24 September) as well as a game of the final stages of the ICC Women’s World Cup (18 July). F Loves Saves the Day (27-28 May) huge music festival F Let’s Rock Bristol (2-4 June 2017) retro music festival F Bristol Pride Week (30 June 9 July)

The SS Great Britain was another of Brunel’s legacies, built in the very dry dock it is now displayed in, and at the forefront of steamship design. The museum takes you from the subterranean realms of the rusty hull, via the main deck full of livestock and small children

Bristol Farmers’ Market and the Friday Food market.

swabbing the floor, through ballrooms, bedrooms and the bowels of the original ship with all the attendant sounds and smells. If you like you can abseil to the top of the main mast, for a crow’s nest view of the multi-coloured houses on the Bristol skyline.

Well Hung Lover and Girl with the Pierced Eardrum. As a result the city is the recipient, both furtively and by commission, of a rich tapestry of very visual street art, in fact there is no such thing as a blank hoarding in Bristol, and that’s no bad thing. Bristol is modern and vibrant, but has a rich history and layers of independent culture that striate the city, making it a worthy destination for any holiday.

Bristol is very proud of its cider and many places have a menu of local brands, often sold in half pints as some of them can be pretty strong! The city has a very European feel, with pedestrianised streets and pavement cafés. There are also markets everywhere, from the permanent covered St Nicholas Market, to Street Food Thursday,

And last but certainly not least, Bristol is home to Banksy, and the still-anonymous artist has tagged his city many times over, with statement pieces such as

brooksguesthousebristol.com visitbristol.co.uk bmi regional – flybmi.com 8 flights per week from 26th March 2017

Bristol Shakespeare Festival

(throughout July) Grillstock, Harbourside (1-2

July) International BBQ festival

Bristol Harbour Festival

(21-23 July) Upfest (29-31 July) Europe’s biggest, free, street art and graffiti art festival F

16 LOCAL

The summer festival season is well and truly upon us, but if muddy fields and overused portaloos aren’t your thing, then fear not, as Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire stage a summer festival scene packed with more headliners than the main stage at Glastonbury; from music and arts, to sport and gin. Pack your bags, and get ready to experience a festival experience like no other. berdeen is famed throughout the world for its culinary contribution to food and drink, and the first festival on our summer Northeast tour is North Hop Aberdeen. Taking place on 14 and 15 April at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, the event celebrates the very best that Scotland has to offer in craft beverages, including a range of your favourite tipples, from beer and gin to a selection of ciders. If you’re visiting in April, don’t forget to pack your trainers, as running doesn’t get much more royal than Run Balmoral on 22 April. You don’t need to be Mo Farah to take part either. 5,000 runners descend on the Scottish home of the Royal Family for a number of events; including a 10K, 5K and junior races.

What do beef, salmon, shortbread, fudge, icecream and whisky all have in common? They are all produce of the North-east of Scotland, and are brought together for a one day foodie festival at the Taste of Grampian on 3 June at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie. Pick up a few tips at the live cooking displays featuring celebrity chefs James

LOCAL

Martin and Lady Claire Macdonald OBE. Once you’ve been inspired by the chefs, shop the fresh market stalls to pick up your finest local ingredients, or if you can’t wait, sample the

VisitAberdeenshire news in brief In a bid to connect Aberdeen to the world cruise market, VisitAberdeenshire attended the Florida-based Seatrade Cruise Global in March

many food stalls, including a dedicated street food section.

to attract a greater share of the £32m Scottish cruise industry. Cruise ships could be docking in Aberdeen in less than three years, on completion of the £350m extension to Aberdeen Harbour.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Portsoy coastal village, the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival celebrates the region’s rich cultural heritage of boats, music, crafts, food and drink on 24 and 25 June. Sample the famous Arbroath Smokies, see historic and modern boats in action in the bay, and experience traditional dancing and music around the harbour. For more information and to see a full list of festivals, go to visitabdn.com, where you can plan your summer festival experience by using the new itinerary builder facility, allowing you to tailor your own trip based on what you want to see and do.

Aberdeen’s festival of light, Spectra, part of the Aberdeen Festivals collective, was a huge success, with visitor numbers up from last years’ 35,000 to 63,000 this year. The festival transformed prominent city landmarks into a light spectacular for four days in February. VisitAberdeenshire hosted its annual Tourism Conference at Meldrum House Hotel in March. Delegates heard how they can maximise the return for their business by tapping into large scale events taking place in the region, and how collaboration with other local tourism businesses can be mutually beneficial.

AB DN

VisitAberdeenshire

18 INTERNATIONAL

The Balearicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s White Isle has been popular for more than a century, with artists, creatives and the flower The Balearicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power generation; White Isle has paving been thepopular way forfor mass more than a century, tourism in the latter half of with theartists, 20th century creatives and into and the flower 21st. Famed power forgeneration; its paving the clubbing beats, Ibiza has grown way for upmass and has tourism lots to inoffer the latter families halfand of the over20th 30s.century and into the 21st. Famed for its clubbing beats, Ibiza has grown up and has lots to offer families and over 30s.

INTERNATIONAL

Family focused The island has much in the way of family friendly activities, from beautiful safe beaches to waterparks, exotic sealife and activities galore. Aquamar Waterpark in Playa d’en Bossa has white knuckle rides such as Kamikaze and Blackhole, but also caters for small people with gentler rides and slides, a restaurant and café, as well as a picnic area. Cap Blanc Aquarium is walkable from San Antonio bay, and is built inside a natural cave close to the Cala Gració beach. You can observe the local marine life such as lobsters, rays and dorados, and the aquarium is also used as a recovery centre for rescued and recovering sea turtles. The Ibiza Express is a little land train based at Es Canar which will take you on a tour

around small lanes and villages, pretty coves and old farmhouses, or along to Santa Eulalia. Take a picnic and go for a swim as the train stops at local beauty spots. The Aquabus Ferry will whisk you across to Formentera for the day, taking just 40 minutes, while friendly staff offer maps and advice on how to make the most of your trip. Pick a beach Ibiza is fringed with loads of gorgeous beaches, each one offering something slightly different, so take your time and sample as many as you can. Cala Xarraca in Portinatx is good for underwater fans with excellent scuba conditions and a small, rocky but sheltered beach. Cala Benirrás in Port de Sant Miguel is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, as well as being host to the famous sunset drummers on a Sunday

evening. Cala Vadella at Sant Josep de sa Talaia is as family-friendly as they come, with powdery white sand sloping down to a sheltered shallow bay. Sa Caleta at Sant Jordi is backed by stunning red sandstone cliffs, protecting it from the breeze and making it a natural suntrap. Mind, body and soul The White Isle has much to offer by way of wellbeing – from retreats to drop-in classes and immersive spa experiences. You can make a whole holiday of it by signing up for a weeklong detox and relaxation, or just dip your toe in as a counterpoint to a busy night on the tiles. The Aquas de Ibiza Revival in Santa Eulalia offers wellness programmes of three, five and seven day lengths,

20 INTERNATIONAL

aimed at getting fit, detoxing, losing weight or just relaxing. Courses combine personal trainers, organic juices, beauty treatments and consultations with a chiropractor and nutritionist. Ashtanga Yoga is set in a quiet spot in Northern Ibiza near San Miguel, and provides regular group and private yoga classes as well as longer yoga retreats. You can join a workshop or just pop in and enjoy a class during your holiday. The La Posidonia & Cascadas Suspendidas Spa in San Miguel is named after the protected seaweed that grows around the island, and boasts a thalassotherapy circuit built on the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Several heated pools of varying depths and at different levels are interconnected by waterfalls which offer the opportunity for an underwater massage whilst watching the sunset, and you don’t have to be a hotel resident.

“Just off the west coast of the island lies a group of 15 islands called Cala d’Hort Marine Nature Reserve, where some of the best diving in the Mediterranean is to be found”.

Fit for anything If your idea of heaven is an active holiday, then look no further. Ibiza offers a wide variety of watersports in a stunning environment, as well as biking, golf and horseriding. Just off the west coast of the island lies a group of 15 islands called Cala d’Hort Marine Nature Reserve, where some of the best diving in the Mediterranean is to be found. With visibility up to 30 metres Sea Horse Diving Ibiza offers daily dive trips and ‘try dives’ for beginners as well as longer courses. Scuba diving and snorkelling are both popular here and you can even hire an underwater camera. Ibiza Horse Valley Riding is based in

INTERNATIONAL

the Es Murta National Park, offering treks ranging from a two hour ride to a full day out with packed lunch and additional activities such as swimming with the horses, yoga and scuba diving. SUP (Stand Up Paddle) boarding is gaining in popularity worldwide, and Ibiza offers a perfect playground for the sport. SUP Boat Ibiza in San Antonio offers beginner classes in this extremely accessible activity, and are guaranteed to have you ‘walking on water’ in no time. Foodie heaven Ibiza is gaining more and more of a foodie reputation, as old favourites vie with the new kids for the best write-ups. Try the oven-baked John Dory at Restaurante Boldado at a seat on the terrace overlooking Es Vedra at sundown. Sip cocktails at The Chiringuito at Atzaro Beach after local fish straight from the barbeque. Head up to Amante Beach Club & Resort to their restaurant set into the cliff above the Sol d-en

Serra beach for a yoga breakfast or outdoor cinema night, or the Sunset Ashram for a heady mix of Indian, Mediterranean and Thai dishes, all made with local produce and a large dash of boho vibe. The Giri Café in San Juan has a fabulous modern Med menu served in a relaxed garden space surrounded by organic herbs, flowers, strawberries and tomatoes, while Passion by the Ibiza Marina specialises in raw, veggie and vegan food and serves breakfast until 2pm, accompanied by locally roasted coffee and superfood juices.

Departs on Wednesdays, 31 May to 18 October 2017 thomson.co.uk

A DAY IN THE LIFE

eet Mike Diamond, mild-mannered security man by day, and international traveller by night (well, during his holidays anyway). Mike (51) works in security here at Aberdeen International Airport, and spends his free time researching, planning and constructing dream holidays for himself. Where have you been

Where does your wanderlust

recently? In January this year I went to Costa Rica. I flew from Aberdeen to Heathrow and onto Miami, then San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Now you can get a direct flight from Gatwick to San José three times a week. I went for a month, but joined an organised trip through Intrepid Travel for the first three weeks. Joining a trip is great for meeting people and I often keep in touch with people long after the holiday has passed. It’s also great for pushing you out of your comfort zone, this trip I went on a mile long zip line over 7 stages, which is something I would have thought twice about on my own!

come from? My parents moved to South Africa when I was 6 months old, so my father could take a job in a gold mine there, and we stayed for 10 years. I even learned to walk on the ship, so my sea legs were pretty wobbly on land for a while! As an adult I was in the RAF police and travelled a bit with that, so I suppose the love for exotic travel was embedded early on. Where else have you flown to from Aberdeen? Loads of places, as I’ve been in this job since 1989, but in recent years I’ve been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Namibia, Uganda and Oman.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

And where to next? My plan this year is to fly to Greenland in March via Copenhagen as it is a territory of Denmark. I am fascinated by remote environments, and this certainly qualifies! I’ll stay in an old NATO base to start with, then use internal flights to explore, including 5 days in the town of Ilulissat on Disko Bay, where you can see ice shaving off the glaciers and I will try out dog sledding. Later in the year I’m going to a tiny town in Missouri to see the eclipse that is travelling across America.

then look for trips with like-minded people, share a room and make some friends. That way you aren’t worrying about single supplements, and you have others to spur you on. My advice would be to do as much research as you can beforehand, be as thorough as you can to make sure you are making the most of your precious holiday time. Also sometimes it is definitely worth paying a bit extra, for a seat with extra legroom, or for an executive lounge it can make your whole experience more memorable for the right reasons!

What are your top tips for successful single travelling?

Read Mike’s travel blog at mytb/ mercurycatcher.com

I would say if you are on your own

24 RETAIL

BrewDog Punk IPA Ellon, UK 5.6% ABV 330ml, ÂŁ4.40 Assertive and resinous, balanced by its biscuit malt.

Glen Garioch The Glen Garioch distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. They have been making whiskies in Aberdeenshire since 1797. The Glen Garioch 12 Year Old whisky has a taste of light oak with pear fruitiness which leads to a long, smooth, creamy and fragrant finish. Glen Deveron The Glen Deveron distillery lies on the rugged coast of the North-east of Scotland by the banks of the River Deveron. Their 16 Year Old whisky has notes of fine toasted cereals and apple, making this a full, fruity malt with a smooth and mellow finish. anCnoc The Knockdhu Distillery is situated in the village of Knock, near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. The Black Hill Reserve whisky is full bodied and bursting with rich flavour including spices, pear drops, orange peel and a toffee sweetness. The finish is long and intense. Caorunn Gin Caorunn Gin is carefully handcrafted in the Scottish Highlands where five locally foraged gin botanicals are expertly infused to deliver a gin which sets them apart from the rest. It has a refreshing and invigorating finish, and is best served with a slice of red apple.

BrewDog Dead Pony Club Ellon, UK 3.8% ABV 330ml, ÂŁ4.40 Laid back, but hop-forward.

RETAIL

Six°North Brewery Four Saisons Stonehaven, UK 6.0% ABV 330ml, £4.40 A beer for all occasions, especially when you’ve got a thirst on!

Williams Bros. Brewing Co. Seven Giraffes Alloa, UK 5.1% ABV 500ml, £4.70 This pours a deep gold, with aromas of elderflower and citrus hops, followed by sweet caramel.

Drygate Ax Man Rye IPA Glasgow, UK 5.0% ABV 500ml, £4.70 A rye twist lends this India pale ale a spicy touch and a red hue.

Sixpoint Resin Brooklyn, USA 9.1% ABV, £4.95 An ode to the sticky quintessence of hops.

Lagunitas IPA Petaluma, USA 6.2% ABV 355ml, £4.40 A fruity riot, with strong notes of grapefruit, strawberry and lime.

Innis & Gunn Rum Finish Edinburgh, UK 6.8% ABV 330ml, £4.40 Matured over oak heartwood, infused with specially selected rums.

Sixpoint Bengali IPA Brooklyn, USA 6.5% ABV 355ml, £4.40 Like getting thrashed with a giant paw of citrus and pine.

All of the above craft ales and beers are available now at The Granite City by Wetherspoon. The Granite City is featured in the Good Beer Guide this year with its extensive selection of craft bottles which are also available for sale as off-licence from 10am to 10pm each day! Remember to visit World Duty Free before you fly as they have a wide range of Scottish gins and whiskies available in store.

LONG HAUL DESTINATIONS

Houston is fiercely anchored in Texan folklore, with rodeos, country music, ranches and mythical cowboys. Houston is also one the youngest cities in the United States and enjoys thrilling cultural development. Go Uptown for shopping and to the Heights for its excellent restaurants, and of course, the Museum district

is the city’s cultural centre. The city’s relatively compact Downtown includes the Theatre District, home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District, with 19th-century architecture and upscale restaurants. Also home to the NASA space station which opened part of its site to the general public as a museum, where you can experience the glory days of the space race. New Orleans is only a few hours away, and definitely worth a visit. Fly to Houston via Heathrow with britishairways.com

Looking for a friendly Japanese city with great food and plenty of things to experience? Osaka has it all. Enjoy an unforgettable stroll to Osaka Castle, visit Umeda to sample delicious local cuisine, Sumiyoshi Taisha for an authentic Japanese temple, Nakazaki-

In Los Angeles life is a film set. Follow the Sunset Boulevard and set foot onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or visit Studio City and you’re in the heart of the movie industry. But the ‘City of Angels’ has much more to offer. Enjoy high-end dining in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica. Rent a car for the best views of the city along Mulholland Drive and into San Fernando Valley. Marvel at the jaw-dropping opulent villas as you drive around. Head to Melrose Avenue if you are a vintage fashion fan or simply enjoy some lustful window-shopping on the glamorous Rodeo Drive. Fly to Los Angeles and live some memorable days like a star! Fly to Los Angeles via Amsterdam with KLM. Book at klm.com

LONG HAUL DESTINATIONS

courses. The Santa Cruz Mountains offer challenges for outdoor sports enthusiasts or provide a unique experience of nature as the home of mountain lions and badgers. Fly to San José via Frankfurt with lh.com San José is the largest city in the Bay area. The region in Santa Clara known as ‘Silicon Valley’ became renowned as the hub of the American electronic and computer industry, and where major companies like Apple, Google, and Adobe have their headquarters. The research centres in Stanford, Palo Alto and Menlo Park are also part of the legend of the valley. The cities of San José and Santa Clara have top-class art and technology museums, pristine inner city parks, and a highly efficient infrastructure. The hills that rise around them are home to wineries and golf

cho for hip art, or Den Den Town for electronics, anime and games. Take the futuristic elevator to the top of the Tsutenkaku Tower for stunning views of the city. Osaka is not only perfect for a city trip but also makes a great starting point for exploring Japan. Make the most of your stay and discover the area: the unmissable Kyoto, but also Kobe, Hiroshima and Himeji Castle await! Fly to Osaka via Paris with Air France. Book at airfrance.co.uk

Tampa is well known for its tourism and stunning beaches such as Clearwater and nearby St. Petersburg and Sarasota, and is also adjacent to Mexico Bay. There are many visitor attractions, water-sport activities and nature reserves to explore, such as Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and so much more! Tampa Bay has a burgeoning craft beer scene with a “brew bus” you can hire to drive you between the different breweries. New food halls launched in the city in 2017 include the Hall on Franklin and Armature Works, both historic buildings that have been reborn as modern eateries. Creative chefs here have earned Tampa Bay a spot on every foodie’s must-try list. Icelandair will begin flights to Tampa from September 7th 2017 from Aberdeen via Reykjavik. Take advantage of the Icelandair Stopover and enjoy up to 7 nights in Iceland at no additional airfare. Fly to Tampa via Reykjavik with icelandair.co.uk

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INTERNATIONAL: > ALICANTE with Ryanair > 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 (July 2017) > ESBJERG with bmi regional

KEF

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

> > > > > > > > >

PALMA with Thomson, First Choice & Thomas Cook 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 (July 2017) VERONA with Newmarket Holidays

> > > > > > >

> > > > >

NORWICH with bmi regional & Eastern Airways SOUTHAMPTON with Eastern Airways & Flybe STORNOWAY with Eastern Airways SUMBURGH with Loganair WICK with Eastern Airways

DOMESTIC: > > > > > > >

BELFAST CITY with Flybe BIRMINGHAM with Flybe BRISTOL with bmi regional CARDIFF with Eastern Airways DURHAM TEES VALLEY with Eastern Airways HUMBERSIDE with Eastern Airways 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 & Flybe LONDON LUTON with easyJet MANCHESTER with Flybe NEWCASTLE with Eastern Airways

> NEWQUAY with Flybe

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Garda is one of the most popular of all ‘lakes and mountains’ destinations, and it’s easy to understand why. The tranquil setting, pleasant climate, and flourishing vegetation - mainly olive and lemon groves - along with the majestic landscapes are the backdrop to the stylish resorts, café life and plentiful shopping opportunities make Lake Garda the most charming in Italy. On a Newmarket resort-based holiday you’ll also get the chance to take a Grand Circular tour of the lake, to visit incomparable Venice, enchanting Verona and to be awestruck by the dramatic Dolomites. It’s no wonder that Lake Garda is our most popular European holiday destination newmarketholidays.com

Enjoy a summer holiday in the sun without leaving the British Isles! Jersey offers the very best of Britain and France within a couple of hours’ flight from home. Jersey is a top holiday destination with golden beaches, fascinating cultural heritage and some of the best local food in Europe. Enjoy doing as much or as little as you feel like and experience Jersey’s lifestyle relaxing on the beach or actively seeking some thrills with sea kayaking, coasteering or abseiling. Jersey’s currency is the pound and they speak English, making it an exotic staycation destination. Direct flights will depart from Aberdeen every Saturday from 29 April - 16 September 2017. jerseytravel.com/ABZ

Ibiza’s pretty towns – full of cream-coloured houses – have earned it the nickname of the White Isle. This Spanish island is a hit with families and couples alike, thanks to its beaches, the cobblestone old town, and the nightlife. Flight times from Aberdeen fall around the 3 hour mark, making it an easy choice for a short haul holiday. Plus, the Mediterranean climate means you can expect scorching summers and mild winters. When it comes to places to stay,

TUI’s five-star Sensatori Resort Ibiza boasts a luxury spa, six pools and a range of gourmet dining options. thomson.co.uk; firstchoice.co.uk

Palma is the island capital of Majorca, full of stunning architecture and home to a lively arts scene. Explore the tiny old quarter set under the gaze of the huge Gothic cathedral, then climb up to Bellvar Castle for stunning views over the city. Head to Santa Catalina for oodles of nightlife or La Llonja for quirky boutiques and art galleries. If you fancy a day on the beach, Playa del Palma is a short bus ride away, and Olivar market is a great place to sample local produce. thomson.co.uk; firstchoice.co.uk

SUMMER DESTINATIONS

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 for sightseers. Situated on the Costa Blanca on the Southeastern 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. ryanair.com

Unless you are a mountaineer or a winter sports enthusiast, it’s quite hard to get up really high into the Swiss mountains where the air is clearer and the views stupendous, but Omega Holidays offers you the opportunity to do this in the timehonoured way, by cable car - and by train. But not just any old train; the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express offer breath-taking journeys across viaducts bridging huge chasms, through serpentine tunnels and corkscrew loops. Both trains have special panoramic coaches with enlarged windows for maximum viewing of the stunning scenery. In between, there’s lots of free time to explore the area by cable car and on foot, plus the holiday also includes a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne and a visit to chic St Moritz. omega-holidays.com

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and one of the most popular. Holiday-makers flock here every single year for the huge sandy beaches and great weather. Aside from the shores, Tenerife has plenty on offer to keep you busy. Thrillseekers can whizz down water slides in Siam Park, one of Europe’s biggest water parks. And, for those after a taste of the great outdoors, a visit to Mount Teide is an absolute must. Ride to the top of this one-million-year-old volcanic peak in a cable car, and reserve your energy for taking some jaw-dropping photos. thomson.co.uk; firstchoice.co.uk

Holidays to non-Euro Bulgaria from Aberdeen this summer with Balkan Holidays offers you great value for money and beautiful beach resorts. Bulgaria’s Black sea coast stretches an impressive 230 miles and boasts some of Europe’s finest sandy beaches. With a wide variety of resorts from the busy and

popular Sunny Beach to the UNESCO protected heritage site of Nessebar, the traditional and picturesque Sozopol, the upmarket and charming marina resort of St Vlas and the delightful family resort of Duni plus many more, Bulgaria has a resort to suit every taste. Book today for just £49pp deposit. balkanholidays.co.uk

Pamela Stewart, Alison Cassie & Louise Davidson

Charlie Anderson & Margaret Syversen FROM: ABERDEEN | FLYING TO: OSLO, NORWAY We’re heading home to see relations and visit the homeland. Charlie would never go anywhere without his phone, and I think lip salve and water are important on a flight to keep hydrated and moisturised. Charlie’s ideal summer destination would be Hawaii for the surfing and mine is Hvaler in Norway. My top tip would be to give yourself plenty of time, and breathe!!

Scott Nicol & Richard Morton

FROM: ABERDEEN | FLYING TO: MÁLAGA We’re going to the Costa del Sol and we’ve only taken one husband between us, which is our secret to relaxation. Our travel essentials are face cream and a purse, if you have your card you can replace anything else. Our ideal summer destinations are Hawaii, the Maldives and California.

FROM: ARBROATH, CARNOUSTIE | FLYING TO STAVANGER, NORWAY We’re both travelling to Stavanger for work today as we have done many times before. Scott’s top tip for travelling would be to always have a basic change of clothes and toiletries in your hand luggage so you are prepared for anything, and his favourite summer holiday destination is Orlando with the family.

Hans Robert Erbeck

Brian & Fiona Rennie

FROM: NORWAY | FLYING TO: BERGEN, NORWAY I’m flying home after three weeks at work. I wouldn’t like to travel without my e-reader, you can have lots of books on it. My favourite summer destination is Porto in Portugal, it is really beautiful. My advice to fellow travellers would be to arrive early and book a seat - I often don’t even book accommodation ahead on holiday, but I think booking a seat is good for peace of mind.

FROM: ABERDEENSHIRE | FLYING TO GEORGIA, USA VIA HEATHROW We’re going to Georgia via Heathrow to do a circular tour of the states of North America. Our top tip for a travel essential would be a first aid kit, you never know what awaits you. Our dream summer destination would be South America, and our top tip would be to do as much research before you travel as you can, it’s amazing what you can find out.

LOCAL FLAVOURS

wners Jamie and Tom were frustrated by the lack of great places to take their teeny sausage dog Gavin when they met up with friends for a meal or even stopped for a coffee during a walk. After software designer Jamie dropped by the former gallery premises at 66 Claremont Street to pick up some of his artwork, he somehow ended up opening the Long Dog Café whilst working full time. Eighteen months later, we can hardly get a seat in the bustling premises and he is greeting all the

“...they are already gaining an international reputation for their Freak Shakes which are seriously good milk shakes”.

customers, including the four-legged ones, by name. In addition they have just been shortlisted for Best Café and the Aberdeen Business Award for Innovation in the Scottish Business Awards 2017, and Gavin has been joined by Linda. The shop seats about 20 people at a squeeze, and there are tables outside for a sunny day. The shelves are piled high with doggy treats from Billy and Margot, including an all-natural iced treat made specially for dogs. The Long Dog serves all the sandwiches, soup and cakes you’d expect, including gluten-free options made freshly on the premises every

LOCAL FLAVOURS

day, but they are already gaining an international reputation for their Freak Shakes which are seriously good milk shakes, ranging from Salted Caramel and Jammie Dodger in the cold range, to Caramac and Bueno as a hot drink – these bad boys are certainly worth beating a path to Aberdeen’s ‘Little Chelsea’ for – dog in tow or not! Everything is available as take-away or sit-in, and Long Dog has plans to open later after the clocks change to accommodate those evening dog walks that just have to be accompanied by a Freak Shake. 66 Claremont Street, Aberdeen AB10 6QY 01224 467979

By Stacey Charles, volunteer ay Mrs. Murray's Cat & Dog Home

Hammerton Food Store & Deli, 336 Great Western Road general store and deli, a few tables and chairs for coffee, dog treats. F

The Cat in the Window Café, 14 Netherkirkgate - pay an entry F

fee in order to hang out with the feline residents whilst sipping tea and coffee and eating cake. Themed nights include yoga and films. Hometown Barbers, 28-30 Claremont Street – classic rock anthems, walk-ins and dog owners welcome. Resident teeny sausage Arlo is often present. F

Other dog friendly establishments include the Brewdog bars, Cock and Bull at Balmedie, Platform 22 in Torphins and Café 52 on the Green. All allow dogs during food service, as well as providing water bowls and sometimes dog treats.

We went to the Long Dog Café on a Sunday and thought the café looked lovely from the outside and very welcoming. There is a nice seated area outside where you can sit on a sunny day. On entering the cafe it is very well set out considering the space they have and although it was busy we got seats easily. We then met some very sweet dogs (my personal favourite has to be the beautiful little daxie at the counter). The staff were very presentable and cheerful and asked how

“The freak shake was to die for - amazing!!”

we were, very friendly and chatty. The freak shake was to die for - amazing!! We couldn’t have asked for anything more on presentation and taste, and everything was fresh and homemade. The cakes were lovely and again the presentation was excellent. The Long Dog Café is a very unique little place that I hope will go far.

36 INTERNATIONAL 36 HEADER

INTERNATIONAL

The Editor pays a visit to Gdańsk

hen I discovered that last year’s surprise summer holiday destination was Gdańsk, I had no idea what to expect. A spot of research revealed that I was visiting the former city of Danzig, a Polish port city on the Baltic coast, the centre of the world’s amber trade and birthplace of Lech Wałęsa, leader of the Solidarity movement. I also discovered that you get three cities for the price of one, travel and beer are cheap, and that this was going to be one fascinating holiday.

38 INTERNATIONAL

Three for the price of one Gdańsk is a tricity, made up of three separate municipalities, each with its own government and mayor, each of which gives the visitor a different flavour of this colourful city. Gdańsk is a cosmopolitan player, well used to being on the world stage both politically and as a trader. The first shots of WW1 were fired here on Westerplatte and the Iron Curtain was shoved aside by the Solidarity movement in the 1980s. Teutonic knights ruled for centuries and left a strong engineering legacy, and the entire Old Town was painstakingly rebuilt after being bombed by the Russians at the end of WW2. Sopot is the fashionable sibling, first started as a spa town and still the choice for beach holidays and spa breaks. The wooden pier is the longest of its kind in Europe and there are a multitude of forest trails and cycle ways for the fresh air lover. Sopot is also known for its nightlife, centred around the main drag Monte Cassino. Gdynia is the youngest, a new city and major port built as a result of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. It showcases a tapestry of architectural styles, with a large portion of the construction completed in the Art Deco decades, with a sprinkling of designs from the socialist and postcommunist portfolios.

Walk the walk We walked in the footsteps of the King of Poland along the Royal Way as he went from the Upland Gate to the Green Gate, along the main street, flanked by tall colourful building facades, reminiscent of Amsterdam or Austria. On the way we spotted buildings which were reconstructed after WW2 with as many of the same bricks as the stonemasons could find. The Amber and Torture Museums, provide an unusual but fascinating juxtaposition of subjects in the Golden Gate, and we climbed to the top floor for good city views. Worth a visit is Dom Uphagena’s House, an 18th century town house gifted to the city, and preserved as such for people to see, where staff in period costume add to the effect. We chose a walking tour with Easy Gdańsk Tours which took three hours and tells the city’s story from a resident’s viewpoint. Our guide’s father was one of the architects who came from Germany to help rebuild the post-war city. Water culture Just beyond the Green Gate is the River Motlava, where a pirate’s galleon patrols the waterways and a huge wheel – Amber Sky, affords spectacular views over the city. The 15th century crane here was once the biggest in Europe, and originally had men inside wooden wheels powering the lifting mechanism. Fountains are a key feature, including the famous Neptune Fountain in ul. Dluga, and our favourite, the Four Quarters Fountain, a modern piece of street art which combines traditional bronze lions, glass cubes which light up and 20 jets of water, which looks great at night. Chill on Beer Street Our rented apartment was on Piwna, or Beer Street, which is a lovely cobbled thoroughfare of small cafés and restaurants, dwarfed by the giant brick

“Our guide’s father was one of the architects who came from Germany to help rebuild the post-war city”.

INTERNATIONAL

Mariacka Church, the largest brick church in Europe and worth a few hours dedicated to climbing the 400 steps to the observation deck, and checking out the soaring ceilings, Madonna sculptures and an enormous astronomical clock, while the gravestones of Teutonic knights lie under your feet. Our favourite type of cafĂŠ were the ones where cakes, puddings, alcohol, coffee and tea were served, perfect for an informal get together at any time of day or night. Green spaces Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sometimes good to escape the city and halfway through the holiday we headed out on the tram to Oliwa, where there is a forest with miles of paths, including

a great zoo with staggered feeding times, a train tour and a bargain entrance fee; and a remarkably well-preserved late 17th century cathedral which is worth the trip for the daily organ recital. The organ soars above your head as you enter the church, and be sure to turn round in your pew during the recital, as the instrument is festooned with moving cherubs, trumpet playing angels and revolving heavenly bodies. The organ is so intricate that it has the ability to reproduce sounds such as rippling water, animal cries and the human voice. We also took a train to Sopot and spent the day cycling along leafy boardwalks up and down the coast, stopping every couple of

40 HEADER 40 INTERNATIONAL

Shopping and football Gdańsk does malls well, and worth a trot around are the giant Centrum Riviera in Gdynia which has 270 outlets as well as the Helios cinema; and the Galeria Baltycka, which is Gdańsk’s most popular shopping gallery with a Carrefour supermarket and a superb food court. We cycled past the brand new gleaming gold stadium at GdyniaRedlowo which welcomes visiting football fans, and who are advised to take to the posh seats in one of the two main stands. Tickets can be bought on the day of the game at the

hours for lunch or drinks. Cycle hire can be organised just outside the Hilton in front of the pier, and the staff there are super-helpful. You could just as easily spend the day lazing on the white sands or joining a beach volleyball game. Another must-visit is the Kashubian Cultural and Education Centre, about an hour from Gdańsk, where you will find a forest retreat dedicated to the history of the Kashubian people. A Soviet bunker and camp have been recreated and a completely upside down house! You can also catch your own dinner and roast sausages on red hot pokers. Birthplace of Solidarity If you only have time to visit one cultural building, then make sure it is the European Solidarity Centre. The main exhibits illustrate the history of the famous Polish trade union and civil resistance movement in such an engaging way, that you need at least three hours to get round. Touch screens allow you to manipulate piles of photos, a wall of messages from visitors spell out Solidarity, and you can be the film crew at one of the meetings with the government. The sheet metal that cloaks the building gives the impression of a rusting ship’s hull, and the whole area evokes that turning point in history.

fan shop next to the stadium.

Open’er Festival (alternative rock

and pop festival)

28 June - 1 July

St. Dominik Fair & Bread Festival

29 July - 20 August

The rest Travel is cheap and plentiful, trams and trains will take you anywhere in the tri-city area for under £1 return. There are cycle paths everywhere and mini-fixing stations with allen keys and spanners for you to carry out bike first aid. June was hot and bells pealed out all day long, which was strangely beautiful, and we found the city and countryside to be largely clean and litter-free.

Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival

28 July - 6 August Sail Gdańsk (international rally

of sailing ships)

July

easygdansktours.com tourbike.pl Fly direct from Aberdeen to Gdańsk with wizzair.com

Culture Café with Ian Rankin Belmont Filmhouse Aberdeen Nuart Festival 14-16 Aberdeen Slow Marathon Huntly, 15&16 Aberdeenshire The Shires Beach Ballroom, 19 Aberdeen Sister Echt Aberdeen Student 19-22 Charities Campaign, HMT, Aberdeen

25-29

26 27 APR 1 MAY

THROUGHOUT

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8 9-13 14

A Play, A Pie & A Pint: His Final Bow Lemon Tree, Aberdeen The Ultimate Business Show AECC, Aberdeen Look Again Festival Various Venues

John Finan Photographic Exhibition Aberdeen International Airport Leadercast Live 2017 AECC, Aberdeen MaxÏmo Park Lemon Tree, Aberdeen Shout! The Mod Musical HMT, Aberdeen North Of Scotland Pipe Band Championship Banchory, Aberdeenshire Professor Brian Cox AECC, Aberdeen Vegfest: A Celebration Of 20-21 Vegan Food Harbourside* Bristol The Tour Series Cycling 25 Event Aberdeen 26 May Festival Aberdeen Ward Thomas Lemon 28 Tree, Aberdeen

THROUGHOUT

JUNE

3 3 5

John Finan Photographic Exhibition Aberdeen International Airport Taste Of Grampian Thainstone Centre, Aberdeenshire Enjoy Music Festival Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen WWE Presents NXT Live AECC, Aberdeen 8-10

13 15

The Adventures Of Mr. Toad ACT, Aberdeen Museum Mile Festival* New York Business Breakfast:

Innovation & Technical Excellence Marriott Hotel, Aberdeen British Masters & Senior 16-18 Age Group Championships Aquatics Centre, Aberdeen Scottish Traditional 24-25 Boat Festival Portsoy, Aberdeenshire 6-9

Stonehaven Folk Festival

Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire Summer At Crathes Crathes 7-9 Castle, Aberdeenshire Peatbog Fairies Lemon Tree, 13 Aberdeen Stonehaven Highland 16 Games Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire Babe, The Sheep Pig HMT, 17-19 Aberdeen 28 JUL 5 AUG

Aberdeen International Youth Festival 29-30 4Tg Gaming Convention AECC, Aberdeen 29 JUL - Shakespeare Festival* 6 AUG Gdansk, Poland

LOCAL INTEREST

Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Jenny Laing, Hannah Miley, Mark Hollinshead, group chief executive of the Great Run Company

LOCAL INTEREST

he inaugural Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run is due to take place on Sunday 27 August this year. With a half marathon, 10k, family mile and business challenge to get involved in, the event is shaping up to be a memorable event in the city’s calendar. The Great Run company have delivered more than 15 of these events across the UK and Ireland, including Bristol, Edinburgh, and the Great North Run in Newcastle, which attracts over 57,000 runners each year. “Everyone is welcome, from those looking for a challenge, new to running or trying to get a record time, there is a race and a wave to suit your ability”.

Everyone is welcome, from those looking for a challenge, new to running or trying to get a record time, there is a race and a wave to suit your ability. One of the attractions of this new event is that runners will be able to run past many iconic Aberdeen buildings on the way,

and choose the perfect spot to station their loyal supporters! The 10k and half marathon will both start and finish in Union Street, with both races starting off running east past the Town Hall and County House, towards the Mercat Cross at the Castlegate, before turning down towards the Harbour. At the 3k point the races will split, with the 10k heading west, and joining the half marathon runners later. The half will continue north from the Beach Ballroom towards the River Don. Runners will cross the Brig o’Balgownie then head back towards the city for the second half. Notable viewpoints on the route include Marischal College, the Kirk of St. Nicholas, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Robert Gordon’s College and Union

LOCAL INTEREST

“I believe that it will be a massive draw for the region as runners from far afield come to try out a new city and bring friends and family to join them”.

Terrace Gardens. Both routes will then go west on Carden Place, onto Albyn Place and finish on Union Street. So, if you’ve ever fancied running around Aberdeen with no traffic to worry about, now’s your chance, and lots of cafés and restaurants to celebrate in with your supporters afterwards. There will be an Event Village in Union Terrace Gardens and bulging goodie bags to pick up with your medal as you cross the finish line. In order to enter the half marathon you must be over 17, and the 10k over 16, however that’s not to say even the smallest family members can’t join in this summer. The Simplyhealth Family Run is a mile long and aimed at the whole family. Children from 3 to 15 can enter, and while those aged 3-9 will be allocated a place for an accompanying adult, 9 to 15 year olds will have their own dedicated wave at the start of the race to let them run as fast as they like. All children taking part will receive a medal, water and a snack to celebrate. If you fancy doing something different with colleagues, taking on a fitness challenge or raising money for charity, then why not enter a team into the business challenge. To enter you need a team of four, but the teams

can be men, women or mixed. The accumulated finishing times are added together and winners calculated at the end. Why not make the run part of your company’s health and wellbeing agenda for the year, and perhaps combine it with raising money for a nominated charity partner? VisitAberdeenshire said, ‘We are delighted that the Great Run series is going to come to Aberdeen next summer. I believe that it will be a massive draw for the region as runners from far afield come to try out a new city and bring friends and family to join them. In addition it will help us to demonstrate what a good place it is to come and visit’. Enter now at greatrun.org/aberdeen

LOCAL ART

The Nuart Festival arrived in Aberdeen this April for its debut in Scotland. Using forgotten walls as their canvas, 11 international artists created artworks throughout the city. Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said, ‘We are hugely excited to be bringing an art festival of this scale and stature to Aberdeen. Nuart is hugely popular in its Stavanger birthplace and it is a huge coup for us to be holding it in our city. We want to encourage community engagement, make art accessible to all and create talking points in the city, as well as, of course, brightening up neglected spaces

in the city centre. We can’t wait to see what creations will be devised by both our international and local artists and the part Nuart will play in challenging the perceptions of street art. Both the Nuart Festival team and representatives from Aberdeen Inspired have been working incredibly hard on this and we are looking forward to seeing it come to life on walls throughout the heart of Aberdeen’. upBEAT spoke to M-City, one of the artists who has been given a wall outside Robert Gordon’s College on Harriet Street.

LOCAL ART

How do you feel about getting the wall of Robert Gordon University to turn into an artwork? Have you visited Scotland before? This will be my first time in Scotland. It is always exciting to work in a new place. I try to get as much information as possible about city and the place where my work will be. Of course, it´s not easy. I can ask friends, research on the internet and ‘visit’ using Google street view, but seeing everything in person provides a lot more insight. That is why for me the trip is 50% painting and 50% a tourist trip. What kind of things are inspiring you in your designs at the moment? Most of my work is about the state of the world and current affairs. The

message is not always positive but even difficult subjects I try to present in a visually beautiful way. Sometimes I see something on TV or in a newspaper and I try to put my comment about it in a public space. Ecology, law, politics are all important topics for me.

LOCAL ART

“The message is not always positive but even difficult subjects I try to present in a visually beautiful way”.

Painting the aircraft control tower at SOLA airport (Stavanger) must have been daunting, how did you come up with that design? I have painted hundreds of walls so it is not a technical problem: the problem is finding a theme to focus on. When I saw the control tower for the first time in SOLA, I saw it with a silver hat in my mind , like a UFO. I thought the top of the tower looked like a flying object. And everything underneath is blue flames from an engine. But if you look closer, you can see more in the detail. It´s our planet, our cities. I recently visited the tri-city of Gdansk, and paid a visit to the murals on the ends of the tower blocks in Zaspa, were you responsible for any of those? (We loved them) Yes, I painted one big wall in 2008. Its one of my favourite works. Zaspa is a part of Gdańsk where there was an airport before the second world war and after. Now it´s a big part of the city where thousands of people live. The block I painted is called ‘Pilot Street’ and the main theme on the wall is about destruction from the airplanes of the second world war. I hear Banksy has just opened a hotel on the West Bank in Israel, do you have any plans to move your artwork indoors?

I have created many indoor works, also inside hotels. But for me, it is not so important to be inside. I prefer to do large-scale works, much larger than a regular canvas. It gives me more pleasure. Nuart Aberdeen will initially consist of a ‘trail’ of key artworks that will be developed into a world class ‘Street Art’ tour, with further works placed off the beaten track to be discovered over a period of time. aberdeeninspired.com

THE BEAT GOES ON

Adam Buttercase, Jaipur, India

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Julie Shaw, Madhya Pradesh, India

Stéphane Lécrivain, Iguazú Falls, Argentina

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to spend at World Duty Free, at Aberdeen International Airport. See how far and wide you can take your copy of upBEAT - go on, be creative! Send your photo to ABZupbeat@aiairport. com. Please submit high resolution images, at least 1MB in size at 300dpi print resolution. See the winning picture in the Spring 2017 upBEAT - it could be yours! (Deadline: 14 June 2017).

Lorna Sinclair, Alice Springs, Australia Lesley Watt, The Alamo, Texas, USA

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Judith Jordan, Abu Dhabi, UAE Valérie Lécrivain, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Brazil

Ballater: Can Do Country Newcastle: An gel in the Arc hitecture Destination Dubrovnik Slice of City Life: The Merch ant Quarter

WORDS WORTH READING

Soldier Spy by Tom Marcus Perhaps influenced by my previous career in policing, I was drawn to the book ‘Soldier Spy’ written by a former MI5 undercover surveillance officer, who writes under the pseudonym Tom Marcus. This is a first in terms of an ex-MI5 under-cover operative exposing his experiences and he certainly skirts close to what he will have been allowed to say in terms of the ‘official secrets act’, which makes it all the more readable. Tom had a difficult upbringing, which he escaped and joined the army. He was quickly identified

as a soldier with potential and after doing dangerous covert work in Ireland, was eventually recruited into MI5 as an undercover surveillance officer. He brings you through his eye-opening and harrowing experiences as an MI5 agent and the pressures this placed upon him. It is little wonder that this led him to developing PTSD, and you can almost feel the pain and his vulnerability as he struggles to deal with this. An immersive read. Adrian Watson, CEO of Aberdeen Inspired

Three North-east airport users recommend some riveting in-flight reading from WHSmith’s latest list of top 20 bestsellers. Mindfulness Pocketbook: Little Exercises for a Calmer Life by Gill Hasson When I am driving throughout Aberdeenshire I like to listen to podcasts and audio books. However at holiday time it is nice to relax and chill with a book.

calmer and have a better balanced attitude. By progressing through this pocketbook you will develop mindful ways of thinking and in doing so will benefit a wide range of situations in your personal, social and business life.

In our busy and at times frantic world, this book should be in everyone’s holiday and daily packing list. It is not necessary to read from cover to cover, instead you can dip into

I found the insight into breaking free from unhelpful thoughts and thinking patterns helps with confidence and self-esteem.

chapters when the exercise or mood takes your fancy. There are over 100 quick exercises, each dealing with different situations, to help get

Reid Hutchison, Community Economic Development Co-ordinator – Aberdeenshire Council

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty I struggle to find time to read a book from cover to cover when going about my normal routine, so when it comes to holidays and heading off to recharge batteries, I look forward with real delight to picking my sun-bed reads, knowing I can indulge in what has always been a favourite pastime of mine. I like nothing better than a good thriller, full of suspense that will keep me turning page after page, and this novel by Liane Moriarty immediately got my attention. A big or a little

lie would be intriguing enough, but Big Little Lies? It follows the lives of three women from the same town, characters we could all identify in real life, but each at a crossroads and grappling with relationships. It promises to be a witty story about ex-husbands, children, teens, and friends and of course the promise of finding out whodunnit in the end! Lynn Harwood, Route Development Manager, Aberdeen International Airport

Things are starting to heat up in the Granite City as Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) gear up for an eclectic event calendar up ahead. Following a string of awards including achieving a Guinness World Record for ‘Most tickets sold for a science tour’, Professor Brian Cox will take the audience on a dazzling journey through space and time on Saturday 20th May. Professor Cox will go to the edge of the audiences current understanding of the evolution of the

Essex heartthrob Olly Murs will wow fans as he follows in the footsteps of Elton John’s 2015 performance outdoors at AECC, playing a spectacular purpose built outdoor arena on the grounds of AECC on Friday 21st July for 16,000 fans.

universe and take part in a question and answer section at the end of the show, chaired by Robin Ince. Wrestling fans can unite this summer as WWE returns to the Granite City on Monday 5th June with NXT Live. The next generation of WWE wrestlers will take to the ring to compete to prove they have what it takes to make it on to the main roster of RAW and Smack Down.

The specially constructed outdoor arena will provide a full range of concert facilities including internal and external bars, catering points and restrooms. The temporary structure will double the size of the GE Oil & Gas Arena allowing a bigger capacity for fans to see the X Factor star who has had unprecedented fame since first becoming the runner up on the show in 2009. Louisa Johnson, will be joining Olly

on his summer date in Aberdeen following her success after winning X Factor in 2015. After huge success with Clean Bandit on ‘Tears’, Johnson went on to churn out a string of hits including ‘So Good’ and has been planning her debut album after working with hitmakers who have worked with top names including Beyonce, One Direction and Jess Glynne.

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01 | Staff from the airport World Duty Free store celebrate the launch of Ryanair flights to Alicante and Malaga with passengers. 02 | Passengers flying on the Ryanair Inaugural flight to Malaga enjoying a cocktail and chocolates. 03 | Our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singing Cleaner â&#x20AC;&#x153;surprised and entertained our Malaga passengers prior to boarding as part of our Ryanair celebrations.

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04 | Liam Kerr MSP and Vincent Hodder CRO Flybe join Aberdeen Airport Managing Director Carol Benzie in a slice of cake to celebrate the launch of the Flybe Aberdeen to London Heathrow service. 05 & 06 | The National Autistic Society Scotland visited the airport and passengers and staff were able to understand what it would be like to live with autism through a speciallydesigned virtual reality experience. Mark McDonald MSP also gave it a whirl. 07 & 08 | Fund raising and Red Nose Day fun with the British Airways and ASIG teams in the airport terminal.

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