Horizons magazine - 2015

2015 EDITION

HORIZONS INSPIRING DESTINATIONS FROM NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

80 DIRECT TO OVER

DESTI NATI ONS

WORLDWIDE

STYLE

The ultimate airside fashion guide

PLUS Travellers’ tales all over the world

PRIZES

Flights to Brussels, and a three-night stay in Malta

DIRECT FROM NEWCASTLE

NEW YORK NEW YORK Take a bite out of the Big Apple with United Airlines direct from Newcastle from May to September 2015 www.newcastleairport.com

WIN

FLIGHTS TO NEW YORK WITH

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WELCOME CONTENTS

Welcome

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O

ver the past few years I’ve grown used to our passengers asking me when we’d be getting a flight to New York.

For a long time all I could say was that we were working very hard to secure it. However, I’m now delighted to be able to inform you that, from late May until early September 2015, United Airlines will fly direct five days a week to New York/Newark from Newcastle.

This new route means that, as well as visiting the Big Apple, you can connect at New York/Newark to more than 300 destinations across North America. The more demand there is for this route, the more likely there is to be an extended season of operation in future years. Please help us make this a successful route which will help to boost our region’s economy.

The New York announcement capped a busy 12 months in which we began work on a multi-million pound revamp for our departure lounge and we were voted the best large airport in the UK in the Which? Magazine passenger survey for the second year running. 2015 promises to be just as exciting, so wherever you’re travelling, enjoy the journey and this edition of Horizons!

David Laws, chief executive Newcastle International Airport www.newcastleairport.com

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10 04 Destinations 28 Malta Where will you go?

Malta and its many attractions

06 Where next?

29 Geneva

Real travellers’ tales

Geneva, land of snow and sun

09 Park & fly

30 Short breaks

45 Lounge around

Safe, secure and great value

Favourite British destinations

Inside Newcastle International Airport’s new departure lounge

10 The Big Apple 31 Just cruising Take a bite out of the city that never sleeps

19 Connect

Great fly and cruise holidays

32 Dubai it?

INSIDE

46 Sparkle With jewellery store Cuba Lily

48 We’re 80!

From Newcastle to the world

Reach the world via one of the planet’s greatest cities

20 Egypt

35 Get away

50 WIN!

Land of the pharaohs

New from Newcastle

A trip to New York, and more

24 Short breaks

36 On trend

Great European destinations

Travelling in style

And we’ve come a long way

Published by

26 Greek Islands 42 Shopping Our guide to the sunshine isles Making the most of duty free

www.offstonepublishing.co.uk

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Tromso*

DESTINATION MAP

Enontekio* Kiruna* Kittila*

Iv

Rovan

New York Stavanger

Orlando Aberdeen

Cancun Montego Bay* Barbados* Belfast

Copenhagen Isle of Man

Dublin

* limited seasonal services

Birmingham Amsterdam Bristol London Dusseldorf Southampton Newquay Exeter Brussels Jersey Paris Cork Cardiff

Prague

Krakow

Salzburg Innsbruck

Geneva Verona Venice* Chambery Turin Genoa* Nice

Faro

Malaga

Split Sofia Dubrovnik

Rome Naples

Barcalona Reus Alicante

Pisa

Mahon Palma Ibiza Murcia Enfidha

Corfu Kefalonia Malta

Skaithos Zante Kos Santorini Rhod Heraklion

Funchal

Lanzarote Tenerife Fuerteventura Las Palmas

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AT NEWCASTLE AIRPORT?

Find us on 04 horizons

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DESTINATION MAP

valo*

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Newcastle International Airport Destinations 2015

A new year brings a host of new routes to Newcastle International Airport. In 2015 we'll be flying nonstop to New York with United Airlines from May 23 to September 7, all year round to Geneva with easyJet, to Hurghada on the Red Sea Riviera with Thomas Cook and Thomson, and more!

Varna Bourgas

s Bodrum

Antalya des Dalaman Paphos

Hurghada

Larnaca

Sharm el-Sheikh Dubaii

www.newcastleairport.com

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COMINGS & GOINGS

Comings& GOINGS

We catch up with passengers on their way to see the world from Newcastle International Airport

T

here can be few other places where you see a whole gamut of emotions in the space of just a few minutes.

Stay a while at Newcastle International Airport and you’ll spot the excited faces of children about to catch their first plane, families overcome with emotion when they’re reunited after months apart, loved ones kissing

each other goodbye, and business high fliers relieved to be home after closing a tough deal.

Newcastle International Airport is also the perfect place to gather a little inspiration about where to go on your next trip.

Horizons spent some time in the airport, chatting to travellers about where they were going and why…

Northumbria University Bio Medical Science student Natasha Tracey, 21, was looking forward to heading home to Dublin. “This is one of the longest spells I’ve spent in Newcastle without flying home, so I can’t wait to see all my family.

I’m really looking forward to going home, but I have a dissertation to finish too, so I’ll not be sitting there with my feet up the whole time.”

Freelance cameraman Ross Marshall, 36, was on his way to Uruguay, via Heathrow and Paris, to cover the country’s Formula E Grand Prix. “I’ve been as far as Malaysia already this year covering the races. It’s a really interesting form of motor sport, the cars are electric and not as fast as their Formula 1 counterparts, but the racing is on street circuits which makes it really exciting.

I moved to Newcastle about eight months ago and I’ve used Newcastle International Airport a lot - it’s a really nice airport and much easier to use than some of the others I’ve been to.”

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Mum and daughter Jan Bowey, 57, and Mollie Momat, 16, were flying to Brisbane, with a change in Dubai, to visit family.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the Great Barrier Reef, we’ve got plans to go to Adelaide and to go to Australia Zoo. It’ll be interesting to see how Christmas and New Year is celebrated there,” says Jan.

Ten-month-old Rory was checking out the comings and goings at Newcastle International Airport from his baby carrier as mum Ashleigh Williams, 31, checked in for a flight home to Exeter.

“My husband’s in the Navy at Plymouth, so we live nearby. We’re just up for a trip,” she says. Ashleigh’s parents Avril and Jeremy Chalder often fly to Exeter to visit. “It’s so much easier now you can get a flight,” says Avril. “It takes seven hours on the train and that’s more expensive, a 10-hour drive or an hour on the plane. It’s not a hard choice.” www.newcastleairport.com

COMINGS & GOINGS

Jim and Jasmine Haggath are frequent visitors to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“We usually fly into Dubai, spend some time there, then head onto Abu Dhabi,” says Jim. “There’s so much to see, like the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, The Atlantis, the water parks, and the marina. We love The Observatory Restaurant on the 52nd floor of the Dubai Marriott because it has views over the Palm Islands. We go to the malls and the souk, take a boat trip on The Creek, and go to the Montgomerie Golf Club.”

Businessman Shifazul Haque, who runs grocery stores on Newcastle’s West Road, was heading to Bangladesh with his family.

“It’s a holiday but also a visit to see extended family,” he says. “I haven’t been there for 13 years, so it’s going to be interesting to see how everything has changed.”

Angie Girdlestone manages the new Beer House at Newcastle International Airport. “We’ve got a great selection of locally brewed beer from Tyne Bank Brewery and also beers you might not have tried like the Harviestoun Schiehallion from Scotland or the Icelandic Einstok Toasted Porter,” she says. “Lots of people come in for a pint and a Dropswell Farm sausage butty in the morning, or one of our pulled pork or Texan beef stotties for lunch.”

Argentine rugby centre Juan Pablo Socino, 26, was on his way to Paris for Newcastle Falcons’ European Rugby Challenge Cup match with Stade Francais.

“Half of the team flew out last night, and the rest of us are following this morning. We’ve got a big run of games coming up, so being able to cut the travel time by flying into Paris from Newcastle the day before the game is great.” www.newcastleairport.com

Will Stamwar, 26, was one of the customers in the Beer House, enjoying a pint before heading home to London.

“I’ve been in Newcastle visiting friends and, while last time I was up it was for football, I’ve seen a lot more of the North East this time. We’ve been to a couple of the bars in Jesmond, we spent Saturday in Tynemouth and I’ve been to BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.” WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AT NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

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NCLairport

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PARK & FLY

Park & fly It’s so easy to book your space in Newcastle International Airport’s safe and secure car parks. Just drive up and take off!

A

ll car parks at Newcastle International Airport benefit from CCTV, 24x7 monitoring, and stringent security which is accredited under the nationally recognised Park Mark Award scheme.

This means you can travel safe in the knowledge that your car is being well looked after. Plus, access to most car parks is controlled via automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) which provide additional security and a convenient entry to exit experience.

LONG STAY PARKING Newcastle International Airport has exclusive on-site Long Stay car parking, offering passengers a quick and convenient service with 24-hour coach transfer directly to the airport terminal in just a few minutes.

EXPRESS CAR PARKING The Express car park is located immediately outside the terminal and offers the most convenient option for picking up or dropping off travellers. This facility is ticketless, with ANPR cameras recording vehicle entry and exit times then applying the appropriate tariff on exit. Payment is made through coin hoppers or by credit card and the minimum tariff is £1.

FAST TRACK PARKING The Fast Track car park is next to the terminal building and is a one minute walk to the charter check-in hall. The facility offers secure car parking from 24 hours to several days, and comes with the added benefit of a security fast track pass.

SHORT STAY PARKING Situated immediately outside the entrance to the Airport terminal, the Short Stay car park offers convenient and secure parking from 30 minutes to several days. Furthermore, the location enables you to get to the check-in halls in two minutes.

MEET AND GREET Newcastle International Airport offers the most accommodating experience to its customers in the form of the Meet and Greet package. Simply drive into the Fast Track car park, hand your keys to our reception staff, and make the short walk to the check-in halls. On your return your vehicle will be ready for you. It’s so easy!

MEDIUM STAY PARKING The Medium Stay car park is just a few minutes’ walk from the terminal building, and has free parking of 15 minutes for those dropping off or picking up travellers. The facility also offers a pre-booking service for stays from a few hours to several days.

BOOKING For the cheapest rates, book your car parking at Newcastle International Airport in advance – visit www.newcastleairport.com or call 0191 214 4341 for a friendly no-obligation quote.

www.newcastleairport.com

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DESTINATION USA

GETTING THERE This summer, you can fly direct five days a week from Newcastle to New York’s Newark Liberty International. Departing from Newcastle at 9.10am for a noon arrival (local time) in New York, the flight times are perfect to see more of the Big Apple.

Outbound: Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat, Sun (23/05/15-07/09/15) Inbound: Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun (22/05/15-06/09/15) Flight time eastbound: 7 hrs 10 mins Flight time westbound: 7 hrs 50 mins

TWEET TWEET @GemsyGal NYC

There are certain sights which simply must be seen during a NYC trip

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DESTINATION USA

NEW YORK

Start spreading the news…

As United Airlines’ direct flights to New York from Newcastle International Airport begin in May, we’re brimming with ideas of what you can do when you arrive in the city that’s so nice they named it twice

TOURIST MUST-SEES

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6. See a show on Broadway. The great Jersey Boys runs at August Wilson Theatre until September or try Wicked at the Gershwin if you’re travelling early in the summer.

7. Beat the queues by buying passes online before you head up to the Empire State Building’s observatory deck.

8. Take in one of the modern art exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum or just admire the building for its architectural splendour.

9. Join the crowd at a New York Yankees baseball game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

10. Admire some of the 1m plant species at the New York Botanical Garden and the Victorian Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

IMAGE: Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

1. Take the ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island and climb the 354 steps to the Statue of Liberty’s crown.

2. Soak up the atmosphere in Times Square with its neon lights, giant billboards and ticker tapes before heading up to the R Lounge with its floor-to-ceiling windows to drink in the panoramic views with an expertly mixed Manhattan.

3. Enjoy a picnic, listen to a live concert or take a horse and carriage ride through the 843-acre oasis that is Central Park.

4. Take a ride from Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry and enjoy some of the best views of NYC for free.

5. See the huge mammoth and tyrannosaurus rex skeletons at the American Museum of Natural History; the setting for Night at the Museum tours.

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DESTINATION USA

PLACES TO STAY

INSIDER TIPS

From the ultra-expensive to the budget bargain and everything in between, you’re spoilt for choice

Ssshh! Don’t tell New Yorkers we told you their secrets, but here are some tips to get the best out of your trip

1. Synonymous with luxury, The Plaza, on Fifth Avenue, is arguably the city’s most famous hotel, having featured in both F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby and the Baz Luhrmann film adaption. A suite package starts at $1,595 a night.

2. It’s hard to beat the Mandarin Oriental when it comes to its location opposite Central Park. The 75ft lap pool has floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views. Room rates start at $695.

3. In trendy Soho, Donald Trump’s first downtown New York hotel Trump SoHo has impeccable service. Rooms start from around $495.

4. The Pierre is another New York institution. It’s just undergone a $100m makeover and its Fifth Avenue location makes it perfect for a shopping trip. Rooms start from $574 5. Just off Broadway, the Ace Hotel has retro décor, an art gallery in the lobby and Michelin-starred dining in The Breslin Bar and Dining Room.

Room rates start at around $300.

6. Brooklyn’s The Wythe Hotel is a converted Willamsburg waterfront factory which now houses 70 rooms starting at around $300.

7. In the heart of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, the Jane Hotel is a good budget option, with rates from $89.

8. The Gershwin Hotel is a good mid-range option.

Five blocks south of the Empire State Building, rooms start at around $270.

9. On Midtown’s famous tree-lined street, 70 Park Avenue Hotel hosts a complimentary wine hour every evening. Rates start from around $180.

10. If you prefer self-catering, One Fine Stay has a four-bedroom West 22nd Street townhouse in Chelsea from $1,100 a night.

1. Head to the Top of the Rock observation deck at the Rockefeller Centre for incredible views.

2. The most fashionable museum in NYC has to be FIT, at the Fashion Institute of Technology on Seventh Avenue with 50,000 garments and accessories from the 18th Century to present day.

3. For bargain Broadway tickets head to TKTS, a little booth directly under the red staircase in Times Square, for discounts of up to 60%.

4. Among the city’s many boutiques are New York Vintage on West 25th Street, which has dressed Michelle Obama, and AuH20 on East 7th Street.

5. Buy a New York CityPASS for $109. It gets you into the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and Top of the Rock or the Guggenheim. You save money and skip the queues.

6. The Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn provides film feast nights, combining great movies with food and drink served at the moments in the feature films that inspired the dishes.

7. An acoustic anomaly at Grand Central Station means you can hear even the slightest whisper from one side of the archway in front of the Oyster Bar to the other.

8. The archipelago of New York City is made up of no less than 40 natural and man-made islands.

City Island is renowned for its lobster restaurants.

9. Take a stroll in the sky on NYC’s High Line.

The elevated former freight railway runs from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street in Manhattan.

10. Bryant Park sees huge open-air screens erected every Monday in summer showing classic films.

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DESTINATION USA

DAY TRIP DESTINATIONS New York State is so much more than a short-break destination. There’s a lot to do outside the city itself.

Here are some of the myriad of attractions 1. Sands Point. Believed to be the inspiration for East Egg, the home of the Buchanans in The Great Gatsby, this is a swanky neighbourhood on Long Island’s north shore.

2. Hudson. Browse the antiques shops on Warren Street or take boat tour on the Hudson River.

3. Hudson Valley is America’s oldest wine-making and grape-growing region. The Brotherhood Winery at Greendale is the oldest of them all and offers tours and tastings.

4. Fire Island. Its pristine beaches are the perfect place to unwind.

5. Atlantic City. Even if you just push a few dollars into the slots, Atlantic City is worth seeing for the sheer spectacle of the casinos.

6. Kykuit. John D. Rockefeller’s Hudson Valley Home. The art collection is incredible with work from Picasso, Henry Moore and Alexander Calder.

7. Hyde Park. The 54-room mansion of another eminent American family, the Vanderbilts.

8. The Hamptons. Long the summer playground of the rich and famous, gaze at the magnificent (and monstrous) houses, picnic on the beaches and people watch.

9. Belmont Stakes. If you’re in New York on June 6th, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is a must.

10. Harriman State Park in Rockland and Orange Counties, Harriman State Park has 31 lakes, two beaches and 200 miles of hiking track.

PLACES TO SHOP New York is a shopper’s paradise of iconic brands, independent boutiques, and eclectic flea markets 1. Macy’s is New York’s answer to Harrods. On Herald Square, where 34th Street, Sixth Avenue and Broadway converge, you’ll find pretty much anything you could want to purchase right here.

2. Savvy New Yorkers get their designer bargains at outlets like Woodbury Common in Central Valley, for great-value Fendi, Chanel, Miu Miu and more.

3. Fifth Avenue is a must for the world’s luxury boutiques like Tiffany, Emilio Pucci, and Versace, plus the largest Build-A-Bear Workshop in the world.

4. Brooklyn’s Sunday Flea Market on Williamsburg is full of antiques and retro clothing. There’s also the amazing Smorgasburg Food Market on Saturdays.

5. FAO Swartz, in the General Motors Building at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street is toy heaven. Try a replica of the huge piano from the Tom Hanks movie Big. 6. If you’re planning a picnic in Central Park, then the Upper West Side Fairway Market is the place to pick up produce to pack in your basket.

7. The Strand on Broadway famously has 18 miles of books; it could take you days to browse them all.

8. CO Bigelow apothecary on Sixth Avenue, established in 1838, remains delightfully retro, selling the likes of Dr Harris lip balm, Marvis toothpaste and Korane Floral Water make-up remover.

9. Stephen Alan is a one-stop shop for that thrown-together NYC weekend look. The Franklin Street branch is fab.

10. Combine sightseeing with shopping at the Museum of Modern Art gift shop for prints, posters, toys and jewellery.

The Steel Pier at Atlantic City www.newcastleairport.com

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Get Haway Fly from Newcastle to the Isle of Man from only £49.95 One way, including taxes. No fuel surcharges or debit card fees.

You’re never short of something to see and do during a visit to the Isle of Man whether you’re looking for action packed fun or the opportunity to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. It’s all here.

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Book now at Citywing.com for low cost frequent flights

www.newcastleairport.com

DESTINATION USA

TWEET TWEET

PLACES TO EAT New York is a melting pot of cultures, which means you get to eat your way around the world in one city

@KrisTatum27 The #PershingSquareCafe across from Grand Central Station is brilliant! Best breakfasts in #NYC

1. Le Bernardin seafood restaurant on West 51st Street has three Michelin stars. A tasting menu from chef Eric Ripert will set you back $336.

2. The Four Seasons Restaurant is the place to go to see the city’s movers and shakers tucking into fig-stuffed quails and rib-eye burgers.

3. Gotham Bar & Grill on East 12th Street offers a quintessential New York experience, the food is served in stunning architectural towers and the $35 Greenmarket lunch menu is a bargain.

4. 21 Club is the last of the original speakeasies.

On West 52nd Street, it has a doorman and a strict dress code. Joan Collins prefers table 15, Frank Sinatra dined at table 14 and table 31 is a favourite of Bill Clinton and the Kennedys.

5. If you love steak, then Peter Luger is a must on 178 Broadway. Featured in The Sopranos, it serves the best rare porterhouse steaks .

6. Sardi’s on West 44th Street in the heart of the theatre district is the perfect pre or post-Broadway venue and its jumbo crab cakes are a must.

7. Tomoe Sushi on 172 Thompson Street always has a queue outside. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and try the yellow tail and scallion rolls. d it 8. Owned by Robert de Niro, Locando Verde on Greenwich Street serves Italian classics like squid ink linguini and pappardelle with lamb Bolognese.

9. Voted the best vegetarian restaurant in NYC, Hangawi, on East 32nd Street, serves spicy kimchi mushroom pancakes and kale dumplings with tofu. As in Korea, remove your shoes at the door.

10. Marlow & Sons is a café by day and cosy restaurant by night. You eat at long communal tables, so you’re sure to make new friends.

www.newcastleairport.com

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DESTINATION USA

ONWARD CONNECTIONS

Flying high It takes under eight hours to fly the 3,332 miles from Newcastle to New York.

Here’s what you can expect from United Airlines’ flight UA159 THE AIRCRAFT The Boeing 757-200 has 169 seats; 16 in United BusinessFirst and 153 in United Economy, including 45 Economy Plus seats with added leg room.

CLASSES United’s BusinessFirst has seats which recline 180 degrees for a flat bed with 6ft 4ins of space and duvet-style blankets. Passengers also get a personal entertainment system with 15.4ins touchscreens, laptop power and USB ports, and amenity kits with Philosophy skincare products. Economy Plus offers up to 5 ins extra legroom near the front of the cabin for a swifter exit on arrival.

FOOD United has its own Congress of Chefs; experts who include Jimmy Canora, formerly of Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Grill, and Bryan Caswell, who co-owns REEF, named the US’s best seafood restaurant

by Bon Appétit. Doug Frost, who oversees

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wine selection and pairing, is one of only three people in the world to hold both Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles. Business Class passengers’ complimentary five-course meal includes appetiser, salad, a choice of four entrées, a cheese course and United’s signature ice cream sundae. The wine list includes Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Réserve Champagne, Andean Finca La Escondida Malbec, and Quinta do Noval 2008 port.

Economy passengers are also served complimentary meals and can purchase further food and snacks, including pretzels with honey mustard and salted chocolate chip brownie brittle.

ENTERTAINMENT Seatback on-demand entertainment systems offer up to 150 movies, 185 TV shows, music, interactive video games, and a library of movies and TV shows to watch on your own laptop or tablet.

Passengers also have a complimentary copy of Hemispheres magazine.

NYC’s Newark Airport is a gateway to the US and beyond. Here are some of its 300+ onward connections 1. SAN FRANCISCO One of the world’s most iconic destinations, visit the island prison of Alcatraz, climb Coit Tower, and enjoy the historic trolley cars.

FROM NEWARK: 6 hrs 2. TORONTO Beautiful and culturally diverse, 200 nationalities call Toronto home. An amazing melting pot of cultures. FROM NEWARK: 1 hr 30 mins 3. PHOENIX A burgeoning cultural scene and some of the world’s best sunsets, Phoenix is the gateway to the Grand Canyon. FROM NEWARK: 5 hrs 10 mins 4. MIAMI With its Art Deco architecture, beautiful people and balmy temperatures, Miami is a bolthole for fashionable New Yorkers. FROM NEWARK: 3 hrs 5. LOS ANGELES Home to Hollywood, the City of Angels is an intoxicating mix of showbiz, art and culture. FROM NEWARK: 5 hrs 40 mins 6. NEW ORLEANS Listen to live jazz spilling from the bars on Bourbon Street, explore the famous Cities of the Dead cemeteries and tuck into a traditional Louisiana gumbo. FROM NEWARK: 3 hrs 10 mins 7. LAS VEGAS Land of casinos and the world’s biggest stars at Caesars Palace, Vegas has to be seen to be believed. FROM NEWARK: 5 hrs 20 mins 8. SEATTLE Take in the view from the Space Needle tower, ride the West Coast’s largest ferris wheel, explore vibrant Capitol Hill and eat in the Chinatown night market. FROM NEWARK: 5 hrs 40 mins 9. CHICAGO With fantastic museums, art, food, music and a seaside feel because of its position on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago will blow you away.

FROM NEWARK: 2 hrs 20 mins 10. ORLANDO Home to the world’s best theme parks, from Disney World and Universal Studios, to Sea World and Gatorland. FROM NEWARK: 2 hrs 40 mins

www.newcastleairport.com

Š 2014 United Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved. Flights commence Summer 2015.

Includes destinations served by United Airlines, Inc. and United Express.

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NYC

www.newcastleairport.com

friendly

Introducing nonstop flights between Newcastle and New York/Newark for Summer 2015.

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NEWCASTLE CONNECTS

NOW OPEN AT NEWCASTLE AIRPORT

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NEWCASTLE CONNECTS

Next stop... the world Start with a flight from Newcastle International Airport and you can reach every corner of the globe

FROM HEATHROW… British Airways flies direct from Newcastle to Heathrow in just 1 hour 20 minutes, and from Heathrow, you can reach 180 amazing destinations worldwide, such as these...

TO CAPE TOWN You could keep heading south and connect with another British Airways flight to beautiful Cape Town, where you can take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain or picnic next to the resident jackass penguins on Boulders Beach.

TO MOSCOW With fairy tale architecture, Soviet skyscrapers, a range of superb art galleries and an increasingly vibrant café culture, Moscow is unmissable. See the famous St Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square with its multi-coloured onion domes, eat in the Turandot Asian fusion restaurant which has an incredible interior reported to have cost £25m, and see the famous Bolshoi ballet. www.newcastleairport.com

FROM AMSTERDAM...

KLM will take you from Newcastle to Amsterdam Schiphol in 1 hour 20 minutes, opening up hundreds of connections around the world.

TO TOKYO Tokyo’s sci-fi landscape of neon lights and skyscrapers sits alongside ancient shrines and temples. Catch the super-fast lift to the Tokyo Sky Tree observation deck for views of Mount Fuji, visit the temple of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy and see the wrestling at the national sumo arena Ryogoku Kokugikan.

TO BERLIN Combing the best bits of a European capital, Berlin has played some of history’s biggest roles.

Walk along the remnants of the Berlin Wall, visit the Checkpoint Charlie crossing point between east and west and take a tour of the Reichstag.

FROM BRUSSELS...

Brussels Airlines flies up to three times a day from Newcastle to the Belgian capital. From there, you can reach a range of destinations, from Oslo to Ouagadougou.

TO MADRID Madrid has a big spring in its step. The Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums have all been enlarged to better display work by the likes of Picasso, Dali and Miró. Gourmands should head for Platea, for food by chefs who hold a combined six Michelin stars.

TO ATHENS The mighty Acropolis should be on every visitor’s itinerary, but Athens is about much

m ations fro For destin 3 e page 3 e s i, a b u D m ations fro For destin ewark, N New York 16 see page more than its past. Taverna tables spill onto the streets and in the Pagrati neighbourhood you can treat yourself to milk-fed lamb followed by pistachio mascarpone ice cream in the bougainvillea-draped garden of two-Michelin starred Spondi.

FROM PARIS...

Air France will transport you to Paris Charles de Gaulle in under two hours to explore the city of romance before heading further afield.

RIO DE JANEIRO Flanked by mountains which sit above white-sand beaches, Rio is one of the world’s most spectacular cities. Head for Ipanema or Copacabana beach before taking the narrowgauge railway to the Cristo Redentor statue.

TO CORISCA Visitors are drawn to Corsica’s mild climate and diverse scenery. In the morning, you could soak up the sun on one of the island’s perfect horseshoe bays before hiking in the Gorges de la Spelunca or strolling the shady streets of the harbour city of Bonifacio.

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IMAGE: Mark Schwettmann / Shutterstock.com

D

irect flights from Newcastle to the world’s major hub airports of Dubai, Newark Liberty, Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Brussels and Amsterdam Schiphol mean you can connect to any destination from Abuja to Zanzibar.

And because the world’s major airlines have joined forces as part of programmes such as Star Alliance or One World, journeys are smoother than ever before, even if you switch airline mid-trip. Here are a few of the endless possibilities on offer.

DESTINATION EGYPT

EGYPT

Valley of the kings Liz Hands explores treasures above and below water with a twin-centre break to Hurghada and the Nile Valley

F

or anyone who struggles to dip a toe into most oceans because of their bracing temperatures, the Red Sea is something of a dream.

Like stepping into a warm bath, albeit one teeming with marine life, the Red Sea remains a pretty much constant 26C. And there can be few better bases for underwater exploration than Hurghada, on the western side of the Red Sea Riviera, which has blossomed from a quaint fishing village into a bustling resort.

You can snorkel right from the golden sands

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which swathe Hurghada’s 25-mile coastline, but many of the resort’s hotels offer snorkelling and diving trips from their own jetties, taking you to some of the very best sites in the Red Sea. Abu Nuhas is famous for the shipwrecks just beneath the surface, including the SS Carnatic, which sank in 1869 en route from England to Calcutta with a cargo of gold which would be worth £1m today. Careless Reef, meanwhile, has a large population of semi-tame moray eels, while Thistlegorm is home to the wreck of a ship built in Sunderland, which was sunk by German bombers

during World War II. While the resort was originally thrust into the limelight because of its great diving, Hurghada has much more to offer.

You can try out your bartering skills at the bazaar in the old part of town, El Dahar, take a day trip to camel ride in the Sahara and discover Roman ruins at nearby Gebel Abu-Dukhan, before returning to Hurghada’s Marina Boulevard for cocktails and dinner.

If you want to combine a diving holiday with a visit to the Nile’s treasures, then Hurghada, just like Sharm el-Shiekh, is perfectly placed.

www.newcastleairport.com

DESTINATION ?????? EGYPT

GETTING THERE Thomas Cook flies direct to Hurghada from Newcastle (from February 2015).

Flights with Thomson start November 6 2015.

Flight time: 5 hrs 30 mins

You can do as we did and take the bumpy night bus to Cairo, watching the headlights occasionally flash across wild camels, or take the quicker route by air. Once there, hiring a tour guide is the best way to see the important sights in the Egyptian Museum before heading to the pyramids at Giza and, finally, gazing at the sphinx.

Luxor is easily accessible too with a drive across the dust-dry desert to the site rightly referred to as the greatest museum in the world. Cut directly into the mountains are the tombs of Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. The Temple

of Queen Hatshepsut is architecturally stunning, with beautiful murals on the inner walls, while the Temple of Karnak is an incredible feat of engineering. The Temple of Amun-Ra, with its hypostyle hall containing 134 free-standing columns, already feels familiar having been the backdrop of many Hollywood films.

After wondering at the man-made scale and beauty during the spectacular Karnak sound and light show, there’s just time to marvel once more at the beauty of Mother Nature with a final dip in the Red Sea at Hurghada.

TWEET TWEET @MrRossHallam

Egypt’s Red Sea and the Pyramids make stunning backdrops for an unforgettable holiday www.newcastleairport.com

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BREAKS EUROPE

Cities of cultures

Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge

With a world of destinations on offer direct from Newcastle International Airport, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Try these European favourites DELIGHTFUL DUBLIN Elegant Georgian architecture, lively pubs and - of course - the chance to sup a pint or three of the black stuff in the brewery where it’s made, mean Dublin is a city not to be missed.

Many of Dublin’s attractions lie within a compact area either side of the River Liffey.

At Trinity College, the main draw is the Book of Kells, Ireland’s answer to the Lindisfarne Gospels. Written around 800AD by monks, it is one of the most beautiful manuscripts in the world and a must-see on any visit. Meanwhile, The National Gallery of Ireland houses stunning works by Vermeer, Caravaggio, Picasso, van Gogh, and Monet.

There’s no wrong time to visit Dublin. The city is one big celebration on St Patrick’s Day in March, while the summer months bring the Dublin Shakespeare Festival, the Festival of World Cultures and the Dublin Viking Festival.

October brings a taste of Germany to the city with Oktoberfest while Nollaig at Croke Park is a magical winter wonderland with ice skating and a carousel. No visit to Dublin would be complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse brewery. Eat at Gilroy’s, the brewery bistro, where you can enjoy Carlingford Lough mussels cooked in Guinness, dill and cream.

More at www.visitdublin.com

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BRILLIANT BRUSSELS With first-rate art collections, superb cooking, unique beers and master chocolatiers, Brussels is about so much more than European politics.

The central pedestrianised Grand Place, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the spot to start your stay. Its historic merchant guildhalls surround tempting cafés and bars, perfect for people watching. There’s a daily flower market here in summer along with concerts and evening light shows.

You can visit all of Europe in Bruparck, which has landmark buildings of the continent built to a 25th of their original size. You’ll see gondolas, a TGV train on its way to Paris and hear the chimes of Big Ben. One of the most visited attractions in the city is a 60cm high statue called the Manneken-Pis (we’ll let you translate!); a water fountain sculpture of a naked boy.

All four seasons bring their own advantages.

Spring has an upbeat feel, while Brussels’ café culture is in full swing in the summer. Autumn brings golden hues as the beech leaves change colour while the city’s Christmas fair spreads across its centre during the winter.

In July, the Ommegang, literally translated as the “walk around” takes place; a historic re-enactment with 1,400 performers.

More at www.visitbrussels.be

CAPTIVATING COPENHAGEN With multi-coloured houses, winding canals and cutting-edge cuisine, Copenhagen is pleasingly compact, making it the perfect weekend getaway.

The Nyhavn waterfront district with its Balamory-style homes and bobbing sailboats is picture perfect. Many of the houses lining the quays have been the homes of prominent artists and Hans Christian Andersen lived in three of them. As well as Indre By, the central city area, Nørrebro and the former red light district of Vesterbro are worth a look for their quirky shops and bars, while Christianshavn is home to the modernist Opera House and the culinary temple that is Noma.

Copenhagen comes into its own in the summer when the streets are full of visitors. The festival calendar is at its busiest too, including the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in July, while autumn sees cultural venues throw open their doors all night for October’s Kulturnatten.

Winters are dark and cold, but this adds to the festive atmosphere created by the Christmas markets and parade.

Copenhagen also now has an aquarium. The standout exhibit at the Blue Planet in Kastrup is the Ocean Tank, where hammerhead sharks swim with rays and moray eels.

More at www.visitcopenhagen.com www.newcastleairport.com

BREAKS EUROPE Nyhavn waterfront in Copenhagen GETTING THERE Dublin Up to three flights daily with Aer Lingus and Ryanair. www.aerlingus.com www.ryanair.com Flight time: 1hr 10 mins Brussels Up to three flights daily with bmi regional. www.bmiregional.com Flight time: 1hr 25 mins Copenhagen Up to six flights a week with SAS. www.flysas.com Flight time: 1hr 40 mins

DUSSELDORF AND COLOGNE Cologne and Dusseldorf offer two very different experiences just 25 miles apart.

Dusseldorf is arguably the more upscale with its Michelin-starred restaurants, the Kunstpalast Museum’s collection of contemporary art and works by the masters, and the designer stores on the Königsalle, known by locals as the Ko. Cologne is more laid back, but still has plenty of art galleries and museums, regular festivals, an ornate cathedral and a lively café culture.

Dusseldorf’s Karneval, with its spectacular processions and parties, takes place throughout the city in spring while Cologne’s carnival begins in November and carries on into February.

In Dusseldorf, stay at The Breidenbacher Hof on the Königsalle which has been refurbished in luxurious style, while in Cologne The Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg is a stunning Baroque castle with a three Michelin-starred restaurant, spa and golf course.

Both cities are famed for their beer and waiters will automatically top you up until you balance your coaster on your glass. The most famous souvenir you can bring home from Cologne is, of course, Eau de Cologne. The Ko in Dusseldorf is a glamorous boulevard home to branches of all the top designers while the Altstadt hosts many boutiques and galleries.

More at www.visitdusseldorf.com www.newcastleairport.com

Dusseldorf Up to six flights a week with Germanwings. www.germanwings.com Flight time: 1hr 20 mins

Brussels city centre

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DESTINATION GREECE

GREEK ISLANDS

Going Greek There are regular summer flights from Newcastle headed for the brilliant blue skies, crystal clear waters and startling whitewashed houses of the Greek Islands. Getting there is a doddle, which means the only difficulty lies in choosing which ones to visit. Liz Hands goes island hopping…

SKIATHOS Thrust into the limelight when it, and its neighbour Skopelos, provided the backdrop for the movie Mamma Mia, Skiathos is nothing short of stunning. Skiathos Town, with its whitewashed houses tumbling in tiers down to the harbour, is the place to go for cocktails and dinner. There’s only one main road running from the town so we took the regular local bus, simply getting off wherever took our fancy. It’s also worth hiring a car for a day to see Katro, an abandoned 14th Century town perched on a hill overlooking the northern Aegean.

GETTING THERE: One flight per week with Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 3 hrs 40 mins KEFALONIA Another Greek island to have taken a starring role in a Hollywood movie, this time Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Kefalonia is the largest of the

Ionian islands. But despite the success of the novel and the film adaption, Kefalonia remains an unspoilt gem, never feeling overcrowded even in the summer season. Spend the morning on the picture-perfect sands of Myrtos before visiting the monastery of Agios Gerasimos, which is open until 8pm. As dusk falls, head to one of the marina-side restaurants of Fiskardo.

GETTING THERE: Up to two flights per week with Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 3 hrs 40 mins SANTORINI Santorini is an island like no other. Crescentshaped because of the massive volcano which caused its centre to collapse into a caldera, the sunsets you can see from its cliff tops are legendary. Its beautiful beaches also have to be seen to be believed. Perissa has a swathe of black sand created by volcanic rock, while Akrotiri has breathtaking red sand and cliffs.

The towns of Oia and Fira are both picture postcard pretty, with their cobbled streets and whitewashed tavernas.

GETTING THERE: One flight per week with Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 4 hrs CORFU While Greece may be known for its white houses and blue sea, the colours of which feature in its flag, Corfu throws a third colour into the mix.

Known as The Emerald Isle, it is a verdant oasis of cypress trees, olive groves and wildflowers. The strobe lights of Kavos beckon partygoers, while Corfu also has a much more peaceful side. In the north east, from Nisaki to Kassiopi, the hillsides descend to pebbly coves.

GETTING THERE: Up to six flights per week with easyJet, Jet2.com, Olympic Holidays, Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 3 hrs 15 mins

The picturesque coastline of Santorini

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www.newcastleairport.com

DESTINATION GREECE

Hippocrates Square in the historic Old Town of Rhodes RHODES With miles of spectacular sandy beaches and tiny coves, a forested interior and Rhodes Town, the medieval walled citadel which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s no wonder the largest of the Dodecanese islands is so popular.

GETTING THERE: Up to five flights per week with easyJet, Jet2.com, Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 4 hrs 40 mins KOS Historic sites are so plentiful in Kos that you become almost blasé about passing millennia old ruins. On a pine-clad hill just south west of Kos Town lies Asclepeion, the extensive ruins of the world’s first hospital where Hippocrates practised, while next to the 14th Century Castle of Kings you can find the ancient agora, an open site with impressive Corinthian columns.

GETTING THERE: Up to two flights per week with Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 4 hrs 10 mins

www.newcastleairport.com

ZANTE Zante is home to one of the most photographed beaches in Greece, Navagio bay, where the remains of smuggler ship Panagiotis lie on the sand. Zante’s south coast is where you’ll find the busiest resorts, while its northern areas and mountainous west remain unspoilt.

GETTING THERE: Up to five flights per week with Jet2.com, Olympic Holidays, Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 3 hrs 55 mins CRETE The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is awash with historical sites, having been the birthplace of Minoan society. You’ll find the remnants of this mysterious civilisation all over the island. You can also trek through Europe’s longest gorge, or just relax on one of Crete’s Blue Flag beaches.

GETTING THERE: Up to three flights per week with Jet2.com, Olympic Holidays, Thomas Cook, and Thomson FLIGHT TIME: 4 hrs 30 mins

TWEET TWEET @aerob19 Kefalos in Kos beautiful place and a nice little resort

The Greek Islands make for lifelong memories

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DESTINATION MALTA MALTA

GETTING THERE Air Malta, Belleair, easyJet, Jet2.com, Thomas Cook, and Thomson all fly to Malta once a week from Newcastle Flight time: 3 hrs 30 mins

Magical Malta Small but perfectly formed, Malta is the jewel of the Mediterranean

I

TWEET TWEET @cisklager happy memories in Sliema, Malta

The world has woken up to the magic of Malta 28 horizons

t’s no wonder both British and Hollywood royalty have fallen for Malta’s many charms.

Only 17 miles long but packing a mighty punch when it comes to beauty and historic attractions, this tiny island, and neighbouring Gozo, was the honeymoon destination of choice for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie when they finally tied the knot in 2014.

The pair, whose film By The Sea was also shot there, rented villas in Gozo’s Mgarr ix-Xini I bay, an impossibly pretty pebble beach with crystal clear waters, and were spotted touring Malta’s coastline in a yacht with their brood.

Prince William also sparked a surge of interest in Malta when he stood in for his pregnant wife as guest of honour at the island’s 50th anniversary of independence in the historic capital of Valletta.

It seems the world has finally woken up to the magic of Malta, where the sun’s rays

continue to warm the island long into the British winter, with temperatures as high as 17C. But, while it’s very welcome, there’s more to Malta than sunshine.

To the north, you’ll find its most established beach resorts, Bugibba, St Paul’s Bay and the huge sandy swatch of Mellieħa.

Sliema and St Julian’s are a heartland for entertainment and café culture, while the south not only offers an insight into rural life, but is also home to the prehistoric temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra. Central Malta is dominated by the ancient capital of Mdina, a practically perfect example of a medieval walled town that is simply unmissable.

No matter when you visit, there’s also sure to be a celebration of some sort.

Holy days such as the feast of Santa Marija in August and the harvest festival of Mnarja in June are national holidays, and there are festas in every village to honour their patron saint.

Stunning red sun over the beautiful volcanic island of Malta

www.newcastleairport.com

DESTINATION GENEVA GENEVA

No snow required…

GETTING THERE Up to four times a week with easyJet Flight time: 2 hrs 5 mins

With new year-round flights to Geneva, it’s no longer just a winter destination

S

o, just what is there to do in Geneva during the summer?

Well, an awful lot as it happens.

When the snow starts to melt, a new, greener side to the Alps is uncovered. While chalets in the popular skiing areas of the Alps rent for astronomical sums during the winter season, your Swiss Francs will stretch a lot further in summer.

If you fell in love with Johanna Spyri’s version of Switzerland in the Heidi story, then head to the eastern canton of Graubünden, where the novel was set.

You can visit Heidiland in chocolate-box pretty Maienfeld before hiking to the Heidihaus farm. With mountain goats, the clank of cow bells, wild flowers and the Alps as a backdrop, it really is like stepping into the pages of a storybook.

The white stuff isn’t even necessary to speed down the mountainside. There are tin toboggan runs dotted across Switzerland;

the longest begins on Fräkmüntegg at 1,415 metres and you can reach speeds of up to 40kmh on it.

You are never far from a river or lake; cool and crystalline, Lake Constance has a buzzy feel during summer, while Genevans have been frolicking in the Bains de Pâquis on Lake Geneva since 1872. There’s a public swimming area, steam rooms, a café and a little spa where you can have a massage.

The city even has its own method of public transport; the Mouettes genevoises public boats crisscross Lake Geneva all year and you can enjoy the views of the Alps reflected in the water.

Geneva comes alive in summer with a packed festival and event programme. This is also the time to witness the famous Lake Geneva fountain, the Jet d’Eau, which sprays water a staggering 140 metres into the air. A spectacular sight in a superb setting; one of numerous reasons to visit this iconic city.

TWEET TWEET @Trotter1987 Jan’14

Geneva

Geneva is more than just a place to ski with much to do and see in the summer www.newcastleairport.com

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BREAKS UK

Best of British

GETTING TO JERSEY Up to three times a week with easyJet, and daily with Flybe (via Southampton) Travel time: 1 hr 40 mins GETTING TO EXETER Daily flights with Flybe Travel time: 1 hr 20 mins

You don’t need to endure a long drive or train journey if you want to head for a staycation

JERSEY Closer to France than our southern coastline, tiny Jersey enjoys more annual sunshine hours than anywhere else in Britain.

With 50 miles of coastline, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches. St Brelade’s Bay’s swathe of golden sand is south-facing, safe and sheltered, while the receding tides at quieter Plemont leave pools perfect for children to play.

The emphasis is on conservation at the Durrell Wildlife Park where you can see some of the most endangered species in the world, while the Jersey War Tunnels tell the story of the island’s occupation by Germany in WWII. 2015 is the 70th anniversary of Jersey’s liberation and there will be a day-long carnival on May 9. There are also flower festivals, fairs and an international air display.

More information at www.jersey.com

EXETER Exeter is becoming increasingly popular for those looking for a culture-rich city break.

Exeter’s Gothic cathedral, which holds court above the city’s cobbled streets, has an incredible vaulted ceiling and a host of intricate stone and wooden carvings.

Further afield, the Dartmoor National Park and its tors and moors is easily reached, as are the sandy beaches of Exmouth and Dawlish on Devon’s glorious coastline.

With so many attractions, both indoor and outdoor, Exeter is a year-round destination. Northernhay Gardens plays host to the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink in mid-April and an open-air film festival in August.

In July, there is the Lammas Fair, which dates back to before the Norman Conquest.

For more information visit the website www.heartofdevon.com/exeter

Exeter and Jersey by air is quick and easy

Exeter Cathedral

Mont Orgueil Castle, Jersey

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www.newcastleairport.com

FLY & CRUISE

Fly & cruise Fly direct from Newcastle to ports in Europe and the Caribbean...and then take to the waves This year, cruise operators will visit more than 140 resorts, all starting with a flight from Newcastle. P&O Cruises passengers travelling from the North East can embark on a cruise on the liner Oceana, starting in either Venice or Genoa.

If you join in Venice you will sail through Montenegro’s Gulf of Kotor and see Kotor’s old town and the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. From there, it’s on to Corfu, the Venetian Old Fortress in Corfu Town and Paleokastritsa beach.

Rome and its many historic attractions is next, before Monte Carlo, where you can try your luck at the Grand Casino. The Italian gem of Genoa follows - home of the pesto which originated from this region.

Livorno is next with its pretty bars, cafés and shops, and you can reach Pisa and Florence from here or visit the Tuscan towns of Lucca and Siena. Cruising into the Bay of Naples for the next stop is a memorable experience, while visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum nearby are unforgettable. You can also enjoy the smart cliff-top resort of Sorrento while you’re here, and the fashionable island of Capri.

The 12th Century Croatian walled city of Dubrovnik is another unforgettable experience, its old town crammed with architectural marvels. It’s then back to Venice, where you could opt to add a few days to your holiday.

P&O’s second Mediterranean itinerary

starts in Genoa, taking in all the same exciting destinations in a different order.

P&O’s Fly Med 14-night holidays leave Newcastle for Venice on April 8, May 6, and August 12 2015, and for Genoa on July 22 and September 30.

To find out more and to check itineraries, visit www.pocruises.com OTHER ROUTES FROM NEWCASTLE: THE CARIBBEAN Leaving Barbados in November, P&O Caribbean cruises visit exotic destinations including Aruba, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Antigua, Dominica, and Grenada.

CROATIA, ITALY AND MALTA The Taste of the Adriatic cruise aboard the Thomson Celebration operates JuneSeptember starting in Dubrovnik and calling at Valletta, Messina, Brindisi, Kotor, and Hvar.

SPAIN, FRANCE AND MOROCCO Beginning in Mallorca. Mediterranean Medley operates May-October, taking in Villefranche, Livorno, Rapallo, Toulon and Barcelona.

Treasures of the Mediterranean sails MayOctober and visits Olbia, Sorrento, Rome, Ajaccio, and Palamos, while Moorish Delights travels May-September, taking in Gibraltar, Cadiz, Tangier, Cartagena, and Valencia.

SPAIN AND ITALY Royal Caribbean International sails in July and August from Barcelona and stops at Mallorca,

Marseille, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples.

GREECE AND ITALY Thomson Majesty’s Italian Flavours cruises in July and August visit Corfu Town, Valletta, Trapani, Rome, Sorrento, and Messina.

Hellenic Classics operates May-October and features Corfu Town, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Athens, and Kalamata.

TURKEY AND GREECE Thomson Spirit’s Ancient Wonders cruises from May-September start from Marmaris and take in Istanbul, Bozcaada, Kusadasi, Athens and Thira. A second itinerary in July and August takes in Marmaris, Istanbul, Constanta, Sevastopol, and Mykonos.

Royal Caribbean International heads to Greece and Turkey in July and August, setting off from Rome and visiting Santorini, Kusadasi, Bodrum and Crete. A second Greek Isles cruise in July and August also starts in Rome, going to Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Katakolon.

TURKEY, CYPRUS, LEBANON, ISRAEL Thomson’s Eastern Encounter in June and October starts in Marmaris and takes in Beirut, Larnaca, Ashdod, and Haifa.

NORWAY Hurtigruten’s Artic Highlights tour in February and November visits Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Kirkenes, and Hammerfest. The Classic Round Voyage in April and July starts at Bergen before heading to Kirkenes and back.

Venice www.newcastleairport.com

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DUBAI ONWARDS

DUBAI

The city above the clouds With daily Emirates flights every afternoon from Newcastle, it couldn’t be simpler to get to Dubai and you’ll find plenty of things to keep you occupied

T

here’s nothing you can’t do in Dubai.

You can climb the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, swim with dolphins, ski indoors on real snow, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants and snowboard in the desert.

Perceptions of the city can be that it’s all about the newest, the biggest or the boldest, which is partly true of course. But there’s also the old Bastakiya quarter, a charming labyrinth of old merchants’ homes, galleries, tea houses and the

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Dubai Museum to explore the city’s history.

Dubai really only experiences two temperatures - hot and hotter. November to March sees mercury levels fall a little, but summer is proving popular with travellers taking advantage of bargain prices. Too warm? You can always cool down in the air-conditioned restaurants, bars and shopping malls.

The Burj Al Arab is known as the world’s only seven-star hotel. With a distinctive sail-shaped silhouette, it has Ferraris and Lamborghinis

available for guests to hire, butler service, a waterpark, and eight bars and restaurants. At The Atlantis, you can swim with dolphins, meet sea lions and stay in an underwater suite where fish swim past your window.

Dubai is also known for its show-stopping style and its restaurants are part and parcel of that.

Pierchic, which is suspended over the waves on wooden stilts at Jumeirah Beach, is reached by a stroll along a private pier between the Burj Al Arab and The Atlantis. Or try the Al Hadheerah in the

www.newcastleairport.com

DUBAI ONWARDS

GETTING THERE Daily flights with Emirates Flight time: 7 hrs 15 mins

Upwards and onwards Emirates arrived at Newcastle eight years ago and opened up the world.

Here are some of the places you can go PHUKET Thailand’s largest island where temperatures hover around 30C all year, but from November to March, the rains disappear and the Andaman Sea is millpond calm. Patong is the busiest beach resort, while to the north, Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao Beach are where to head for some peace and quiet. Go to Bang Pae national park where a small sanctuary works to rescue gibbons held in captivity before releasing them into the wild. Bang Pae waterfall is a short walk through the forest and you can take a dip in the pools while hearing the calls of the gibbons nearby.

Connecting flights from Phuket to Bangkok take just 90 minutes.

FLIGHT TIME FROM DUBAI: 6 hrs

TWEET TWEET @Kellyb16

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, where the evening ends with a fireworks display.

One of the greatest shopping destinations in the world, Dubai’s malls are legendary. The “big five” are City Centre Deira, BurJuman, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Ibn Battuta. The Dubai Shopping Festival in January brings with it huge discounts, or try out your bartering skills at a souk.

There’s always something new in Dubai. Nikki Beach, the luxury beach club brand is opening this year on Pearl Jumeirah island.

www.newcastleairport.com

MALDIVES Another little slice of paradise on earth, every resort in the Maldives is set on its own private island. There are more than 100 in the archipelago, offering unparalleled luxury. Which one to choose really depends on your budget and whether you’re travelling with children. The One & Only Reethi Rah in the North Malé Atoll has water villas perched above the turquoise lagoon, a huge selection of champagnes and even a sake sommelier at the Tapasake restaurant. Or try the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru on the undeveloped Baa Atoll, where you can swim with manta rays, whale sharks and turtles.

FLIGHT TIME FROM DUBAI: 4 hrs 10 mins SEYCHELLES It’s hardly surprising that George Clooney and his wife Amal Alamuddin chose the Seychelles for their honeymoon destination.

With talcum-power sands, azure waters, palm trees and boulders on the beach which wouldn’t look out of place in a contemporary art gallery, it’s like stepping into the pages of a holiday brochure and the perfect spot for scuba diving, FLIGHT TIME FROM DUBAI: 4 hrs 30 mins

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IMAGE: S-F / Shutterstock.com

Dubai is home to the luxuries of life and shopping malls galore

MAURITIUS The writer Mark Twain once said: “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and heaven was copied after Mauritius.” And it’s not hard to see where he was coming from. Beaches with sand so white it looks like spilled sugar sit beneath volcanic mountain backdrops. There are reassuring remnants of the British colonial era, not least the fact you drive on the left. But there’s enough of the exotic that Mauritius doesn’t feel too familiar. You can swim with wild bottlenose dolphins or take a zip line over the Casela Nature and Leisure Park, home to tigers, lions, kangaroos and giant tortoises. FLIGHT TIME FROM DUBAI: 6 hrs 30 mins

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DISCOVER THE VERY BEST OF MALTA AND ITALY, WITH BELLEAIR HOLIDAYS. Fantastic Malta holidays from £209pp for 7 nights NEW Sorrento, Sardinia, Ischia & Sicily, 7 nights from £409pp NEW Villas, Farmhouses & Apartments - holidays include Free car hire FREE nights. FREE room upgrades and early saver/long stay discounts PRE-ORDER OUR 2015 BROCHURE NOW! www.trade-gate.co.uk AGENT INCENTIVE - 100’s of GIVEAWAYS to celebrate our new brochure launch!

Make a Belleair booking and win a fantastic TAKE ME OUT prize - the more passengers you book, the more points you earn and the bigger the TAKE ME OUT prize. Fab prizes start from a fab £30 cinema voucher right up to a package to Malta for the fantastic Isle of MTV Malta 2015!

LET THE AGENT SEE THE PRIZES! HOW TO ENTER Email your name, each booking reference and your ABTA number to - sales@belleair.co.uk Handy tip - make a group or wedding booking (FREE wedding for groups of 20 or more) for instant, multiple passengers!

Terms and Conditions apply FULL details are on Facebook www.facebook.com/belleairagents

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Call: 0808 102 1943 Email: reservations@belleair.co.uk

10%

Airport Taxis

discount on fares to the airport when you book online WE PICK UP FROM ANYWHERE IN THE REGION Scan the QR code with your phone to add us to your contacts instantly

TO BOOK A TAXI, call 0191 214 6969, Start your holiday or business trip with airport taxis Operating 24 hours a day Airport taxis are the official taxi service for Newcastle international airport and as such are the only taxi company licensed to pick up and drop off our clients under the canopy directly outside the airport entrance, meaning excessive bad weather and carrying numerous items of heavy luggage need not be a problem.

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or if you are in the airport simply come to the Airport taxis office which can be found near domestic arrivals.

PAY NOW www.newcastleairport.com

GET AWAY

New from Newcastle BARBADOS P&O Cruises is flying passengers from Newcastle to Barbados for winter 2015/16 for a 14-night cruise around the Caribbean. www.pocruises.com

DUSSELDORF The bustling German city of Dusseldorf is within striking distance with Germanwings’ daily (except Saturday) flight. www.germanwings.com

RHODES Each Thursday from June 4, easyJet will be taking passengers to the Greek island of Rhodes with its ancient Acropolis and beautiful beaches. www.easyjet.com

BRUSSELS bmi regional flies to Brussels three times a day, opening up a world of onward connections with Brussels Airlines. www.brusselsairlines.com

EXETER Flybe is also running daily flights to Exeter putting Devon’s many attractions within easy reach. www.flybe.com

SANTORINI Also launching this summer is Thomson’s once-a-week flight to crescent-shaped Santorini in the Greek isles. www.thomascook.com

COPENHAGEN Six flights a week with SAS and a larger aircraft means more seats to Copenhagen. www.flysas.com CORFU easyJet has announced flights to the Ionian island of Corfu each Sunday from June 7 where you can laze on beaches backed by pine forests. www.easyjet.com DUBROVNIK Thomson is giving passengers another choice of Croatian destinations with its once-a-week Thursday flights to Dubrovnik starting in May. www.thomson.co.uk www.newcastleairport.com

GENEVA There’s just as much to do in Geneva in summer as during the ski season and easyJet has four flights a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to the lakeside city, starting on June 1. www.easyjet.com

SPLIT easyJet will be flying to Croatia’s second-largest city twice a week, every Tuesday and Saturday, starting on June 2 2015. www.easyjet.com

HURGHADA Thomas Cook flights to Hurghada restart in February (once per week), while Thomson starts flying from November 2015. www.thomascook.com

STANSTED Whether you’re making an onward connection or heading to the South East, Flybe’s up to twice daily flights to Stansted starting in March will make life easier. www.flybe.com

NEW YORK United Airlines will be flying direct to New York Newark Liberty International from Newcastle, five days a week from May 2015. www.united.com

VARNA Thomas Cook has also launched a flight to Varna in Bulgaria each Thursday from the end of May. www.thomascook.com

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IMAGE: Mark Schwettmann / Shutterstock.com

The philosopher Albert Camus once said that “life is the sum of all choices”, and the choice of where to travel has just become a lot more difficult with the addition of more flights direct from Newcastle. While we can’t help you to make all your 2015 decisions, we can help you with your travel choices with our at-a-glance guide to the latest destinations

AIRPORT FASHION

LIBBY WEARS: Vila Viklein dress £44.99 Vila Natalie gilet £41.99 ROWAD WEARS: Burgundy shirt by Duck and Cover £64.99, navy chinos by Jack & Jones £29.99, black belt by Jack & Jones £34.99 and shoes by North Face £109.99 *All from Traveller

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www.newcastleairport.com

AIRPORT FASHION

TRAVEL

instyle Looking good on your travels begins with Traveller at Newcastle International Airport

LIBBY WEARS: Mustard sweater £39.99 and capri pants £59.99 both Joules ROWAD WEARS: Breton-style jumper £44.99 by Selected Homme, navy chinos by Jack & Jones £29.99 and blue shirt by Selected Homme £44.99 *All from Traveller

www.newcastleairport.com

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AIRPORT FASHION

LIBBY WEARS: Black pleated dress by Paper Dolls £44.99, coat by Only £69.99 and Numph bubble purse £9.99 *All from Traveller

ROWAD WEARS: Grey chinos

by Selected Homme £39.99 with blue shirt by Long Island £39.99 *All from Traveller

LIBBY WEARS: Khaki coat by Girls on Film £44.99, leather-look pants by Only £25.99 cream high-neck blouse by Vila £24.99 ROWAD WEARS: Burgundy t-shirt by Only & Sons £11.99, jeans by Bellfield £39.99 pea coat, also Bellfield £79.99, orange bag from Eastpak £64.99 *All from Traveller ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Hair by Michelle Fowler and make-up by Lo Dias of The Beauty Bom, both based at The Arch, Arch 4, Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1 1SA, tel 0191 222 0080, www.thearchnewcastle.com, www.thebeautybom.com. Models Libby Hancock and Rowad Ehlela from Tyne Tees Models, tel 0191 237 3400, www.tyneteesmodels.co.uk. Photographer Kevin Gibson, KG Photography, tel 07710 799 598, www.kgphotography.co.uk.

All clothes and accessories from Traveller at Newcastle International Airport, tel 0191 214 4100. Shot on location at Newcastle International Airport

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www.newcastleairport.com

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www.newcastleairport.com

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AIRPORT FOOD

Food... glorious food!

Liz Hands takes a culinary trip around Newcastle International Airport, trying some of the dishes at a host of new venues If you haven’t flown out of Newcastle International Airport for a little while, you’re in for a tasty treat.

New opening The Cabin has an undeniably high-end feel. With Chesterfield sofas in tan leather, touches of duck-egg blue, £400-a-roll wallpaper and brass reading lamps, the décor is inspired by the Orient Express and the romance of travel.

It’s a little haven in the bustling terminal and it more than fills the gap left with the closure of the Wine & Deli Bar. Sit at the bar and you could almost forget you’re in an airport; except for the fantastic view out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy a glass of prosecco while watching the planes taxiing down the runway.

“It’s an upmarket bar environment with very good quality British food,” sums up Stephen Wafer, operations manager at SSP, the firm responsible for the food offering at Newcastle International Airport.

The fact The Cabin prides itself on homemade, locally sourced produce is obvious as soon as you tuck into one of the sharing platters.

The charcuterie features meat from Dropswell Farm in Trimdon, Teesside.

Slivers of bresaola are peppery and slightly sweet while the pork coppa and tenderloin are equally tender and delicious. Other

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highlights of the soon-to-be extended menu include salt cod croquettes packed with fish, rolled in panko breadcrumbs and served with rocket and zesty lemon mayonnaise.

Take a stroll to another flagship restaurant, The Flying Hippo, and you could have travelled thousands of miles.

While The Cabin combines British bistro-style cooking with dishes which wouldn’t look out of place on a Spanish or Portuguese tapas menu, the Flying Hippo offers a taste of the US with a little bit of Italy thrown into the mix. It has more of a family feel, with a play area for little ones and touchscreen tablets on each table.

A full rack of spare ribs arrives with perfectly smoky barbecue sauce while the slow-cooked Texas beef brisket is melt in the mouth succulent.

For a pre-flight snack, it’s hard to beat the huge nachos portion, which is topped with homemade chilli con queso, guacamole, sour cream and North Carolina-style pulled pork.

The authentic flavours are all down to the Flying Hippo’s smoking ovens; a first in an airport. All the meat, from Manners of Ponteland, is smoked on site.

There are also pizza ovens to make stone-baked pizza to order. www.newcastleairport.com

AIRPORT FOOD

Those smoked meats are also available next door at The Beer House, where travellers can have a pint along with a Geordie Bakers stottie filled with pulled pork, beef brisket, or Dropswell bacon and sausage for breakfast time travellers. Beer from Tyne Bank Brewery is available, along with the likes of Shiehallion, Kozel, Bitter & Twisted and, for those who prefer a G&T, the gin is from the Durham Distillery.

Opening in May 2015, Bar 11 will be the very latest venue at Newcastle International Airport. Although there are many more, the name is taken from “11 reasons why the North East is the greatest place in the world”. “It will be a really great traditional bar, celebrating our sporting legacy, our music, the likes of Sting and Mark Knopfler, the Metro, Ant & Dec, our coastline,” explains Stephen Wafer of SSP. “The bar will be shaped like a Metro car and the menu will be gastro pub classics with a strong focus on local fish.” It’s just another reason to start your holiday earlier, leaving time for a meal at one of the airport’s eateries before catching your flight. www.newcastleairport.com

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BUY & FLY

Buy & fly Discover a world of airport shopping surprises. Travelling from Newcastle International Airport isn’t just about getting away; it’s also got a lot to do with shopping

N

ewcastle International Airport’s new tax and duty free store, World Duty Free opens in May 2015. The ultimate airport shopping experience, the new store offers exceptional choice and value across thousands of products and is part of a £14m departure lounge redevelopment.

Stocking everything from cosmetics to confectionery, fragrances to fashion accessories and spirits to souvenirs, World Duty Free has something for everyone and many of its products are exclusive to the airport.

The store has been thoughtfully designed to make every shopping trip inspirational and stress free. State-of-theart digital technology, vast plasma screens and entertainment areas showcase regular events and activities and make the in-store experience an interactive and exciting one.

The store is bigger, brighter and boasts an extended Beauty Hall stocking hundreds of products from prestigious global names such as Chanel, Dior, Estée Lauder, and Lancôme, to popular contemporary brands such as Smashbox, Benefit, and bareMinerals.

Expert staff are on hand to help customers select the perfect product or treat themselves to free pre-flight express beauty treatments such as a mini-facial, a

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make-up lesson or skin consultation.

Whisky lovers are in for a real treat, as a specialist World of Whiskies store is a key feature within the new space. Stocking a range of more than 300 whiskies from across the globe, the range includes everything from single malts, blends and bourbons to rare and vintage expressions.

World of Whiskies brings the most diverse range of this celebrated spirit to whisky novices and connoisseurs alike.

Specially trained staff share their passion and knowledge with customers.

World Duty Free also offers many free services to make airport shopping simpler.

Its Shop and Collect service, for instance, allows customers to leave purchases securely at the airport and pick them up on their return.

Year-round value means travellers can save at least 20% off fragrances - including the latest launches - and selected perfumes are offered at 40% off (versus UK high street prices).

Spirits can be as much as 30-50% lower in price than the high street, and handbags, watches, and sunglasses are always tax free.

The store’s Worldwide Money Back Guarantee also offers customers complete shopping confidence, as items can be returned free of charge from anywhere in the world within 60 days of purchase.

THIERRY MUGLER ALIEN EAU EXTRAORDINAIRE EDT 60ML A luminous floral fragrance with an incandescent freshness. A delicate fusion of fresh Tunisian neroli and bergamot tea notes enriched with the irresistible notes of tiare flower and the deep notes of white amber. Use this eco refill bottle as a more economical and ecological way to replenish your fragrance.

WDF price: £39.90

www.newcastleairport.com

Biza will be rebranded as World Duty Free in May 2015. See page 45 for more info

BUY & FLY

LANCÔME ABSOLU NUDE PALETTE, TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE A neat and compact palette dedicated to nude essentials.

Contains everything you need to create a radiant complexion, structured eyes and delicate lips.

WDF price: £34.95 VEUVE CLICQUOT YELLOW LABEL TWIN PACK, 2X75CL ‘Only one quality, the finest’.

This is the motto of the House of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, founded in Reims 1772. A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, this cuvée bears the famous ‘Clicquot Yellow’ label, a symbol of excellence recognised throughout the world.

WDF Price: £63.99 CLINIQUE GREAT SKIN STARTS HERE TYPE I II, TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE SET 3-Step Skin Care, customised to give skin exactly what it needs to glow. Contains Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ 125ml, Liquid Facial Soap Mild 30ml, Clarifying Lotion 230ml.

WDF price: £25.50 GLENMORANGIE DORNOCH, TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE, 70CL A single malt whisky with a subtle undercurrent of peat, complemented by sweet smoky apples, rich toffee and dried fruits. Floral notes, enhanced by vanilla and hints of citrus, characterise the finish.

Glenmorangie is Gaelic for “The Glen of Tranquillity” and as its name suggests, Glenmorangie Dornoch was inspired by the area surrounding the Glenmorangie distillery, which is located on the banks of the beautiful Dornoch Firth.

WDF price: £59.99

www.newcastleairport.com

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DEPARTURELOUNGE

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www.newcastleairport.com

DEPARTURE LOUNGE

Lounging around The £14m redevelopment of Newcastle’s departure lounge is a destination in its own right

A

ll the best holidays start at the airport, and with £14m being spent on a major redevelopment, the departure lounge at Newcastle International Airport, with its new shops, bars, and restaurants is the perfect place to commence your travels.

As Newcastle continues its quest to be the most welcoming airport in the UK, the first phase of the redevelopment has brought The Beer House pub, The Flying Hippo American diner, and upmarket bistro The Cabin to the new-look departure lounge.

The new Aspire Lounge is also now available to all travellers regardless of airline or class of travel, offering complimentary snacks, food and drinks in comfort while waiting for your flight.

You can also upgrade to the UK’s first AspirePlus Lounge, which has a relaxing adultsonly area, an enhanced menu, premium drinks

www.newcastleairport.com

package and an exclusive Spey Whisky bar.

The second development phase due to open in May 2015 includes a new walk-through World Duty Free store and the restaurant pub Bar 11.

Curved walkways, seating areas and streamlined shop fronts will reflect a vibrant shopping centre with plenty on offer for everyone, which means you will want to add plenty of pre-flight time to enjoy it.

Existing brands including WHSmith, Boots, Travelex, Dixons Travel, and Traveller will move into improved stores, and a host of new brands will join the airport before the project is finished.

Newcastle International Airport’s chief executive David Laws says: “Our passengers’ holidays start here, it’s very important that we give our customers the best possible experience.”

With more places to eat, shop and relax, it’s definitely worth heading through security with plenty of time to enjoy it all.

FOOD & DRINK Bar 11 The airport’s newest bar opens May 2015 The Cabin High-end bistro and bar overlooking the runway The Flying Hippo Family-friendly restaurant serving a range of locally smoked meats and pizza The Beer House Popular pub serving local beers and fresh stotties Burger King Fast food when you’re in a hurry to catch that plane Upper Crust Grab a sandwich or a latté Cafe Ritazza Great coffee, freshly made food and a relaxing environment Aspire Lounge Snacks, drinks and food all day for an inclusive price SHOPPING World Duty Free Tax-free shopping on perfumes, cosmetics, suncare, wine, spirits, sunglasses, accessories, sweets, toys and travel essentials Accessorize Every kind of accessory imaginable including the Angels collection for the younger fashionista Traveller Fashion-forward clothes and accessories for women and men Dixons travel For all your essential travel gadgets and gizmos Cuba Lily Contemporary and affordable tax-free jewellery Boots For when you’ve forgotten your toothbrush or your insect repellent WHSmith Pick up that bestseller for the beach or a magazine for the flight JD Sports Premium sports brands and exclusive lines BEAUTY Aerospa Start your holiday at the airport with a massage or a manicure ENTERTAINMENT Namco Games Keep the big - and the little - kids entertained with video and arcade games

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CUBA LILY

All that glitters...

Meet the husband and wife team behind North East jewellery firm Cuba Lily

T

here were people coming through this airport three times a week who didn’t know Cuba Lily was here,” says Sarah Lewis.

But since buying the store in June and revamping it, Sarah and her husband Michael have changed all that.

“We saw this little jewellery store which had so much potential and we knew exactly what we wanted; a cleaner, brighter look with more space and a European feel,” says Sarah.

She and Michael took on the three stores in the Cuba Lily group and along with the tax-free shop in the airport, they also have stores in Darlington and Durham.

“The locations and the brands attracted us,” says Sarah. “We’ve always been fond of the airport. We live just minutes away in Darras Hall, Ponteland, so we’re really familiar with it. While other people might use the train, we’re so near we always fly and being part of the £14m departure lounge redevelopment is very exciting.”

Having worked for Pandora before taking on Cuba Lily, Sarah was already in love with the quality of Pandora jewellery.

It’s no surprise that the Danish brand features heavily in the beautiful new-look store. Pandora has also been joined by other designer jewellery brands, all chosen for their affordability, their fashion focus, and their quality.

You’ll now find carefully chosen pieces from Swarovski, Thomas Sabo, Links of London, Nomination and Daisy London,

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and both Sarah and Michael, whose background is in commercial property development, are very hands-on. “We both work on the shop floor,” says Sarah. “With my retail experience, I know how it should be done, and as a consumer, you know what you’re looking for.

“Our staff are trained to a very high level and led by area manager Jan Chambers; we get to know our customers and what they like. Most of our customers are repeat travellers through the airport, so it’s not as if they’re going on holiday and we’ll never see them again.

“We’ve now got a really prestigious store, yet at the same time we’re very welcoming. We don’t want anyone to think ‘that’s precious and we can’t touch it’. The first thing we do is get the jewellery out so that they can see it, touch it and try it on.

“I’d say our typical customer is very brand aware. They know what they want and what they like, they recognise ontrend products, and they’re very savvy shoppers. That’s why we work with brands which are very forward-thinking and our customers dominate what we buy in. We get people who are treating themselves because they want something to wear with their holiday outfits, or they’re looking for a present for someone. We get a lot of businessmen coming to us for gifts because this is their opportunity to sneak a surprise home. At the moment, no one can get enough sparkle, and who can blame them?”

www.newcastleairport.com

AIRPORT NEWS

It’s all happening Newcastle International Airport in the news…

LINKS OF LONDON AURORA CLUSTER NECKLACE High Street £75.00 TAX FREE: £62.50

THOMAS SABO TRIPLE CROSSOVER RING High Street £179.00 TAX FREE: £149.00

SWAROVSKI STARDUST BRACELET High Street £69.00 TAX FREE: £57.50

www.newcastleairport.com

FIRE TRAINING ACADEMY Firefighters from across the globe have dropped in at the new Newcastle International Airport Fire Training Academy over the past 12 months.

Delegates from Lisbon and Faro airports in Portugal have undergone practical and theory training at the £1m state-of-theart facility. Staff from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills have also visited to find out more about the training on offer.

NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK Newcastle International Airport Business Park is expected to create 7,000 jobs and contribute up to £300m to the regional economy.

The office park will comprise three-storey buildings in a parkland setting and provide more than 175,000sqft of Grade A office accommodation.

Ample on-site parking and quick connections into Newcastle mean that Newcastle International Airport Business Park offers an exciting alternative to city centre office accommodation. In addition to offices, there are also 16 hectares of land available for bespoke hanger and warehousing accommodation, providing unique manufacturing and warehousing space with direct airside access.

For enquiries please contact Tim Evans at Knight Frank, tel 0191 594 5006 email tim.evans@knightfrank.com

horizons 47

80TH ANNIVERSARY

Happy birthday!

Newcastle International Airport becomes an octogenarian in 2015, and as our potted history shows, it’s come a very long way in 80 years 1930s The airport is officially opened to the public in 1935 by the Secretary of State for Air Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister. While today £14m is being spent on revamping the departure lounge, in 1935 the entire airport is built for just £35,000 (£1,740,200 in today’s money).

The facilities are basic by modern standards; the airport has a grass runway and pilots are directed to land by lights constructed by filling empty oil drums with oiled rags, which are lit as an aircraft approaches. Clearly, the laws of health and safety have a long way yet to go!

The first scheduled service calling at the airport is a flight between Croydon and Perth, Scotland which carries just eight passengers.

1940s War breaks out in Europe and Newcastle International Airport plays an important role in the defence of the UK as it is requisitioned by the RAF to act as an auxiliary base. Having done its bit for the war effort the airport is handed back in 1946 complete with a brand new air traffic control tower.

1950s Newcastle’s own ‘Mr Airport’, former RAF pilot Jim Denyer, is appointed airport commandant and later becomes airport manager. Denyer, the driving force behind the growth of Newcastle International Airport, retires in 1989 after 37 years’ service.

By 1954 passenger numbers have begun to swell to 5,500 annually, as package holidays to ‘exotic’ locations such as the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight, and the Channel Islands become more affordable. Other destinations include Bovingdon near London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Dusseldorf.

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1960s The swinging sixties bring further development at Newcastle International Airport. Not only is there a new runway and apron built, but work is also undertaken on a new terminal. The building is officially opened

by Prime Minister Harold Wilson in February 1967 and not a moment too soon, as package holidays become big business. Warm weather destinations like Spain experience an influx of British tourists as families head to the Mediterranean in search of sun. The air travel revolution means that by the end of the decade passenger figures are up to 700,000 per year.

1970s Air Force One touches down in 1976, bringing with it US President Jimmy Carter.

People pack the Tarmac to catch a glimpse of the 39th President of the United States on his visit to the region, which starts at Newcastle International Airport. Elsewhere, an ambitious £8m development plan is drawn up which includes an ultra-modern new passenger pier and a glamorous airside departure lounge while the arrival of jet aircraft further boosts the booming package holiday market.

1980s Supersonic transport comes to the airport in the shape of Concorde, which is welcomed to the region in summer 1982 by thousands of cheering spectators.

There is more cause for celebration as Newcastle International Airport hits the 1m passengers per year mark. A new taxiway also means more capacity, which allows the airport to accommodate the fast-growing number of people now travelling the world for work and leisure.

1990s The extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro in 1991 makes it even easier for residents of Tyneside and beyond to access flights from the airport. By 1993 passenger numbers are up to 2m per year and a year later in 1994 a newly extended terminal building is opened by Princess Anne.

2000s Passenger numbers continue to head skywards, reaching a then record breaking 3.9m in 2003. More travellers meant the airport needed more room and in October 2000 Prime Minister Tony Blair opens a new £27m terminal extension which doubles the size of the check-in hall. In 2004 TV stars Ant and Dec open yet another terminal extension, this time to increase the size of the departure lounge.

2007 is a very busy year for the airport as it secures its first ever scheduled long-haul route with Emirates Airlines, flying daily direct from Newcastle to Dubai and opening up a world of onward connections. The same year sees the opening of the airport’s new £8m air traffic control tower; at 45 metres tall more than twice the height of the Angel of the North.

In November 2007 David Laws is appointed the new chief executive. In 2014, with the airport serving almost 4.5m passengers annually, work begins on the £14m departure lounge redevelopment which will bring new bars, restaurants and shops to the airport.

In October 2014 Newcastle International Airport and United Airlines announce the region’s first regularly scheduled service to New York starting in May 2015, opening up North America to travellers from the North East. www.newcastleairport.com

80TH ANNIVERSARY

Time and motion

The Queen - 1960

Air Force One - 1977

Crowds at the airport - 1940s

The old air traffic control tower Newcastle United Fairs Cup team - 1969 Concorde - 1982

The new terminal, which opened in 1967

Former airport manager Jim Denyer US President Jimmy Carter

www.newcastleairport.com

When photographer Jack Fisher created a time-lapse film of Newcastle, it went viral, shared across the world via social media.

Having seen Newcastle in Motion, Newcastle International Airport approached Fisher to create a video showing the hustle and bustle of life in the airport.

“I wanted to capture each stage a passenger goes through when transitioning through the airport,” says Jack. “I filmed all over the airport, spending a long time in air traffic control and behind the runway. The constant comings and goings of planes and the infrastructure designed to unload and service these aircraft proved dynamic subjects.”

Fisher has made his name creating time-lapse films of Newcastle, Bath, and Amsterdam, using photographs shot over many hundreds of hours to create his works. “I’ve been amazed by the response to the films I’ve made,” he says. “I’ve been lucky enough to produce four films that have gone viral and I feel incredibly lucky to be making a living doing something I enjoy so much.”

Jack’s time-lapse film will be premiering in early 2015.

For the latest news on its release visit www.newcastleairport.com

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WIN

WIN! RETURN TICKETS FOR TWO FROM NEWCASTLE TO NEW YORK NEWARK COURTESY OF UNITED AIRLINES United Airlines is offering Horizons readers the chance to win two return economy class tickets, including all taxes, flying nonstop from Newcastle International Airport to New York, Newark Liberty International Airport.* For your chance to win, go to www. newcastleairport.com/win-with-united-airlines and answer the following question:

From which date does the nonstop service from Newcastle to New York commence?

A May 21 2016 B May 23 2015 C December 25 2015

You will also need to enter your full name, email address and postcode. Entries close at 5pm on February 28, 2015. Terms and conditions apply, available on request from enquiries@offstonepublishing.co.uk

*Flights are subject to availability at the time of booking. Flight tickets are valid for travel between May 23 2015 and September 7 2015, excluding half-term and summer holidays.

WIN! A RETURN FLIGHT FOR TWO TO BRUSSELS COURTESY OF BMI REGIONAL bmi regional is offering Horizons readers the chance to win two return flights to Brussels.

Brussels is renowned for its Grand Place and architectural sites including the futuristic Atomium, traditional Flemish houses and its vibrant arts and food districts. The bustling city of Bruges is just a one-hour train connection away.

For your chance to win, answer the following question:

bmi regional is the UK’s most punctual airline. For how many years in a row has bmi regional held this title?

Email your answer, full name, postal address, telephone number and email address to: competitions@offstonepublishing.co.uk Entries close at 5pm on February 28, 2015.

Terms and conditions apply, available on request from enquiries@offstonepublishing.co.uk

*Flights are subject to availability at the time of booking. Flight tickets are valid for travel before October 24 2015.

Prize does not include any transfers or accommodation.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AT NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

Find us on 50 horizons

NCLairport

WIN! A THREE NIGHT STAY FOR TWO AT THE VICTORIA HOTEL, SLIEMA, MALTA COURTESY OF AX HOTELS MALTA AX Hotels Malta is offering Horizons readers the chance to win a three night stay for two in a Superior Room at The Victoria Hotel, Sliema, Malta including daily buffet breakfast, and transfers to and from Malta International Airport to the hotel.

The four-star The Victoria Hotel is located in quiet surroundings in the heart of the fashionable resort of Sliema and its shopping, open-air cafes, restaurants and bars and only 15 minutes drive away from the capital city Valletta and ten minutes from St. Julians.

For your chance to win, answer the following question: In which sea does Malta lie?

Email your answer with your full name, postal address, telephone number and email address, as well as including Newcastle in the subject line, to: reservations.victoria@axhotelsmalta.com Entries close at 5pm on February 28, 2015.

Terms and conditions apply, available on request from enquiries@ offstonepublishing.co.uk *Prize does not include UK airport transfers, flights and airport parking. This prize has no cash value.

Prize is redeemable between November 1 2015 and January 31 2016 – excluding December 24 2015 to January 1 2016.

www.newcastleairport.com

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www.newcastleairport.com

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Next time bring the car!

Holiday parking call us to find out more on 0191 214 4341 or visit www.newcastleairport.com One week from £29.99 • Two weeks from £44.99 Use the code “HORIZON15” when booking to benefit from this deal

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