Air Berlin and BA to Codeshare

British Airways and airberlin (AB) have announced they will start codesharing on more than 40 flights across some key European markets, first date of travel for the new codeshare flights will be 5 July 2011.

The collaboration between the airlines precedes airberlin’s entry into oneworld® in April 2012 which is being sponsored by British Airways.

You will see London Gatwick to Nuremburg added to the network while airberlin customers will now be able to fly direct from a number of German cities into London Heathrow, a critical hub for business travel around the world.

The codeshare partnership will also apply to domestic travel within each carrier's home market, opening up a host of transfer possibilities.

airberlin is the second largest carrier in Germany, operating from its main hubs of Berlin, Dusseldorf and Palma, offering a single class service within Europe and business class on their longhaul services.

Hilton Stockholm Slussen

Within walking distance to Stockholm’s main tourist attractions including the Old Town, royal castle and Djurgårdens Park's museums and zoo, the Hilton Stockholm Slussen hotel is the perfect location for relaxation, shopping and cultural attractions in Stockholm, and is 100% non smoking.

Start the day with breakfast in the Panorama Restaurant, sip cocktails at Eken and indulge in fine dining at Eken Matsal. Situated a short distance from the Arlanda Express, this Stockholm hotel provides an easy link between the city center and the Arlanda Airport.

Standard guest rooms are modern 16m²/172sq.ft room with stylish Swedish décor, with ergonomic chair and desk and marble bathrooms. All hotel rooms have wireless internet access. Step up to a Deluxe Room for city views or Executive Room for Executive Lounge access.

The environmentally friendly Hilton Stockholm Slussen is Swan certified and the 1st hotel in Sweden to eco-label its buffet breakfast in line with Swedish KRAV eco-labelling standards, ensuring sustainable fishing.

Hilton Stockholm Slussen - on Tripadvisor.com

SoCa Restaurant - Sitges

International dining is becoming more common place, just because your in Spain doesn't mean you have to stay with tradition, despite Chinese, Indian or Arab food being available, each country still has it's own variation on the theme.

Tonight, southern California food is the choice as I prepare to dine at SoCa Restaurant and Bar in Sitges Spain. I've passed it on many occasions and it always seems to draw a crowd. When traveling it's better to go places where people are eating, as this means the food is good and most likely fresh too.

It has a appropriate surf and Californian images hung on the walls, one wall having exposed stone, the opposite minimalist white clean. Wooden floors make it feel more organic, while dining at dark wooden tables with chairs of white and red only. On the menu is a selection of typical dishes of nachos, fajitas, tacos, grills and more. Maybe too much and not defined enough, it does offer enough to please more than just a few.

I've ordered scallops grilled with mango and borracho (meaning drunk - made with wine, it's a play on words) sauce. While the presentation was impressive, at first felt there might have been too many flavours for a delicate meat of scallops, but after finishing my plate find it tingle my taste buds. This is just the starter.

As a main I've stuck to the theme of the sea, after all, Sitges is a coastal town. Battered langoustines in three sauces, each to deliver a different flavour. One of mango purée, cool and sweet. Another of honey and mustard, adding sweetness and something slightly sharp. Finally tamarind, a south American fruit purée, tastes like a semi-sweet balsamic, making a unique combination to break the batter which seems to kill the taste of the langoustine. But the flavours work, after a few, taste buds are dancing with each new drizzle and combination.

This isn't 5 star dining but the service has been personal and good and the meal has been fun with a play on flavours.

Galeon Pavillon Hotel - Sitges

I've stayed at the Galeon Hotel on several occasions over the years, returning to improvement after improvement. It has really come a long way from the no frills hotel it used to be.

As standard, all rooms have been updated with a stylish design and comfy beds, a mini fridge to put bottled water or anything you choose, all with tv and air conditioning. Rated just three stars, it does offer some services found in more upscale hotels, like a pillow service, should you need to want something specific like a hard or soft pillow. For a small deposit, beach towels and parasol are available, saving packing space to travel lighter, or use the space for other necessities.

On this occasion I'm in the Galeon Pavillon, situated in another building just minutes from it's parent. These rooms are considered superior with wooden floors, balcony, upgraded bathroom and shower units. I'm especially impressed with the long large mirror that faces the bed, it gives the illusion of doubling the size of the room.

The Galeon Pavillon tries to be more exclusive by separating it from the main building, it also offers a rooftop terrace and jacuzzi. In-room services include coffee and tea selections and kettle.

Regardless of which building you stay in, breakfast is in the same place, Galeon Hotel, one of the best selections I've seen anywhere, served till noon - it's the latest breakfast bar I know. With the reputation of it's late nights in Sitges, late breakfasts are very much appreciated.

Hotel Platjador - Sitges

On the seafront, metres away from the town centre is the three star Platjador Hotel. Even if your not staying here the rooftop bar is open day and night, and has excellent rooftop views of the surrounding area while enjoying a sparkling glass of Cava in the open air.


While the small waves roll onto the beach and people dip in to cool off, the distant Sitges cathedral and the colourful painted buildings facing the sea, palm tree lined seafront, it's perfectly positioned.


Located on the fifth floor with a glass partitioned wall for unobstructed views down below. Best of all, it's still very much an unknown place away from the crowds. At least for now.

SAS Business Lounge - Arlanda Airport

The SAS Business Lounge Arlanda Airport Stockholm is a good alternative, with drinks, snacks, light meals. You know it's good when you enter a lounge and find a row of iMacs on hand to get you online. Of course wifi is also included so you can do business on the go.

Lounge access means your away from the shops so there leaves little temptation to spend. I've been spoiled by being invited by a Star Alliance Gold Member who travels like this always, it's a way to remove oneself from the cattle class - membership has it's privileges, but I'm a long way from joining the club.

First Class Lounge, Heathrow 5

Exclusive to British Airways, the first class lounge, Galleries, Heathrow terminal 5. Champaign bar is one of many options available for the fast track passenger, including a dedicated wine bar, spirits bar, snacks, coffee and tea, breakfast buffet and even food made to order.

It may be only 10am but the joys for finishing a breakfast and moving on to the champaign bar really is a good start to any journey. Pleasures like these can only make future travels in coach or economy less pleasant, though if ever the opportunity arrises one can never lose the chance to indulge in what some have as a regular experience.

I have a passion for travel but don't have enough points or miles to get the Gold access to these lounges. Often its the back end that my seat is allocated with only one upgrade ever (thanks Quantas Airlines).

On this occasion I'm invited by a BA Gold Member to the exclusive fist class lounge, different from the business lounge but not elite enough for the Concord Room.

I'm working on it.

London Bike Hire

Launched on 30 July 2010, the Barclays Cycle Hire soon became a great success on London roads. Like anything British there were bumps in the beginning, but now almost a year on, the scheme continues to prove popular.

I enrolled for an annual membership, allowing me to take as many 30 minute journeys for free. Though if you go above the time slot then additional fees apply. There is some distance you can cover in that time, and should you need it longer just dock the bike for 5 minutes, and then begin your journey again without facing extra costs.

This was long overdue in London, other cities were already ahead of the game. Paris, Barcelona, Montreal, Seville all had this up and running a few years, so at least London had a chance to see how it worked elsewhere first.

Though referred to as Boris Bikes, it was not him that actually initiated the program, but he was fortunate to be mayor at the time of the launch, it was a fitting image for the city of London, the mayor was known for using his own bike to get to work long before the program ever existed.

The problem is that though the bike hire has proved very popular, London hasn't really adapted it's roads to make it a friendly place to ride. Excess traffic, cars, trucks, buses hog the roads, and even after a few deaths involving cyclists very little has been done to change this.

The program promotes a healthy alternative to public transport, but when you consider London's air quality levels, the worst in Europe, it's just proof little has been done to combat pollution. It's a concern for city officials, with London hosting the 2012 Olympics, there is nothing that can be done to fix this in a short timespan. For cyclists, it means inhaling car exhaust and other toxins. These issues are being faced by almost every large urban city.

The bike hire is a good direction and a great option. It's open to all, resident or visitor. If you can stay along designated bike routes, its a great way to get around.

Tip: remember this is London, it's the left side to stay on.