Etihad to invest in Jat Airways?

Yesterday saw the announcement by Etihad Airways, national airline of the United Arab Emirates, of a potential investment in struggling Serbian carrier Jat Airways.

Following the launch of Etihad’s daily service to Belgrade which allows Jat Airways to put its JU airline code on the Etihad flight will connect passengers in Serbia with a number of worldwide destinations, including Australia, Asia and the Middle East.

 

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, and Velibor Vukasinovic, JatAirways’ Chief Executive Officer, celebrate the signing of an Initial Memorandum of Understanding (IMU) in Belgrade 

Australia is renowned for its sunshine and relaxed way of life and sport plays a huge part of this.

Whether it’s learning to surf on one of Australia’s many beaches, taking in the atmosphere at the Melbourne Cup or enjoying some exciting Aussie rules football, sport plays an important role in Australian society.

Every November, Melbourne plays host to one of the most exhilarating sporting events, the infamous Melbourne Cup. Attracting all sorts including worldwide celebrities, the Melbourne Cup is not just a sporting event, it’s the place to be seen in Melbourne. 2012 saw the likes of Mischa Barton, Delta Goodrem and Prince Charles attend the annual gathering, adding to the excitement around the event. And this years, cup is set to be even more exciting. The 153^rd Melbourne Cup Carnival winner is set to bag yet another extravagant prize. With just a few weeks to go until entries for the race close, up to 400 horses are expected to be nominated for the event. Off the track though, the atmosphere is truly electric.

No matter which option of hospitality you choose, whether it be access to the village, track side viewing or a giant marquee, the week is always magical. This year’s main event will be held on Tuesday 5^th November and will be held once again by Emirates, one of the largest airlines in the world. As part of the special occasion, Emirates will be flying the iconic 18 carat gold Melbourne Cup around Australasia including Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Hobart and taking in community events and cocktail parties.

Held at Flemington Race Course, just north-west of the city centre, the 2013 Melbourne Cup will once again attract visitors from far and wide, both in Australia and internationally. Booking packages to the event is easy, although book early has hotels can get busy very quickly.

A taste of Istanbul

Located at the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea lies the beautiful country of Turkey, famous for its rich cultural heritage, striking scenery, the Blue Mosque and of course, Turkish Baths. But fly to Istanbul, the country’s largest city and you will find a wealth of attractions and events to entertain you.

Despite not being Turkey’s capital city, Istanbul does boast over 13 million citizens, making it the largest in the country. It also sits on one of the world’s busiest waterways between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara which was an important historical trade route.

Made up of 39 districts, each offers an insight into Istanbul’s long history, such as Yali which plays host to a wealth of luxury houses and mansions.

Hagia Sophia - Courtesy of wikipedia.org

The architecture in Istanbul is what really sets the city apart from others. The Hagia Sophia is the perfect example of such exquisite architecture. Once a church, then a mosque and now a museum, the Hagia Sophia was built in 537 and stands proudly in the heart of the city centre.

If it’s the local cuisine you have come to taste, being a seaside city means Istanbul offers countless delicious seafood restaurants along it’s coastline. Poseidon, is a must for seafood lovers with its exquisite cuisine and beautiful views across the bay, Poseidon is a favourite amongst both locals and visitors.

What are your recommendations for this impressive city?