The advent of low-cost, no-frill airlines has seen the demise of many an unappetising inflight meal. While most passengers are happy to go without food on a short-haul flight, some people’s bellies do start complaining on longer flights. It’s not a great idea to starve yourself during a longer journey, so you’ll probably need to eat at some point. However, instead of opting for the unhealthy snacks many airlines offer, why not pack your own healthy and delicious inflight meal instead? Here are some important points to keep in mind when packing your inflight picnic.

See-through containers – Pack your food in transparent plastic containers – like the kind you get from takeaways – so it’s much easier for security staff to see what you’ve brought with you. This way, you won’t need to spend much time opening up all the containers, then repacking them into your bags again.

No liquids – Bring an empty water-bottle with you, and fill it up once you’ve passed the security checkpoints, to save the hassle and expense of having to throw away a full bottle, and then buying a new one. Try to avoid bringing dips with you, as they may be thrown away too, and soups are a definite no-no!

Finger food – Bring along hassle-free food that can be easily eaten straight from the container. Baby carrots, pre-cut fruits (e.g apples or pears), grapes, rice crackers, nuts and granola bars are all healthy, yet fuss free, and you’re left with hardly any mess to clean up after the meal. Sandwiches are great too – cut them into halves or quarters to make it easier for little hands. Cutting your food into bite-sizes pieces also mean you won’t need any cutlery.

No smell – Be considerate to your fellow passengers – after all, you’ll need to share a very tight space with them for the next several hours. Try to refrain from packing foods that may smell strongly or linger in the air for ages. So, no garlic or blue cheese, and try to pop a couple of breath mints after your meal so you won’t smell like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Do you have other tips on how to pack food for flights? If so, we’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment!
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Now that everyone’s mother and twice removed cousin on their father’s side knows about global warming (we hope), ‘travelling green’ has become not only noticed, but really quite fashionable. Here are our destination favourites for the eco-conscious traveller.

Portland, Oregon, USA

Who would have thought the second biggest polluter worldwide could hide an eco-conscious gem like this? Portland is regarded as the most eco-friendly city in the US and one of the ‘greenest’ worldwide, because of it use of renewable energy, efficient transport systems and recycling.

Cape Town, South Africa

This one’s well on it way to becoming one of the world’s ‘green’ cities of the future. The city has adopted a plan to reduce it’s carbon footprint by ensuring 10% of it’s energy use is renewable and 10% of homes are solar powered by 2020.

Costa Rica

This Central American country was named the No.5 ‘greenest’ country in the world. And, surprise surprise, it was voted the happiest for 2009 by the Happy Planet Index. Costa Rica plans to be the world first completely ‘green’ country by 2030 through fossil fuel reduction, hybrid vehicle use and increased tree planting initiatives.

Vancouver, Canada

With about 90% of the city’s energy coming from renewable energy sources, Vancouver is as close to ‘green’ as you can get. Canada’s third largest city uses hydroelectric power, but plans to further reduce it’s carbon footprint by adopting solar, wind and tidal energy. It also continuously ranks as one of the best cities in the world to live in – could there be a connection?

For more info on eco-destinations check out www.treehugger.com

С 24 августа из нового терминала будет выполняться 76 рейсов.

Сегодня, 15 февраля 2010 года «Аэрофлот» продолжил перевод собственных международных рейсов и международных рейсов авиакомпаний-партнеров в терминал D, сообщает Департамент связей с общественностью и государственными органами авиакомпании. К 24 августа 2010 года в терминал D планируется перевести 76 рейсов, выполняемых из терминалов С и F.

С 24 августа 2010 г. по расписанию «Лето 2010» из/в терминала D планируется выполнять 60 международных рейсов Аэрофлота и 16 рейсов авиакомпаний-партнеров по альянсу SkyTeam. Из/в терминала F планируется выполнять 55 международных рейсов ОАО «Аэрофлот».

Ознакомиться с графиком перевода международных рейсов в терминал D можно на сайте авиакомпании Aeroflot.

Новый график – уже третья попытка перевода рейсов из других терминалов. На этот раз график весьма неспешен, что увеличивает вероятность уложиться в срок. И уже летом предоставить пассажирам международных рейсов качественно новые условия.

Zehntausende Menschen besuchten auch heuer wieder den zwei Nächte langen, farbenprächtigen Karnevalsumzug in Rio de Janeiro. Mit dabei auch Paris Hilton oder Superstar Madonna. Klicken Sie sich durch die besten Bilder!

Foto © APA

Mit heißen Rhythmen und aufwendigen Kostümen sind am Dienstag früh die traditionellen Karnevalsumzüge der Sambaschulen von Rio de Janeiro zu Ende gegangen. Die Sambaschule Mocidade Independente hatte für die Parade vor Sonnenaufgang das Thema “Paradiese” gewählt, womit nicht nur das Paradies in der Bibel oder persönliche Wunschvorstellungen, sondern auch Steuerparadiese gemeint waren.

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Die Musiker und Tänzer von Portela, der mit 21 Titeln bisher erfolgreichsten Sambaschule Rios, zeigten mit ihren Kostümen den Wandel der Mode. Eine andere Gruppe stellte die Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft in Brasilien 2014 in den Mittelpunkt – ein tanzender Fußballspieler und eine Samba-Königin mit Fußball-BH inklusive.

Am Dienstag zeigten insgesamt sechs Sambaschulen ihr Können, zuvor waren bereits sechs andere Gruppen durch das Sambodrom gezogen. Alle werden in zehn Kategorien, darunter Kostüme, Themen-Originalität und Rhythmus, bewertet. Die beste Sambaschule soll am Mittwoch bekanntgegeben werden. Zu dem Karnevalsspektakel kamen auch Prominente wie Madonna, US-Hotelerbin Paris Hilton und der Hollywood-Schauspieler Hugh Jackman.

Für Wirbel hatte vor allem der Auftritt eines siebenjährigen Mädchens als Anführerin der Sambagruppe Viradouro gesorgt. Kinderschützer hatten wegen der erotischen Aufmachung von Sambatänzerinnen dagegen protestiert, die Justiz billigte aber den Auftritt von Julia Lira. Am ersten Tag des Umzuges wurde sie allerdings so stark von Fotografen und Kameraleuten bedrängt, dass sie in Tränen ausbrach. Später tanzte sie jedoch weiter.

Valentine’s Day is catching up with us with the unstoppable force of a runaway train, and if you haven’t been organised enough to plan anything for your loved one, then good luck to you. But fret now, we’re here to offer up some last minute suggestions for you stragglers – and your partner won’t even need to know that you only got your act together less than 24 hours before.

Sweets for your sweetheart – Forgo the tackily wrapped chocolate gift boxes and go for some romantically coloured macarons instead. The famous French patisserie Laduree has two branches in London, both supplying salivating customers with copious amounts of their airy jewel-coloured confections. Delight your sweetheart with a carefully wrapped box of sweet nothings nestled in pastel tissue, wrapped up in pistachio-hued boxes. It’s much cheaper than jewellery, and just as fulfilling.

Picnic in the park – If you’re lucky enough to have some February sunshine on Sunday, then make the most of it with a picnic in the park. There are gorgeous parks all over the country, and at this time of year, you’re likely to have most of it to yourself. Wrap up in warm woollens, get a waterproof sheet, and pack a delicious lunch, with plenty of champagne to warm the both of you up.

Surprise hotel breaks – You don’t need to go away to have a romantic hotel break. Many websites offer cheap last-minute deals on hotels, and you can always find some in your very own city. Blindfold your lover and whisk them to your chosen destination in a taxi or hired limousine. Order room service and dine in the hotel’s restaurant to seal the illusion that you’ve really gone away on holiday, even if you’re only 20 minutes from home. The best thing about a hotel stay in your own city? You won’t need to face a long, arduous journey home the next day!