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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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

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.

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.

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!

Galesnjak, Croatia – This little islet may not immediately spring to mind as an ideal spot for romance, but a bird’s eye view of it will clue you in on why it’s one of the most romantic spots on Earth. This drop of land is perfectly heart-shaped, and no one lives on it, so it may just be the perfect desert island getaway you and your lover are looking for.

New York, USA – The harried pace of life in The Big Apple may not seem conducive to romance, but look closely enough, and you’ll find it in every corner. Whether you’re splashing out for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or sharing a hotdog in the rain, you’ll be sure to have many moments to remember.

Prague, Czech Republic – The City of a Hundred Spires is an unashamedly romantic city, its endless cobbled streets and many bridges providing lovers with a beautiful backdrop to an unforgettable affair. Steal a kiss under an ancient spire, or wander through its centuries-old streets hand in hand just like countless other couples have done throughout the ages.

Venice, Italy – Venice and romance go together like, well, like a couple just meant for each other. A gondola ride while the sun sets may be too cheesy for words, but you can always hire a boat and explore the canals yourself. This way, you won’t have a noisy gondolier intruding on your romantic moments. Have dinner at a cosy little family-run restaurant by the water to cap off a wonderful day.

Death Valley, USA – With a name like that, you won’t expect to find many signs of life or greenery in the driest place in America. Summer temperatures have been known to top 56^oC, but that hasn’t stopped hikers from attempting to walk through the valley. If you’re not (fool)hardy enough to do the same, Death Valley also boasts many luxurious resorts scattered throughout its seemingly inhospitable terrain, so you can take in the stunning dessert scenery from the air-conditioned comfort of your room.

Bangkok, Thailand – It may come as a surprise to you to find out that Thailand’s capital has the honour of being named the world’s hottest city. Bangkok is surrounded by lush green farmland, but the constant smog and high humidity raises the average daily temperature to well over 28^oC. For some respite from the heat and notoriously bad traffic snarls, head north to the cooler provinces, such as Chiang Mai.

Dasht-e Lut, Libya – If a name like Death Valley doesn’t scare you, then perhaps the sight of parched, cracked mud will. This plateau in the Libyan desert is said to be the driest spot on earth, and is so hostile to life that not even bacteria is able to survive. The temperature here has exceeded 70^oc in some years, so you’ll need more than a fan to keep cool.

Overview

Skiing
Skiing is divided into two main sectors, with the Markoudjik sector offering the best skiing above the tree line, the highest ski point reaching 8,333ft (2,540m). Borovets has a total of 22 miles (35km) of ski pistes, and has recently installed new lift facilities with lighting and sound systems, which allows for night skiing and snowboarding. The resort also boasts modern snowmaking machines ensuring that conditions stay excellent. Snowboarders enjoy the Rotata half-pipe with a vertical drop of 1,050ft (320m), suitable for advanced riders at its upper end and beginners at the lower end.

Shopping
A burst in popularity as a winter sports wonderland in recent years has meant a boom in the retail industry in pretty Borovets town, as well as an influx of visitors doing holiday shopping. The busy shopping street in front of the Rila hotel is a beehive of open-fronted small shops, with a colourful market atmosphere, selling all sorts of goods from ski gear and souvenirs to cigarettes and cheap CDs. Most visitors find prices here much lower than elsewhere in Europe.

Restaurants
The number of taverns, eat-in pubs, take away joints and outdoor restaurants is growing in Borovets every season and holidaymakers can take full advantage of the dining scene. The choice has become very eclectic, from Kentucky Fried Chicken and pizza to Chinese. Establishments like ‘The Hungry Horse’ cater deliciously for British tastes. Other recommendations are Mamacita’s on the main shopping street where the steaks are legendary, and White Magic, opposite the Samokov Hotel, with good food and a great atmosphere. Visitors should not forget to indulge in some of the Bulgarian fine wines along with their dinner. Eating out in Borovets is also very good value.

Nightlife
Every night is party time in Borovets, which has a reputation for being one of the ‘hotspots’ for nightlife on the European ski circuit and highly popular with holidaymakers. The fun is fuelled by the fact that drinks are cheap, there are long happy hours and sometimes drinks are even offered for free. All the bars, clubs and discos serve the well-known international brands as well as local beers like Astika, Zagorka and Kamenitza. Beware the national drink, Rakia: it is rather strong! Recommended party palaces are Club Slide in the Hotel Mura, the renowned Buzz Bar, favoured by Brits, and the Black Tiger karaoke bar.

Activities
Off the ski slopes Borovets has all the usual amenities of a winter holiday resort, and many hotels offering indoor swimming pools, saunas and gyms. Night skiing is also available from 5pm to 10pm. Visitors can also take excursions to nearby resorts or places of interest, like the Rila Monastery. Ice-skating and skidoos are also an option for chilly fun in the sun.