The new partner network, through its codeshare, will offer greater frequency and easier access to more global destinations with the advantage of connecting baggage to the final destination.

Passengers now can book on Emirates.com, through the Emirates Contact Centres or the travel agents network for all journeys starting from October 29.

“This is an exciting first step in unlocking the benefits of the partnership for passengers who will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique advantages each airline offers as well as greater choice and flexibility when connecting via Dubai. This is just the start and as we expand the partner network in the coming months we will open up more opportunities for our passengers to explore the world,” says HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Group and chairman of flydubai.

When booked together, as part of the codeshare, Emirates passengers will receive complimentary meals and the Emirates checked baggage allowance on flights operated by flydubai in both Business and Economy Classes.

Connecting in Dubai’s aviation hub offers a smooth transfer experience and under the new partnership passengers will benefit from a reduced minimum connection time (MCT) between Emirates’ home in Terminal 3 and flydubai’s in Terminal 2 of 120 minutes.

In this first phase of the partnership, Emirates Skywards members can earn Skywards miles and Skywards Tier Miles on codeshare flights as per the existing Skywards mileage programme.

In addition to the Emirates free checked baggage allowance, Skywards Premium members can also enjoy their extra checked baggage allowances of 20kg (Platinum members), 16kg (Gold members) and 12kg (Silver members) on codeshare flights operated by flydubai.

Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members travelling on codeshare flights can access flydubai’s Business Check-in counters and receive priority tags.

Further benefits for members of each airline’s frequent flyer and loyalty programmes will be announced in due course.

In a nod to SpongeBob’s cheeky style, Tities interpreted the essence of SpongeBob Gold in a 32-look urban collection that combined print and pattern. Comprising both male and female looks, it also wove in a colour palette that transitioned SpongeBob from the bright colours of the ocean, to the glittery lights of the city. The outfits reflected the influence of design cultures in Indonesia – a blend of traditional crafts and global fashion trends – and showed how everyone’s favourite sponge could be a part of daily lives through fashion.

Claire O’Connor, vice president of consumer products and retail marketing, for Viacom International Media Networks, said, “The pairing of a well-loved character and a classic timeless colour, into the concept of SpongeBob Gold, is a mark of how endearing and enduring this global icon is. In particular, this fashion partnership shows SpongeBob’s relevance and how he appeals to audiences of all ages, and across product categories, as he never fails to surprise and delight.”

As part of the SpongeBob Gold campaign in Indonesia, seven popular fashion influencers, nanely Anastasia Siantar, Patricia Devina, Ana Octarina, Cindy Karmoko, Jovi Adhiguna, Sonia Eryka and Alika Islamadina, walked the designer’s runway, and brought a fresh perspective to the fashion show.

This fashion collaboration is part of the SpongeBob Gold international campaign from Nickelodeon, and marks the latest iteration of the concept this year. To-date, SpongeBob Gold fashion activities have been introduced in the United Kingdom (London), Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and now Indonesia. Nickelodeon is celebrating everything that makes SpongeBob one of the most iconic animated characters in the world: his humour, optimism and heart of gold. In Indonesia, the campaign featured teasers on social media and will include another fashion show at the Ciputra World Fashion Week 2017 in Surabaya, and culminate in a SpongeBob Gold photo exhibition in October.

Find out more at http://www.NickPress.com or http://www.Nick-Asia.com.

The platform is an extension of Ground Asia, which specialises in creating and operating development trips in Asia for institutions such as schools, colleges and universities. Young travellers can choose to come alone, or with couples and groups of friends and book online from options in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bali and Jogjakarta in Indonesia.

The GroundRocks programmes run for 18 days and are designed as transformational experiences for both the traveller and the host community. The local community benefits from projects such as school construction and maintenance, English lessons and agricultural work. The process builds leadership values, resiliency and cross-cultural understanding on both sides.

“Our journeys are developed with the objective of transforming young travellers through hands-on, positive experiences in Southeast Asia,” says Jack Bartholomew, the Vietnam-based general manager. Bartholomew is attending the World Youth and Student Travel Conference in Montreal this week, where the new platform will be unveiled and promoted.

The price of each 18-day trip varies from US$1,000 (Bt34,000) to $1312, including supervised community work, sightseeing, meals, and home-stay accommodation. Each trip is a structured balance of community work, organised days of cultural sightseeing and hiking to local nature attractions with a few days off as leisure included.

Each participant receives a certificate of participation at the end and has the option of joining flexible, guided extension trips. These are priced at $640 t$750 per person for eight days, with cheaper prices for shorter trips. Activities typically include hiking, sightseeing, snorkelling, bicycle rides and the like, and are more akin to a standard backpacker experience.

Both the 18-day community trips and the leisure extension trips run on guaranteed fixed departure dates, which are clearly shown on the website.

“GrondRocks.com makes it easy for young people wishing to spend time in Southeast Asia and give something back at the same time,” said Bartholomew. “The new website allows young people – or their parents – to book no matter where they are in the world. We make community-based trips in Asia simple and stress free.”

Start the trip in the capital city

Make Colombo your quick introduction to Sri Lanka. This port city offers a variety of experiences ranging from a spiritual break in the temples, exploration of culture in the museums, taking the vantage point from rooftop bars to a wide range of markets and retail options. The local team at OZO Colombo recommends a late morning visit to Pettah Market to enjoy he energy of the historic streets crammed with fresh fruit, daily supplies and fabrics. This bustling area provides an adrenaline filled discovery through the city’s busiest neighbourhood. The dynamic arrangement of heritage buildings, makeshift stores and generations-old shops is like a living museum, offering authentic insights into the local lifestyle and culture, as well as providing a unique backdrop for your photo gallery.

Take a scenic train ride

The three-hour train journey connecting Sri Lanka’s capital to Kandy, the cool city located in the inland hills, is a scenic delight. This train ride is not just a mode of transportation to OZO Kandy, but the highlight of the visit itself. The train leaves from the coastal lowlands and chugs up through the hill country past rolling and lush green rice fields, local communities, forests, gurgling rivers and tea plantations. All scenes provide snapshots of Sri Lanka’s dramatic scenic contrasts. For the best views, locals recommend sitting on the right side of the train while en route to Kandy.

Explore the birthplace of Ceylon tea

Crucial to the nation’s economy, Ceylon tea is renowned worldwide and has an interesting 150-year history that can be traced back to the period of the British Empire. The first successful experiments in tea cultivation were made and the first tea plantations were established in Kandy, making the city a great destination for tea lovers. To learn about the production of tea, marvel at the old machinery, and taste the various blends, the team at OZO Kandy suggest a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum, located three kilometres from the hotel, or a venture into the countryside to the Geragama Tea Estate.

Wander through time in a beautifully preserved colonial towns

Be transported back to colonial times at Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the largest remaining European fortress in Asia. The fort was first built by the Portuguese in the 1500s and later fortified by the Dutch. Wander around impressive monuments and museums from Dutch Reformed Church to the iconic Galle Light House. Today the fort is no less vibrant with chic boutiques, cafes and galleries. Destination Amari, a local guide prepared by the team at Amari Galle, recommends Stick No Bills, a poster gallery featuring a rare variety of vintage movie posters as well as retro postcards depicting the vibrant colours of Sri Lanka.

Lounge around the beach

Sri Lanka is well known for its beaches. For beach enthusiasts, seeking a day at a beachfront retreat in Galle is recommended. From Amari Galle, which offers an expansive beach-facing pool and guaranteed sea views from every room and suite, take a tuk-tuk ride to the shores of nearby Unawatuna and get active with watersports such as diving, fishing and boating. To laze the day away, head to the stunning, intimate and isolated Jungle Beach to take a dip in the Indian Ocean. No trip to Galle would be complete without checking out the traditional stilt fishermen at the Ahangama and Koggala Coasts, the best places to catch this centuries-old activity in full action.

Until December 31 OZO Colombo and OZO Kandy are offering 15-percent off on room rates when booking a minimum stay of three consecutive nights. Get 15per-cent off when booking at least 45 days in advance or 10-per-cent off when booking at least 14 days in advance, along with free early check-in for stays until December 31. For details, visit http://www.Onyx-Hospitality.com.

The event features a two-day discussion forum on December 9 and 10 and the first retrospective exhibition of internationally acclaimed textile artist Junichi Arai from December 11 to February 28.

The 2017 discussion forum will be titled “Fabpublic – Talking about Textile, Community and Public Space”. Internationally renowned artists, designers, textile specialists, curators, scholars and cultural practitioners from a wide range of disciplines and expertise will gather in Hong Kong to discuss the role of the community within contemporary living, exploring the value and impact that textiles, and their related production, can bring to traditional “brick and mortar” neighbourhoods. Speakers will also engage in and learn about the challenges in energising and reactivating communities through art and textiles

Keynote speakers include Spanish designer Alvaro Catalan de Ocon, founder of PET Lamp, an upcycling anthropological project accentuating preservation of craft knowledge and tradition; and Dutch designer Petra Blaisse, founder of Inside Outside, who works at the intersection of architecture, interior design, textiles and urban landscaping, including collaborations with Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Piper Auditorium Harvard University and Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

The discussion forum will take place at Lu Guan Qiu Lecture Theatre inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. It will be conducted in English. Seats are limited and registration must be completed by November 28.

The second part is the first retrospective exhibition of the textile Japanese master Junichi Arai (1932 – 2017) in Hong Kong. Titled “Self-Organisation: Junichi Arai’s Textile Anthology”, this is dedicated to honouring and presenting Arai’s lifelong efforts and achievements. The venue is the Fashion Gallery at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Deploying traditional textile-making techniques into experimental production processes, Arai is known for creating pieces that combine contemporary Western technologies with Eastern methodologies. The quality of Arai’s avant-garde craftsmanship has been recognised and led to significant collaborations with Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons) among others.

Find out more at www.Mill6.org.hk.

Part of the annual Gourmet 1010 showcase, guests can enjoy signature flavours from India, Italy, Japan and Europe through an epicurean grand tour of four-course set menus that include masala partridge and haryali sea bream at Armani/Amal, zesty marinated mackerel and braised veal belly courtesy of Armani/Ristorante, Armani/Hashi’s Chilean seabass with ginger and shishito, and a spectacular chocolate wasabi delight dessert as well as chestnut and taleggio mantecato risotto and beef tartar with black truffle at Armani/Deli. The set menu is priced at AED 350 (Bt3,180) per person.

This month too, Armani/Mediterraneo joins China’s National Day celebration with a banquet of traditional dishes fused with international flavours. The menu includes Szechuan chicken with asparagus, Peking duck, chicken noodle soup, delicious dim sum, green tea cheesecake and traditional Chinese cookies. It’s available until October 8 at AED 280 per person.

Over at Armani/Ristorante, meanwhile, resident chef Alessandro Salvatico will conduct a monthly series of half-day master classes. Guests can learn how to cook a citrus-inspired menu of regional classics featuring mackerel, risotto and braised veal belly paired with various zesty flavours. The class is available on October 21 and priced at AED 600 per person or AED 1,000 per couple, including three-course lunch.

The resort pays homage to the Italian alpine region of Piemonte in November with a hearty trio of dishes including anchovies in green sauce, cheese fondue and braised Barolo beef, while the festive menu rounds out the year with classic shrimp and ricotta appetiser, oyster and sea urchin risotto and grilled Angus beef tagliata.

Afternoon tea follows high fashion at Armani/Lounge also in November with a menu straight from the culinary catwalk. Take a front row seat for a stylish three-tiered sweet and savory collection of haute couture-inspired patisserie creations including a dark chocolate and raspberry shoe, hazelnut gianduja purse and passion fruit with white chocolate mousse hat.

Guests can also enjoy an elegant selection of finger sandwiches, homemade cakes and classic scones served with homemade preserves and clotted cream. The afternoon tea set costs AED 170 per person or AED 300 per couple.

Earth:

Treehotel – Harads, Sweden

Embrace pure wilderness and stay sky high in this property, which offers a unique and stylish stay amongst the trees of Harad’s forests in Sweden. Blending cutting edge architecture and design with home comforts, it boasts eco-friendly rooms as well as a sauna and a hot tub.

Traveller’s Cave Hotel – Goreme, Turkey

Located on a hilltop in Goreme, this incredible hotel boasts amazing views where guests can watch the sunrise, sunset or hot air balloons float overhead. The unique rooms are carved into the volcanic rocks of Cappadocia, which is registered by Unesco. Make the most of your stay and arrange a hot air balloon ride, try traditional Turkish cuisine and explore the town using the hotels rental bikes.

Water:

Hurawalhi Island Resort – Kuredu, Maldives

This luxury resort will be one guests never forget, thanks to the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, the world’s largest all glass underwater restaurant, serving delicious cuisine. Travellers are completely surrounded by water on this paradise island – and the resort also has an outdoor pool and spa centre and is just one-minute’s walk to the beach where they can try out snorkelling and windsurfing.

Xandari Riverscapes – Alleppey, India

A houseboat is the only way to experience the beauty of the backwaters in South India. Join the River Escapes captain and crew as it sails along Vembanad and Alleppey Lake, where guests can relax on the balcony overlooking the serene waters before tucking into delicious Keralan cuisine.

Air:

Vliegtuigsuite Teuge – Teuge, Netherlands

What better way to capture that up-in-the air feeling than staying in an actual aeroplane. This unique aeroplane suite has a fully equipped cockpit and boasts a luxurious bathroom with sauna. The raised terrace overlooks Teuge airport’s runway and guests can enjoy breakfast served in the suite each morning before hiring a car to explore the nearby area.

Muotka Igloos – Saariselka, Finland

There’s nothing quite like the ice-cold air of Finland to make you feel truly refreshed. Located in Saariselka, a stay in Muotka Igloos means guests get a chance to watch the iconic Northern Lights from the comfort of their own bedroom. Each heated cottage features a glass-dome ceiling, and private sauna and there is also a main restaurant and terrace. There are tons of activities to be enjoyed here – from skiing to snowmobiling and hiking.

The Windmill – Yorkshire, United Kingdom

If you’re looking for a unique stay then a trip to The Windmill is a must. Stay in the heart of Scarborough in a charming grade two-listed 18th-century windmill, nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac less than five minutes’ walk from the town centre. Wake up to daily, fresh English breakfasts served in the dining room and take a short stroll to the Scarborough Spa, Peasholm Park or the Scarborough Castle.

Fire:

Volcano Village Lodge – Hawaii, USA

A short drive away from Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii is the lovely Volcano Villa lodge, which is surrounded by rainforests and features a hot tub, garden waterfalls and koi ponds to really make you feel at one with nature. The main attraction, Kilauea Volcano is only 15-minute drive away.

Hotel The Volcan Lanzarote – Playa Blanca, Lanzarote

The Volcan Lanzarote is just a short drive from the volcanic Timanfa National Park, one of the Canary Islands’ most popular tourist attractions and home to many colourful dormant volcanoes, known as Fire Mountains. Temperatures a few metres below the surface reach between 400 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees. To cool off, guests can make use of the hotel’s outdoor pool or the nearby beach.

Former French Open finalist Simona Halep will be joining them and five other elite tennis players looking to cap off the season with a prestigious victory.

Completing the top eight in the rankings are Karolina Pliskova, Elena Svitolina, Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Ostapenko and Johanna Konta.

From the Porsche Race to the Singapore leaderboard, players all over the world have to compete to garner ranking points at the four Grand Slams and 53 WTA tournaments in 31 countries throughout the year before earning the coveted spot at the final.

This is where you can witness significant milestones and hard-hitting action.

Visitors to the WTA Finals will also be treated to top live entertainment and fun activities off-court. Travel back to the ’90s boy-band era with a performance by the Backstreet Boys – a one-night-only Asia exclusive – on October 21.

The full two-hour concert will be filled with hits including “I Want It that Way”, “Everybody”, “As Long as You Love Me” and “Shape of My Heart” by history’s best-selling boy band.

In the Fan Village, visitors can meet their favourite players and engage in tennis-theme activities at various booths. They also get an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the best in women tennis at a one-night-only Gala.

Find out more at www.WTAFinals.com.

The city state is home to a range of restaurants from Michelin-starred eateries to Bib Gourmand-listed street food.

Behind the mouth-watering dishes are the inspiring stories of chefs and food entrepreneurs. Among the stars are Douglas Ng, 26, who set up his fishball noodle shop at a Hawker Centre in 2014 and two years later earned a place in the Michelin Bib Gourmand Guide. The handmade fishballs are visibly chunkier and denser than commercially produced variants, as they are made with 100 per cent yellowtail meat, with no flour added.

Douglas’ grandmother’s handmade fishballs ignited his passion for spreading the fishball story, to share what real fishballs should taste like. And he chose to open his “Fishball Story” in a food centre because he wants to protect the hawker culture, which he says is now dying.

The owner of Michelin-starred restaurant chef Kang’s on Little’s India’s Mackenzie Road, Ang Song Kang battled cancer and weathered bankruptcy before his true passion for Chinese food and his responsibility to his family motivated him to open Chef Kang’s in 2015 which won its first Michelin star two years after that.

Initially, his shop had only four tables, which gave him the opportunity to come out and talk to each customer to gain their feedback, which he used to develop and improve his menu and dishes. Another Singaporean chef Haikal Johari made his name working as executive chef of Water Library Hospitality Group.

He was responsible for creating new menus for some new outlets in the group. In fact, chef Haikal has extensive international experience working in a variety of prestigious restaurants, many of which are Michelin-starred restaurants. He had also received many awards attesting to his gastronomic excellence.

When a motorbike accident in 2015 left him paralysed from the shoulders down, he had to go back to Singapore for treatment. However, his love and passion for food is the biggest motivation for going into work daily while regularly attending physiotherapy sessions.

Asia’s renowned pastry chef Janice Wong is the founder and owner of 2am:dessertbar. Her passion in culinary art is the driving force that helps her push through the boundaries of dessert making. Graduated with a pastry diploma in 2006, the native Singaporean has learned from some of the world’s best chefs.

In 2011, she fashioned amazing edible art installations that completely transformed the studio space, with edible items as her only tools. She has since been commissioned by galleries, restaurants and clients both locally and overseas to craft interactive art for various occasions.

The added flight to Osaka will start operation on December 1 with a promotional all-in fare starting at Bt3,990 one way.

Nadda Buranasiri, chief operation officer Thai AirAsia X, noted that the year-end period into the first quarter of each year is a major opportunity for travel both for Thai tourists looking to visit Japan and travellers from Japan to Thailand.

“Thai AirAsia X stepped up its marketing and promotion in the Japanese market this year, both in Tokyo and Osaka, and established itself as an economical way to travel to Thailand whether for tourism or business. Initially, most passengers on our Thailand to Japan routes were Thai citizens but we expect to increase the ratio of Japanese and foreign passengers on the flights next year,” said Nadda.

The new flight will depart Don Mueang International Airport at 1.15am and will arrive Osaka at 8.40am daily. The promotional fare is available for booking from now until September 24.

Thai AirAsia X (code XJ) is a low-fare long-haul carrier operating Airbus A330 planes featuring a total of 377 seats comprising 12 Premium Flatbed Seats and 365 Economy Class Seats.

For details and bookings, visit http://www.AirAsia.com.