Northstar

News Louis Vuitton celebrates with unique service and travel concept TAIPEI – The new Maison at Taipei 101 marks an important milestone for international luxury brand Louis Vuitton's journey in Taiwan. The inauguration also celebrates the House's foundation of travel heritage, innovation and personalised service with a series of product concepts introduced. And among them is the Made For Travel Collection. The Maison will be the first in Taiwan to host a "Travel Room" which is an expert salon dedicated to demonstrate the House's travel heritage and its vision to transform every travel experience into a personal journey. Products embodying the travel spirit, innovative materials, practicality and technology such as in their travel luggage and accessories, are aimed at providing the customised needs for the modern travellers. The opening was officially launched by international celebrity Maggie Cheung, chief executive of Louis Vuitton Yves Carcelle, president of Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific Jean- Baptiste Debains, general manager of Louis Vuitton Taiwan Anita Yang and chairman and president of Taipei 101 Hung-Ming Lin. Events The Road to Mandalay HONG KONG – The sparkling pagodas and saffron cloaked monks of Myanmar can be viewed from the serenity of the Ayeyarwady River onboard the Road To Mandalay as it sails on a series of 12- day Orient-Express 'Gorges of the Far North' cruises in August and September this year. The cruise sees the Road To Mandalay sail 682 nautical miles departing from the storied city of Mandalay up to Bhamo, near the Chinese border and at the foothills of Yunnan, finishing at the spellbinding plain of temples at Bagan. The Road To Mandalay, launched over 17 years ago, is the longest running and most established river cruiser operating on the Ayeyarwady and offers a refined travel experience with facilities including a wellness centre, swimming pool and a variety of lively evening entertainment. With a capacity of 82, the Road To Mandalay is a large and well appointed ship that provides the best vantage point to admire the views of Burmese life from the country's largest and most vital river. The voyage is only possible post rainy season when the river is swollen and water levels are high enough to allow passage through the three dramatic gorges, flanked by vertical cliffs, in the north of the river. Delving deep into the heart of a country largely undiscovered by tourists, the cruise, ideal for Ribbon-cutting ceremony: (left to right) Hung-Ming Lin, Yves Carcelle, Maggie Cheung, Jean- Baptiste Debains and Anita Yang travellers seeking authentic new adventures, incorporates off-the- beaten-track experiences and inimitable glimpses into Burmese life in comfort and style. For further information or to make a booking please visit www. roadtomandalay.net. Events Worldhotels launches first branded hotel in Philippines 8 HONG KONG – Worldhotels, the exclusive collection of independent hotels, has announced its launch of Worldhotel and Residences Makati, scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2013 in Makati Avenue, Metro Manila. Under the solution, Worldhotels provides consultancy, technical support and management services to independent hotels during construction or renovation. "We are pleased to announce that the Worldhotel branding is now extended to the Philippines," said Roland Jegge, Worldhotels vice- president, Asia-Pacific. The first of five branded hotels in Worldhotels' plans for development over the next decade, the deluxe four-star property features 252 guest rooms, including 72 suites, whilst the residences will feature 149 serviced apartments. Facilities include four restaurants and two bars, in addition to a ballroom, gym, spa lounge, massage, meeting rooms and business centre. "The branded hotel solution offers one of the most flexible models in the world for upscale independent properties and hotel groups, enabling them to position themselves internationally in the face of competition from global hospitality brands," added Jegge. Events May 2012 Photo: Worldhotels Photo: Orient – Express Photo: Louis Vuitton

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