traveller's checks

Published: 12:00am, 21 Oct 2007

Mandarin occidental

The management of the Mandarin Oriental Munich (left) has completed the renovation of all 48 rooms and 25 suites and given its facade a wash and brush-up.

And its smart new appearance would seem to bear out the claim that the hotel is 'a haven of neo-Renaissance elegance' in the city's most historic locale, the old town, a stroll away from a host of museums, the Bavarian Opera House, theatres and the famous beer hall and gardens known as the Hofbrauhaus. It also stands within Munich's most exclusive area for fine restaurants, designer boutiques, cafes, art galleries and street markets.

On the property are Michelin-starred restaurant Mark's, a rooftop terrace and a heated swimming pool with views over the city and towards the Alps.

All guest rooms feature sleek cherry-wood furniture, with subtle Asian influences reflecting the oriental heritage of the hotel group. The property's two exclusive suites, the Mandarin and the Oriental, now have conservatories, created by developing the original patios. Each suite also contains a variety of striking Asian objets d'art. See www.mandarinoriental.com for more information.

Deal of the week

Two nights in Xian are available for HK$2,990 per person, on a twin-share basis, with Aero International. Accommodation is at the Hyatt Regency (www.hyatt.com), with the Shangri-La Golden Flower (www.shangri-la.com) available for HK$3,050. The Shangri-La Hotel (also www.shangri-la.com) takes the package price to HK$3,090. Transfers are not included. Return economy-class flights are with Dragonair. Call Aero International on 2545 6669 or see www.aerohkg.com for more details.

Cruise control

MSC Cruises is gearing up for Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year by offering competitive packages aboard liners Musica (above) and Orchestra. Its Christmas and New Year fly-cruise deals take guests to the east and west Mediterranean. Early bookings receive a HK$2,000 discount.

A sample Christmas itinerary aboard the Orchestra, with discounted berths costing HK$19,800, begins in Genoa on December 17 and takes in Barcelona, Casablanca, Tenerife, Funchal, Malaga and Civitavecchia (Rome) before returning to the starting point.

The Musica's New Year package, beginning with a December 29 departure from Genoa, costs HK$26,800 and includes stops at Barcelona, Funchal, Tenerife, Arrecife, Malaga and Civitavecchia (Rome), returning to Genoa. Its Lunar New Year excursion, beginning and ending in Genoa, with a January 31 departure, costs HK$17,800 and covers Ajaccio, Valletta, Rhodes, Alexandria, Tripoli, Messina and Naples. See www.msccruises.com for full details.

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