Langham opens in London, and the Adriatic by sea plane

Flying boats, seaplanes and amphibious aircraft were once a fairly common sight all over the world. A lack of airports meant that they could provide a useful service to coastal towns and cities lacking such facilities, but as more airports were built, their reliance on good weather, and costly maintenance due to saltwater exposure, spelled their demise. These days, European Coastal Airlines (ECA) is, or at least claims to be, the only carrier still offering scheduled seaplane flights in Europe. Based in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, ECA flies from there to the Adriatic port city of Split, and out across the sea to the popular tourist islands of Hvar and Rab. One-way flights to the islands aboard either a 19-seat DeHavilland Twin Otter (below) or a vintage Grumman Goose cost as little as HK$300 and can take just 10 minutes. Even for travellers with a limited interest in aviation, this would be a spectacular way to explore the beautiful and increasingly popular Dalmatian coast. ECA is reportedly planning to expand its route network early next year, possibly to include regular flights across the Adriatic to Venice, Italy. Flights can be booked in advance at www.ec-air.eu. Air France and Lufthansa will get you from Hong Kong to Zagreb via Paris and Frankfurt, respectively.

Langham hotels have been popping up all over the world since the Great Eagle Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui changed its name to The Langham in 2003. That rebranding came a few years after Great Eagle Holdings bought the Langham Hilton in London, and since changing its name from Great Eagle Hotels International to Langham Hotels International (also in 2003), the company has been trading heavily on the opening year of the London hotel (above), 1865. Its apparently homegrown Wikipedia page even claims that Langham Hotels International was founded in 1865, which is also the name of its guest loyalty programme. The Langham Sydney (the Observatory Hotel until Langham took over in 2012) reopens this month in the Rocks district following a four-month, multimillion-dollar refurbishment. At the time of writing, however, the main page of the hotel's website is still using an old Observatory Hotel photo (below) with "The Langham" superimposed over the entrance while the Rooms section shows only floor plans. A Grand Re-Opening Offer is already available, though, with various extras included with a night's stay, and one choice from a list of "complimentary luxury private experiences". For further details, and perhaps newer images by the time you read this, visit sydney.langhamhotels.com.au.

Nihiwatu is an upmarket resort on the fairly remote Indonesian island of Sumba, about an hour's flight east of Bali (although, for some reason, its website and promotional materials say it's 400 kilometres to the west of Bali). This month the exclusive property has almost doubled its accommodation offerings with the opening of nine villas featuring "a definitive Sumbanese island lifestyle for couples or families and friends". The island has a strong indigenous culture, which is supported by Nihiwatu through its Sumba Foundation, and there's plenty to do and see beyond the sprawling resort, both on and off shore. Most visitors arrive on scheduled flights from Bali, although the resort can organise charter services. You can find out more about the island and the resort at www.nihiwatu.com.