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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favorite tales on this weekly e-newsletter.
Bhutan The once-reclusive Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan will turn into far more accessible subsequent month, with the launch of the primary direct flights from Dubai. Beginning on October 28, Drukair, the nationwide provider, will run two flights per week between Dubai and Paro, Bhutan’s solely worldwide airport, which sits at greater than 2,200 metres above sea stage. The airline already has flights to cities in 5 international locations, together with Delhi, Kathmandu and Singapore, however the hyperlink to Dubai, which has onward flights to virtually 280 locations, will considerably increase connectivity. (Only one different airline serves the nation, Bhutan Airways, and it solely has scheduled flights to India, Nepal and Thailand).
Bhutan is at present marking the fiftieth anniversary of the primary vacationers arriving within the nation, however numbers stay properly down on pre-pandemic ranges. Final 12 months there have been 103,066 arrivals (72,659 of which have been from India), a complete the federal government hopes to extend to 300,000. drukair.com.bt
London Buyers and restaurant goers in Covent Backyard will discover an uncommon addition to the piazza subsequent week: a pop-up ski slope full with 7.5 tonnes of actual snow. Skilled skiers, together with Anni Kärävä and Alex Hackel, will compete in a “rail jam” on a slope descending from a platform fastened to the highest of a bus. The occasion, on September 27, is being staged by the outside clothes model Peak Efficiency, to mark the opening of a brand new retailer on Lengthy Acre. It’s free to attend and there are restricted slots accessible for teaching classes with the professionals; ebook at peakperformance.com
Thailand The Capella Bangkok, a lavish five-star lodge overlooking the Chao Phraya river, has been named the very best on this planet. Opened in October 2020 in a modernist new-build block, the lodge has 101 rooms and suites, from round £550 per night time. It took the title final week on the second annual “The World’s 50 Greatest Motels” awards, pushing final 12 months’s winner, Passalacqua on Lake Como, into second spot. theworlds50best.com/accommodations
