Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The City of Cape Town and the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association have failed to reach agreement on the Tweede Nuwejaar parade,according to a report in the Cape Argus,  the City having appointed an event organiser for the event.  The minstrel association is planning to take the City to court!

*   Team GoodBetterBraai, consisting of Braai Master Jacques Bester and Braai Buddy Nadia Botha, has won Ultimate Braai Master Season 2, beating 14 other teams. (received via media release from the Cooked in Africa production company)

*   The Baltimore Sun recommends Fairview’s Goats do Roam 2012 red blend as a wine to honour the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela, costing $9.

*   British holiday-makers are not choosing international destinations for the festive season this year – they are staying closer to home, travelling mainly within Europe, and using lower cost airlines.

*   Ryanair was named as the UK’s worst short-haul airline, while Guernsey’s Aurigny Airline was voted best.   The best long-haul airline was jointly Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, while the worst long-haul airline was Spanish Iberia.

*   Peter de Wet of Excelsior wine estate in Robertson is featured in ‘Chasing the Vine’ Blog, Best New Wine Blog 2013  in the USA.

*   FlyersRights.com has prepared a Bill of Rights for American  airline passengers, which includes the  rights:following rights:

+   ‘THE RIGHT to a ticket we can understand and rely on, with no hidden fees, at a fair price.

       +   THE RIGHT to be treated well when our flight is canceled or delayed, with reasonable access to available flights on other airlines and advance notice, a refund and compensation when it’s the airline’s fault.

       +   THE RIGHT to airline honesty when it comes to the status of our flights and the reasons for delays and cancellations.

       +   THE RIGHT to a safe aircraft and a well-trained, well-rested crew.

       +   THE RIGHT to get off the tarmac within three hours at the most.

       +  THE RIGHT to have our luggage arrive when we do – or to compensation if it doesn’t.

       +   THE RIGHT to be treated like human beings onboard aircraft, with food and drink and seats and legroom that are safe and comfortable.

        +   THE RIGHT to retain basic constitutional rights of privacy, free speech, travel, due process of law, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure when we enter an airport or board an aircraft’

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com  Twitter: @WhaleCottage

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