LATEST EVENTS

TripAdvisor: Islamic Arts Museum is top in Malaysia Updated: Thursday September 18, 2014 MYT 7:02:19 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Islamic Arts Museum was named the top museum in Malaysia and 10th in Asia under the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for museums around the globe.

The awards honour top travel spots worldwide based on the millions of reviews received from TripAdvisor travellers to Asia, Europe, South America, South Pacific, the United Kingdom, the United States and Malaysia. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for museums worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

In Malaysia, the Pinang Peranakan Museum, the Baba & Nyonya House Museum in Malacca, Royal Selangor Pewter Factory and Visitor Centre, Petrosains Science Discovery Centre and Sarawak Museum were among the top 10 travellers’ choice museums.“Some of the world’s most significant cultural institutions are represented within the Travellers’ Choice museums, thanks to the feedback shared by millions of travellers around the world,” said chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor, Barbara Messing, in a statement yesterday.Featuring some of the world’s finest art, scientific discoveries and historical events, these world-class attractions offered both educational and enriching experiences, Messing said.

Meanwhile, the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Shaanxi, China; Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima, Japan, were the top three museums in Asia. — Bernama

Penang Durian Fair 01 Jun 2014 – 31 Jul 2014

Durian lovers should not miss the Penang Durian Fair where the King of Fruits is featured as the main item. Savour fresh durians categorised according to grades as well as sumptuous delicacies made from durians. Known as the "King of Fruits" in Southeast Asia, the durian is a large fruit with a green or brown thorny husk. The colour of its flesh ranges from pale yellow to red and possesses a distinctive strong odour and rich taste. Due to the unique landscape and cooling weather in Balik Pulau, home to durian plantations in Penang, Penang-grown durians are considered to be one of the best in the world. Tease your taste buds with different types of durians such as the legendary "Ang He". 'Hor Lor', 'Musang King' and more during the fair at Anjung Indah in Balik Pulau where famous Penang estates exhibit and sell their prized durians.Although it is an acquired taste for the uninitiated, this controversial fruit will win the hearts of those who are brave enough to try!

Venue: 

Anjung Indah, Balik Pulau & Penang Times Square

Organiser: 

Penang Tourism Development & Culture Office

Level 53, KOMTAR, George Town, 10503 Penang

Kuala Lumpur Festival 01 Jul 2014 – 31 Jul 2014

An exciting annual event, the Kuala Lumpur Festival features a colourful line-up of activities and performances. Launched in the year 2006, the event has united Malaysians from all walks of life through the spirit of creativity and solidarity. Phone: +603-26127600 Fax: +603-26935114

1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival 28 Jun 2014 – 01 Sep 2014

Shopaholic alert! One of the three major shopping seasons in the country is back with mega shopping excitement, dining options, endless entertainment and fun-filled activities! Shop, eat and celebrate!

Venue: Throughout Malaysia

Phone: +603-2614 8691

TRAIL: Melaka World Heritage City Celebration by UNESCO 07 Jul 2014

Melaka was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage City in July 2008. The anniversary of this historic occasion is celebrated with a host of cultural activities and an array of delectable traditional cuisine that is unique to the state. As the celebration takes place, the well-preserved heritage buildings, cultural enclaves and local attraction spots will be swarming with tourists for all over the world.

Venue Melaka City Melaka Organiser Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB)

British Airways to return to Kuala Lumpur after 13 year hiatus

British Airways is to resume direct flights from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur in summer 2015.

The daily service from Terminal 5 will be operated by a four-cabin Boeing 777-200ER, featuring 12 seats in First, 48 in Club World, 32 in World Traveller Plus and a further 127 in World Traveller.

Flights begin on May 27th, 2015. British Airways last flew to the Malaysian capital in 2001.

Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ director of business strategy, said: “We have been working to resume flights to Kuala Lumpur for a long time, so it’s wonderful to be back in the heart of Malaysia once again.

“We are re-starting the route in response to commercial demand from our customers who have been asking us for direct British Airways flights to Kuala Lumpur, which opens up new connecting routes around the region.

“A thriving economy offers fantastic opportunities for UK businesses, while holiday-makers can enjoy some stunning destinations around the country and beyond.”

Kuala Lumpur is the world’s largest aviation hub not currently served directly by British Airways, and a major centre for oneworld airlines.

Malaysia itself has strong ties with the UK and a large, rapidly growing economy with a focus on international trade.

British Airways, known then as Imperial Airways, first began flying to Malaysia on December 9th, 1933.

The flight from London Croydon Airport, made 22 stops before eventually reaching Alor Star (now Alor Setar) nine days later.

The airline’s first flight to Kuala Lumpur took off on August 1st, 1956 when BOAC operated a Canadair Argonaut ‘Coronet’ aircraft on the outbound route and a Lockheed Constellation ‘Majestic’ on the return.

The airline has given the route the same flight numbers it previously operated with before 2001.

The BA033 will depart T5 daily at 20:15, arriving into Kuala Lumpur 12 hours 45 minutes, later at 16:00 local time.

The returning BA034 will leave Kuala Lumpur at 23:05 and arrive back into Heathrow’s T5 at 05:25 the next morning.

breakingtravelnews.com