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Congratulations and many thanks to the Etnique team for the most interesting and informative newsletter, ETCETERA. I specifically enjoyed the narrative article on the Shakespeare and Company in Paris in the August edition.
Jenny van Rensburg - Central University of Technology Free State

Recent FEEDBACK from our CUSTOMERS

Hey Tessa
THANK YOU again for all your arrangements for my trip to the UK. And also for the phone calls to make sure I am ready for my overseas trip, the sms’ to make sure I am fine once there and again the phone call to check if I am back safe. Your SUCH an angel! It is all MUCH APPRECIATED!
Warm regards
Dr Marietjie Oelofse – UFS Bloemfontein

More Melanie
Dankie vir jou moeite wat jy met ons besprekings en die hele samestelling van die reis gedoen het.
Dis met een woord FANTASTIES !
Ons het die hele wêreld al getoer maar dit is n eerste keer dat ons dit so volledig ontvang.
Kan sien dit kom van uit jou hart en jy hou waarvan jy doen!
Love it - Ons almal waardeer
Dankie
Connie van Rensburg – Umhlanga Rocks

Dear Tessa
Safely back from my three-week academic visit to the Netherlands, I would like to thank you once again for all your professional assistance in making my visit a memorable experience. All went well with the paper I delivered at a military history conference, as well as with research I did at several archives and libraries. It was good to know that at any time I could rely on your assistance should I need to return earlier. The extra mile that you walked with all my many enquiries is sincerely appreciated. It is a privilege to work with someone who genuinely understands what professionalism really means.
Much appreciated
Prof André Wessels – Department of History, UFS

Hello Tessa 
Just wanted to say thanx one more time for the wonderfull opportunity that OFM gave us to attend the Tour de France this year.
Its been AWESOME!!!!!!  And we loved every minute of it.  Unfortunately I couldn't even take a photo - they passed us in a blurrrr every time, I ended up with lots of photo's of the paving on the Champs Islees!  We sat until they had to remove us to pack up the chair covers etc.!  Didn't want the day to end!
My husband is so motivated now.  He bought a cycle just like Contador's (Specialized S-Works) and even the yellow jersey.  Plans to do the OFM Classic in under 4 hours this year, so keep an eye out for him.
Tessa's plans and arrangements worked out perfectly from the very first step we took to get on the plane.  Her detailed book in which she explained EVERYTHING, was really a life saver!  I will never travel without her encyclopedia's again!  The hop-on, hop off idea has also been great - and from time to time I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't only dreaming and that I really was in PARIS!!!! 
Thanx so much Tessa for all your help in planning the perfect, tailor-made trip for us.  And thanx OFM for making our dreams come true and offering us the chance of a lifetime!  (I've almost been killed 67 times throughout the year by people who hates me for winning this prize!) 
Kind Regards
Willa Badenhorst - Bible Society of South Africa

Hi Melanie
Die toer was ongelooflik en alles het goed gegaan in Parys, danksy jou hulp.
Baie dankie vir alles en vir jou geduld.
Vriendelike groete
Barendine Bezuidenhoudt - Bloemfontein

Beste Johann en die span van Etnique
Ons wil julle graag net weer bedank vir die wonderlike reisprogram vir ons saamgestel. Soos altyd was die verblyf puik en uniek op die regte plek sodat ons maklik kon loop na die belangrikste besienswaardighede en geboue wat ons graag wou bekyk.
Die vlugte, vervoerreëlings en ons toer-handleiding in boekvorm, het regtig baie bygedra tot die gemak waarmee ons kon beweeg en Frankryk kon geniet.
Julle kundigheid oor plekke en wenke het ook ‘n groot rol gespeel in die sukses van ons besoek.  Omdat ons geweet het waarheen om te gaan het ons baie tyd gehad om meer te sien en te beleef.
Baie dankie nogmaals.
Vriendelike groete
Prof Basie & Hilda Verster - Verster Berry Bourekenaars Bloemfontein

Dear Tessa
I have just returned from an exhausting but successful trip to Germany, the UK and Poland.  Thank-you for all the arrangements you helped me with, including all the flight bookings and the all important visas - your professional advice is much appreciated and all went smoothly.  Your notes on airport connections, terminal numbers etc were invaluable during the stressful times at the airports - thank-you!
With many thanks
Dr Ted Kroon – Physics Department, UFS

Liewe Melanie
Ons het een van die heerlikste vakansies ooit gehad en baie dankie vir jou aandeel.  
Die gastehuis in Kònigsee was goed, suurderige vroutjie, maar baie netjies en die omgewing pragtig. Net baie trappe. Berchtesgaden moet een van die mooiste plekke wees; ons is op na die Eagle’s Nest, op die soutmyntoer en verder het ons heerlik gekuier in Salzburg.
Die hotel in Oberammergau was goed en baie naby die saal. Dankie ook aan Johann vir sy moeite met ons kaartjies. Ons het uitstekende plekke in die derde ry van voor gehad en het die vertoning so geniet!   Ek is so dankbaar ons kon soiets beleef!
Sterk aan te bevole is die treintrip met die TGV – jy sal nie glo nie, maar ons het tussen Strassbourg en Parys teen 350km per uur gespoed!   Fantasties! As ons ooit weer tussen Londen en Parys wil beweeg, sal dit met die Eurostar wees………wat ‘n plesier en wel omdat dit vinnig is, vanaf sentraal Parys vertrek en mens hoef nie ure voor die tyd daar te wees en nog beter, te stres oor jou bagasie se gewig nie!  
Die absolute hoogtepunt was die Britse Ope gholfkampioenskap op St Andrews in Skotland!   Na ‘n heerlike middag en aand in Edinburgh, is ons vroeg die volgende dag deur St Andrews toe, wat ‘n belewenis!   Ek kan nie vir jou beskryf hoe ongelooflik die atmosfeer by so ‘n groot internasionale sportgebeurtenis is nie en het ons die grotes, soos o.a.Tiger Woods, Michelson, Goosen ens van naby gesien.  Verder is St Andrews mos een van die mooiste dorpies; ons het die motor op die kampus parkeer – prentjiemooi klipgeboue!   En die cherry op die koek was natuurlik die Suid-Afrikaner, Louis Oosthuizen, se wen!   Net “priceless”!!
Baie dankie nogmaals vir jou en Johann se bydrae; hopelik kan ons gou weer van jul dienste gebruik maak.  
Groete
Alwena Fourie - Bloemfontein

Dear Tessa
Thank you for understanding and coping with all our choices. We are positive that our final decision is for sure the best!
Looking forward to your recommendations in connection with the London Week.
Tessa, you are the best!
With appreciation
Judge George and Rina Wright - Bloemfontein

Hi Tess
We cannot thank you enough for all the trouble you have gone to too make this a holiday to remember. You have gone to so much trouble to put the itinerary together for us and even checked to see how full the plane is and the weather, you are a star. We are going to have a blast thanks to all your hard work
The Bothma Clan - Maseru Lesotho

Dear Tessa
Ela agape - getting back into the swing of things at work and unfortunately its back to reality for me.
The trip was amazing - thanks a ton for the help. Will definitely do Spain again. We ended up going to Amsterdam as well and flew with Transavia (Its the budget airline operated by KLM) It was also great to see everyone in Cyprus and just chill and have some good rest in Cyprus.
Filakia
Sophy Kleovoulou – SAB-T Pretoria

Hi Melanie
Wil net weer vir jou baie dankie sê vir die reëlings rakende Professors Sinadne, Kroukamp en Bekker se afgelope reis na Bali. Ek waardeer jou professionaliteit en bereidwilligheid om altyd die ekstra myl te loop. Kry werklik net altyd goeie diens van julle kant af, iets wat maar deesdae skaars is.
Vriendelike groete
Lizette Pretorius - Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences, UFS

Beste Tessa
Ons is veilig terug van `n baie aangename en onvergeetlike oorsese toer en bootreis wat insidentvry, sonder voorval en soos `n droom afgeloop het.
Desnieteenstaande die laat-kansellasie van vriende het ons ander besluit om die beste van die toer te maak – en daarin het ons goed geslaag!
Al wat oorbly is om jou hartlik te bedank. Van die eerste dag af het jy beïndruk met jou raakvat, professionele, bedagsame en persoonlike benadering. Nieteenstaande al ons veranderde voorkeure het jy nie eens `n geregverdigde irritasie getoon nie.
Dalk is die volgende slagspreuk gepas:  AS JY WIL VLIEG, TOER OF VAAR - TESSA KRY JOU DAAR!
Nogmaals dankie,
Inus en Esme Aucamp - Bloemfontein

Hi Tessa
Thank you for the warm welcome.  I had a spectacular holiday; and Paris was like a holiday on top of a holiday. We toured using the metro and it was wonderful. I haven’t filtered my photo’s yet but I’ll send you a couple once I get a chance to it.  And, I’ve got a little thank you gift for you; will send that with one of our drivers going to Bloemfontein.
Thank you so much for everything!
Likeleli Tsoeu - Maseru Lesotho

HI TESSA
Had a magical time and everything worked out perfectly.
Thank you for all your help.
Jan en Maria Lubbe - Mazars Bloemfontein

My wife and I have always tried to include something special in our itineraries in the countries and places to be visited. One of the most rewarding activities is experiencing the grand opera houses to be found in so many cities around the world. Most of them are architectural masterpieces. And what is more, they are about always situated at the centre of the cultural hearts of the cities, near to some of the other great sights to be seen. 

Just to behold the majestic buildings themselves is more than worth-while, but to also attend a performance – whether it be an opera, ballet, symphony concert or musical – not only enhances the visit, but contributes to a holistic experience far above that of the normal traveller. The memories that you then take home are much more than just admiration for what the eye saw, but are ingrained deep inside – especially if you were privileged to have seen and heard the performance of a world-famous artist.

One of the most memorable experiences at an opera house that my wife and I had, was some years ago at the Vienna State Opera. We were unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for a performance there whilst we were in the city. Since this famous opera house is the venue where the South African colorature soprano, Mimi Coertze, gained international fame as Kamersängerin (“resident singer”), we eagerly wanted to see it.

On a particular day we were exploring the city from early that morning. In the late afternoon we were in the vicinity of the opera house. Because it was summertime, we were casually clad – shorts, T-shirts - and were carrying parcels of our day’s purchases. We decided to just have a quick look at the majestic building. But what a surprise! A performance was taking place that evening and the spectators were already arriving, all dressed up. The looks that we generated, were quite meaningful!

But then I saw a sign above a small window saying “Standing tickets”. A few were available, and without hestitation, I bought. But then we had to climb the stairs to the top floor, six stories up. All along the way we were reminded that we did not belong there. At the entrance door our progress was blocked, because we were not “properly clad”. Then, standing aside like paupers, I saw an unmanned door ... and we quickly slipped inside. There we stood, in this majestic auditorium, without even knowing what was being performed.

A standing neighbour, eyeing us with sympathy, lent us his programme for a moment - and then we were overwhelmed. The South African tenor, Johan Botha, was in the title role of Wagner’s opera Lohengrin! Since our feet and legs were tired from a long day’s walk, we just stayed until the end of the long, first act. And then - just before the curtain was lowered - I hailed Johan loud and clear with: “Vrystaaat”! He stopped on his way out, and waved upwards – something that we cherish up to this day!

What we learned from this experience is that it is advisable to book your places well in advance. This we did for a recent trip to Europe for performances in three world-famous theaters and opera houses: the Mariinskiy Theatre in St. Petersburg, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, and the Semper Opera House in Dresden.

An evening at the Mariinskiy Theatre has to form an essential part of any visit to St. Petersburg. It is situated on the banks of the Kryokov Canal, in the Theatre Square, the cultural hub and one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in the city. Just opposite the theatre stands the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatoire, the home of Russia’s oldest music school. Just south of the theatre, also alongside the canal, is the stunning Baroque St Nicholas Cathedral with its five gilded domes and white and sky-blue facade, decorated by Corinthian columns. To the west of the Square the Yusupovsky Palace (where the infamous Rasputin was murdered), with its spectacular interior, is to be found. 

The Mariinskiy has been named in honour of Tsar Alexanders II’s wife, Maria; however, it is also known abroad by its previous Soviet regime title, the Kirov. Built in 1860 to be a rival to Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, it soon became famous for performances of most of the great operas and ballets, as well as the illustrious dancers and singers drawn to its stage. We were lucky to see the famous Anna Treblenko perform in Bizet’s opera Carmen. When booking a few months earlier the price, although high for South African visitors, was affordable. However, about three weeks before our visit, we were informed that Nebtrenko – who was at that time performing in a La Boheme season in the Vienna State Opera - had agreed to sing for one night only at the Mariinskiy, by chance the same night that we would attend. But, to our disappointment, the prices for that night had almost doubled! Indicating that we therefore had to cancel our bookings, the reply came that they were willing to allow us to attend for the original price. What memories we have of this world-class performance in such a special place.

The Staatsoper unter den Linden (State Opera House) in Berlin with its Neo-Classical exterior, coloquially called the Linderoper, is situated in one of the most iconic boulevards, called Unter den Linden (“under the linden trees”), in the historic section of the city. Some of the main points of interest are the main building of the Humbolt University, just opposite, the Deutsches Historishes Museum (German Museum of History), and the equestrian statue of King Frederic II. To the eastern end the Schlossbrücke (Palace Bridge), and on the western end the historic Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) marks the ends of the boulevard.

From the outside the Linderoper is not so conspicious amongst the other majestic buildings. However, when entering, it becomes special. Just inside the doors you can collect your tickets. Through another set of doors you go into the lobby with its lush colours and crystal chandeliers. This is where you can socialize with a glass of champagne in hand during intervals. Although the dress code allows travellers to wear less formal attire, many are in evening dress, which adds to the sophisticated atmosphere.

Through the years a number of famous conducters worked at the theatre, amongst them Herbert von Karajan, Otmar Suitner and at present Daniël Bärenboim. Even the composer Richard Strauss once held the leadership (from 1899 – 1913). It feels as if the voices from long ago can be heard whispering when you take your seat in the impressive auditorium, where we saw Donizetti’s lively and comic opera L’ Elesir de Amour.

Of the three opera houses that we visited during our trip, we found the Semper Opera House in Dresden the most majestic. It has a prime location on the Theaterplatz, a beautiful square next to the Elbe River, and surrounded by some of the city’s most famous buildings – all of them perfectly restored after severe damage during World War II.

Next to the theatre lies the impressive and large baroque complex called the  Zwinger Palace. On the opposite side of the theatre the Hofkirche (Church of the Court) with its 83 m high belfry overlooks the square. Next to the cathedral a 102 meter long mural along a walkway decorated by 25 ceramic tiles depicts a parade of Saxony’s rulers, called the Fürstenzug (Procession of Rulers). In the centre of the square, in front of the opera house, stands a large equestrian statue of King Johann, erected in 1889. 

The Semperoper, as it is fondly called, was originally built between 1838 and 1841), and designed in Neo-Renaissance style by Gottfried Semper. Although burnt down by a fire in 1869, and again destroyed in 1945, it was subsequently rebuilt according to the original plans. This oval shaped building’s large central portal is topped by a panther-drawn carriage, carrying the Greek god of art, Dionysos, and Ariadne.  Statues of famous writers such as Goethe, Schiller, Shakespeare, Sophocles and Molière adorn the niches outside.

The  interior was originally designed by one of the famous architects of the time, Johannes Schilling. The circular walkways inside the theatre before entering the auditorium, are impressive; at some places decorated with colourful marble columns and glittering chandeliers. The six storied auditorium seating 1 300 spectators is just as spectacular. Famous operas of composers like Wagner and Richard Strauss were premiered here. We were privileged to see a lesser known opera of Guiseppi Verdi, namely, Macbeth, transponded by innovative choreography to a time around World War II. This dramatic opera, based on Shakespeare’s play, includes a number of beautiful arias and choral pieces.

Without doubt any oversea’s visit will be immensely enhanced by visits to landmarks such as these to be found all around the world – La Scala in Milan, the Bolshoi in Moscow, Covent Garden in London, the Bayreuth Opera House, the Metropolitan in New York, the Sydney Opera House ...

– Manie

Aviointeriors suggests that airlines could sell cheaper fares in a "SkyRider  section" and "fill the aircraft to the maximum certified passenger capacity."  Gaetano Perugini, Aviointeriors’ research and development director, said SkyRider passengers would "assume a dynamic upright position, which is not only comfortable but also very healthy."  The company said seats can be configured with a pitch of 23 inches, or less if rows "partially overlap."  The design allows for space beneath the seat for a carry-on. A foldable shelf provides support for baggage without infringing upon passengers’ foot space, said Aviointeriors.

Colosseum tunnels: Rome's latest tourist attraction

They were dark, dank places of terror for man and beast alike. But the tunnels beneath the Colosseum, Rome’s most famous ancient monument, are set to become the city’s latest attraction when they are opened to tourists in August.

After months of work to make the subterranean structures safe, visitors will be able to explore the chambers and galleries in which wild animals and gladiators waited to do battle.

Frightened lions, leopards, bears, and bulls would have been shoved along narrow stone passageways and herded into cages. Slaves hauled on ropes and pulleys to lift the beasts to just beneath the floor of the arena, where they would suddenly appear from hidden trapdoors, to the delight of 50,000 baying spectators.

This is the first time in decades that the amphitheater’s underground area has been opened to the public.

“It would have been very crowded, very hot, and there would have been a terrible smell,” says Barbara Nazzaro, one of the architects involved in the project.

The visits will offer not only an insight into the violence that underpinned the ancient Romans’ love of “bread and circuses,” but also their extraordinary technological capacity to put on such spectacles, she said.

Why agents are top choice for luxury bookers

Travel agents are still favoured by affluent travellers over booking directly, it was revealed at TTG Virtual’s first online event Building the Best Luxury Travel Business this week. A study conducted by Harris Interactive for TTG showed that while the internet had “eclipsed agent bookings”, all travellers who spent over £2,000 (R22 000) on their holidays said they booked with travel agencies.

The survey, which questioned more than 1,000 respondents, was carried out last month, and asked about UK holiday purchasing patterns, with a focus on upmarket travellers. Of those who said they booked with an agent, 40% said they found the overall retail experience adequate, while 37% claimed dealing with a travel agent had exceeded their expectations.

However, 20% said they felt the booking process with travel agents could be “significantly improved”, and 14% of all respondents booked their holiday face-to-face with an agent. They cited reasons such as “dislike of the travel agent’s environment” and “length of time it takes to book with an agent” as to why they preferred the internet to book their holiday.