Passengers from Edinburgh Airport can fly once again to Barcelona with a new five-times weekly service. Barcelona was one of the destinations lost with the demise of Flyglobespan in late 2009 and Spanair’s new service will not only replace the service, but also offer greater frequency.

Services between Edinburgh and Barcelona will fly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the Summer season, providing a convenient option for sun-seeking Scottish holidaymakers, s well as Barcelona residents looking to discover the rich history and culture of Scotland’s capital city. Gordon Dewar, Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport, told ‘Capital’: ‘It is only right that Edinburgh and Barcelona – both major European cities – have a direct link between them. ‘I’m delighted that Spanair has identified the real business and tourism demand for such a service and I know that Edinburgh and Scotland will welcome this move.’

Spanair CEO Mike Szucs added: ‘With the introduction of these new routes, Spanair is delighted to create a year-round gateway to Spain from Scotland. Via our new hub in Barcelona, passengers will enjoy connections to a range of Spanish peninsula cities and Islands, which they could otherwise only reach during the peak season with Low Cost and Charter Carriers. ‘With competitive fares, an inclusive baggage allowance and allocated seating, Spanair offers tremendous value to leisure travellers, while allowing business travellers to fly direct to Spain’s leading business centres without.’ This route is also served by Vuelling.

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Edinburgh’s prestigious Hotel Missoni has been named Glamour Hotel of the Year – as well as winning two gold medals in recognition of the hotel’s restaurant Cucina and Hotel Design – at the recently held The Scottish Hotel Awards 2010. Hotel Missoni’s award success comes hot on the heels of the hotel’s inclusion in the Conde Nast ‘Hot List’ 2010, which also selected the hotel as one of the world’s most glamorous and luxurious destinations.

The Scottish Hotel Awards, named the ‘Scottish Hotel Oscars’, is an annual celebration of the Scottish hotel industry, recognising the achievement, excellence and professionalism of the most acclaimed hotels in the country. This year’s winners were announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh. Hotel Missoni General Manager, Carina Svensen, said of the hotel’s success: ‘Achieving this award, while still less than one-yearold, is a massive achievement nd really affirms our status as one of Edinburgh’s top hotels.

Synonymous with the Missoni fashion brand, Hotel Missoni offers a friendly welcome for visitors living in, or visiting, the Scottish capital.’ Hotel Missoni,1, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1AD Tel: 0131 220 6666 www.hotelmissoni.com

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If you’re looking for assistance in reaching your destination from Edinburgh Airport then help is at hand via two bright yellow machines – one located in domestic reclaim and one in International reclaim. The units are interactive via a touch screen and provide a wide range of information including Bus timetables for all bus services operating to the airport; Weather forecast; Road traffic news and route information for cyclists.

In addition users will find a link to the Traveline Scotland website. This enables passengers arriving at the airport to find out the best way to reach their onward destination by public transport, and even gives a printout of their journey plan. Just another way Edinburgh Airport is endeavouring to make travel that little bit easier.

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A previously undiscovered copy of a rare Scottish newspaper has been returned to its original home – after more than 250 years. The management team at Fraser Suites Edinburgh spent months trying to track down a vintage edition of the Edinburgh Courant after discovering the newspaper’s offices and printing presses were previously located on the site of the hotel.

And now, after sourcing a copy from a collector in America, the archive is to be framed and displayed and given pride of place in the reception area of the St Giles Street venue. The Edinburgh Courant was one of the UK’s first regional newspapers with the first copy published at another location in Edinburgh in 1705, with the cover price of a single penny. Its’ editors included Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe.

The full front page of the recovered edition from March 17, 1759 details the ‘Natural History of the Island of Guadalupe’ – more commonly known today as the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. On the inside page, a small article appeals for the return of a ‘blue great coat with brass gilt buttons, and a piece of velvet round the neck’ which was stolen from the Playhouse in Edinburgh’s Canongate. Heather Gilchrist, Regional General Manager Frasers Hospitality Scotland, commented: ‘I think we all thought that the chances of finding a historic copy of the Edinburgh Courant were pretty slim.

‘No one knows how it got to America but we are delighted to soon have this piece of Scotland’s and Edinburgh’s history back on display in its original home in Fraser Suites Edinburgh.’ Fraser Suites Edinburgh – a restored Grade-B listed building – was officially opened last November. The hotel boasts four elegant suites – including one called The Courant. For more information or reservations on Fraser Suites Edinburgh. www.edinburgh.frasershospitality.com

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Audiences in Edinburgh are in for a special treat this Christmas as awardwinning family musical The Secret Garden is brought magically to life at the Festival Theatre. Based on the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a new production of the Broadway hit will appear at the Scottish capital’s leading performing arts venue for five weeks before embarking on a UK and Canadian tour. In a sad and lonely house on the Yorkshire moors, the melancholy routine of a family in mourning is turned upside down with the arrival of a young orphan, Mary Lennox. When the curious child discovers the key to the hidden door of a secret walled garden, a long-locked away magic is released, changing the lives of all, forever.

The much-loved tale, which continues to appeal to readers of all ages and regularly appears in the Top 10 of all time favourite children’s literature, was originally adapted for the stage with the enchanting music of Lucy Simon, sister of pop legend Carly Simon, and the lyrics of Marash Norman. Now West End director Anna Linstrum will lead the creative team, which includes Andrew Lloyd Webber’s preferred casting director, David Grindrod, for what will be the latest in a line of exciting new in-house productions from the Festival Theatre. John Stalker, Chief Executive of Festival City Theatres Trust said: “We are thrilled to have been granted the rights by Lucy and Marsha. This represents an essential treat for all our family audiences this Christmas, something for all ages to enjoy together.”

The Secret Garden will be appearing at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Thursday 9 December 2010 to Saturday 8 January 2011. See Box Office for times and ticket prices. Tel: 0131 529 6000. www.festivaltheatre.org.uk

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