Scandinavian Airlines with 2 new non-stop flights from Oslo

Photo: Palanga beach by Andrejavus

Scandinavian Airlines launch two new destinations coming fall and winter. October they will start 3 weekly flights from Oslo Airport to Palanga, Lithuania, and in January 2012 one weekly flight to Geneva.

These two destinations have scheduled flights from Oslo serviced by Norwegian Air Shuttle. New service may lower air fare from Oslo to the Baltic states, even though high fuel prices have made it much more expensive to fly now, compared to just a year ago.

Palanga is, due to its location by the shores of the Baltic sea, the busiest summer resort in Lithuania with 18 km of beaches of sand and beautiful sand dunes. It is a little strange that Scandinavian starts flights during the cold season. Geneva, however, is as an exclusive international city, a great (but expensive) destination, and a great gateway to Eastern France as well as Switzerland.

Vis APRIL 2011: All non-stop flights from Oslo Airport i et større kart

June 2011: Back to Catalonia

Vis Barcelona and Catalonia on Enjoy Food & Travel i et større kart

I have spent time in Catalonia Spain from annually from 2006, and I will return to spend a sunny week in the Barcelona area at the beginning of July. This time we will spend the entire week in the coastal resort of Sitges, south of the Catalonian capital.

Barcelona, Spain, is one of my favourite destinations. The area around this vibrant cosmopolitan city has so much to offer. The coastal climate provides a gentle ocean breeze, even during the hottest periods of summer, and when you are tired of swimming in its warm waters, you can go exploring all the sights of Barcelona.

The architecture spans over 1000 years, and its history goes back another thousand years. You may wander through the narrow streets of the Barri Gotic, the medieval quarters, or admire the organic buildings of Gaudi, and in particular the Sagrada Familia, the gigantic cathedral that may never be finished.

The city is also a major gastronomic hub. Enjoy traditional or basque tapas, or visit Els Quatres Gats, the favourite restaurant of Pablo Picasso, Santiago Rusiñol i Prats, Miquel Utrillo and sculptor Julio González.

We will stay at Hotel Port Sitges Resort situated in the heart of Puerto d'Aiguadolç in Sitges, just 50 meters from the beach. The Port Sitges hotel offers:

“48 rooms, all with terrace and seaview to the beach, with lounge and separate bedroom, full bathroom, heating and air conditioning, kitchenette, satellite TV, telephone and safe. Wi-Fi throughout the building. 25m swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna and Solarium. Cafeteria and Restaurant. Large terrace overlooking the harbor"

O, what joy!! I will give an introduction to the hotel closer to our departure.

I cannot wait to get back to share more stories from Sitges and Barcelona as experienced during July 2011.

More stories from Sitges on Enjoy Food & Travel

• Sitges food market  (April 14th 2011)
• Rating Eguzki-Lizzaran, Sitges  (February 3rd 2011)
• Rating Izarra, Sitges (July 2nd 2010)
• From bear's den to cat walk - the Sitges gay scene (June 16th 2009) 
• Sitges - Monument to El Greco (April 2nd 2009)

John & Manfred Béarnaise sauce - a great product

John & Manfred Bearnaise sauce. Photo: company website

I am definitely too lazy to make my own butter sauces. I have experienced that making your own Béarnaise and Hollandaise sauce is such an effort. I have found that my favourite brand until now is the Béarnaise manufactured by John & Manfred. This is a sauce that is as close to the home made as you can get.

I have made Béarnaise sauce from dry bases provided by Knorr or Toro. Those were the only ones available to us, until quite recently, when sauces ready to be heated in the microwave were introduced. I tried Knorr's sauce - decent as it is, it does not provide that home made taste. The good thing about the Knorr sauce, is that it is relatively low in fat.

Another good, but much fatter alternative is the Béarnaise manufactured by Jacob's, but it does not reach the quality of John & Manfred sauce. Creamy, pungent tarragon aromas, and great consistency.

John & Manfred Béarnaise sauce is not available everywhere, though. I bought mine at Coop Mega at Stoa, in my hometown Arendal. It is relatively expensive, but it is certainly worth the higher price.

More sauces on Enjoy Food & Travel

• Baked lobster in Mornay Sauce
• Asparagus with Spanish Serrano ham and Hollandaise sauce
• Monkfisk with fried potato, baked asparagus and Nantua sauce

We declare: Enjoy Food & Travel has no commercial interests in products or brands

This post contains information on products or specific brands. Our staff will ensure our readers that we have no commercial interests in, or are paid to promote these or other products, brands, or labels.  

Coming up: Hotel de France, Ferney-Voltaire

Photo: Room at Hotel de France by Booking.com 

From June 9th to June 12th I will visit Geneva, Switzerland. As accommodation is, as everything else, expensive in this country, we will use the city’s proximity to neighbouring France to our advantage. We were recommended the Hotel de France in Ferney-Voltaire, a small village a stone’s throw from the border and Geneva Airport. 

Hotel de France is located in a historic 18th century building, once the home of the secretary of the philosopher Voltaire that once resided in the city.

Charming and individually decorated rooms at the Hôtel de France is said to blend historical elegance with modern comforts. They are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV and Wi-Fi connection. All rooms have a private bathroom.

Other facilities:

- Safe Entirely smoke free hotel
- Air-conditioning
- Dry cleaning service Wi-Fi (3 Eur per 24 hours)
- Free parking

The chef in the restaurant is listed in the Michelin guide, and traditional French gourmet cuisine is served on the hotel terrace. The hotel also has an extensive wine cellar

Breakfast is not included in the price, but at a reasonable 9 Euro you can get a breakfast buffet in the morning room or in the conservatory.

I do look forward to visit Ferney-Voltaire as well as the city of Geneva, and I will provide you with a full review of my stay at Hotel de France.

More information on Hotel de France 

See presentation and rating of Hotel de France on tripadvisor 
See hotel website here

Status during volcanic eruption on Iceland May 25th 2011 - Normal traffic from all Norwegian airports

View Status May 24th 2011 - Flights to and from Norwegian airports during Volcanic Eruption in a larger map

Updated May 25th 2011: On this map you'll find a status on flights to major Norwegian airports during the Volcanic eruption on Iceland Spring 2011. Volcanic cloud is disappearing from Norwegian air space. Normal traffic will proceed throughout the day. 

• Green marker: Open for all traffic, domestic and international.
• Yellow marker: May close for traffic, domestic and international, delays or cancellations possible
• Red marker: Closed

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Sources are newsmedia.

As this is no official site you are advised to consult your airline or www.avinor.no for more information.