They made us laugh, roll our eyes and some even made us cringe. Wrap up your work week with some of the funniest, random travel news stories we could find.
1. Etihad pumps more Diesel into Furious aircraft
Ladies, breathe.
The Diesel ‘guns’ were out last week as the actor helped Etihad Airways and Universal Pictures unveil the new Fast & Furious 777 aircraft.
The Boeing was painted in ‘Furious’ decal as it arrived in Los Angeles with Vin Diesel onboard.
Designed to kick off the world premier of the Franchise’s new flick, the aircraft will be used on direct flights between the UAE and LA.
According to Universal, the UAE served as the backdrop for Furious 7, which comes out on 3 April.
“When we began filming The Fast and the Furious in 2000, if you told me that we would one day have our logo on a wide-body jet, I would have said you were crazy.”
Neal H. Moritz, Fast & Furious 7 Producer
“We are so honored that Etihad has partnered with us to support this very personal film, and we thank the people of the United Arab Emirates for all the kindness and graciousness they showed throughout production.”
The Fast & Furious decal will remain on the plane for the next four to six months.
2. SpongeBob to attract Nickelodeon tourism
Children’s television and movie creators are taking their battle for toddlers off screen and into tourism.
Disney is known for having successfully transformed its popular animations into travel, through Disney Parks, Resorts and cruise ships.
But now Nickelodeon is looking to cash in on the family holiday business, with plans for a themed hotel.
Miami developer, Karisma Hotels & Resorts has taken out a licence for a collection of properties, which will be named Nickelodeon Hotels.
The properties will of course feature popular characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The first hotel is expected to open next year and will be located in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
A second hotel is scheduled shortly after for Mexico.
3. What’s in a suitcase? A woman!
Taking the phrase ‘pack me in your suitcase’ a little too literally, a man was busted trying to sneak a woman into Turkey in his luggage.
Customs officials at the border of Artvin saw the 25-year-old man acting suspicious and decided to investigate.
After talking to him, they took a closer look at his suitcase and found a 22-year-old woman packed away in the foetal position.
An official reason hasn’t been released, however, media outlets suspect the woman was banned from travelling to Turkey.
The couple were arrested and later deported.
4. 7 reasons Avalon’s new ship will ruin river cruising
It’s true, Avalon Waterways has a new ship and it’s as disgustingly beautiful as the line’s other horribly incredible river cruising vessels.
Avalon Tapestry II was christened this week by best-selling US author Diana Gabaldon at the French village of Les Andelys.
Although Avalon already has two ships – Avalon Creativity and Avalon Scenery – cruising on France’s river, Tapestry II will be the line’s first ‘Suite Ship’ to debut in the country.
But she won’t be on her luxurious lonesome for too long – she will be joined by a second ‘Suite Ship’, Avalon Poetry II, which will be relocated from the Rhine to the Rhone from Friday.
Find out why it will ruin river cruise for you here.
