Lyon force late draw but Benzema scores away goal for Real

Defiant Lyon came from behind to force a late 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid on Tuesday, in a one-sided Champions League round of 16 first leg clash that the Spaniards should really have won.

Karim Benzema gave dominant Real the lead in the 65th minute, only for Bafetimbi Gomis to equalize for Lyon seven minutes from the end.

The draw leaves Real fairly well placed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004. Lyon now need a high-scoring draw or an away win in Madrid in the second leg, on March 16.

Claude Puel's team will make the trip without left wing-back Michel Bastos, who will be suspended after picking up another yellow card.

Real defender Sergio Ramos said: "We will go home with our heads down after not being able to win this game. We should have got a more positive result, this leaves us with a bittersweet taste."

The World Cup-winner tried to finish on a high note, saying that "we should be optimistic (about the second leg) because we will have our fans cheering for us. This time we really need to go through."

Lyon's Argentine striker Cesar Delgado, meanwhile, said: "This is not really a bad result for us, in the circumstances...We never gave up trying, and we deserved to get a draw."

Real coach Jose Mourinho raised eyebrows by ommitting Brazilians Marcelo and Kaka from his starting lineup, preferring a more cautious approach.

In a cagey first half, Mourinho's team seemed to show Lyon too respect, the consequence of never having beaten the Frenchmen in six matches in the past six years.

Real came out for the second half with more ambition and aggression, and enjoyed 58 per cent possession. In the 50th minute Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post with a clever free-kick, then Ramos headed a corner from Mesut Oezil onto the crossbar.

In the 64th minute the visitors should have been given a penalty when Yoann Gourcuff stoped a Ronaldo free-kick with his arm.

But Lyon's relief lasted just one minute. Benzema came on for the flat Emmanuel Adebayor and straight away scored the first goal that Real had managed in four visits to the Stade de Gerland.

Oezil found Ronaldo on the edge of the area and the Portuguese forward set up the determined Benzema. The former Lyon idol staggered past three defenders on the wet field and eventually fell over, but his soft shot trickled in under the legs of keeper Hugo Lloris.

Benzema did not celebrate the goal out of respect for the fans of his home town club.

The goal demoralized Lyon for 15 minutes, but the hosts finally recovered their spirit to launch a late assault on Iker Casillas' goal.

Seven minutes from time Jeremy Toulalan launched a hopeful long free-kick which took a deflection off Ronaldo. Defender Cris managed to head the ball back across goal towards the completely unmarked Gomes, who made it 1-1 with a close-range volley while Real appealed for a non-existent offside

Anelka's double puts Chelsea on course for quarter-finals

Nicolas Anelka scored both goals as Chelsea took a stranglehold on their last-16 clash with Copenhagen as they won the first leg 2-0 in Denmark on Tuesday.

The Frenchman opened the scoring on 17 minutes and doubled his side's lead with a well-taken second nine minutes into the second half.

Fernando Torres, the club's 50-million-pound signing, started the game and created a series of chances in an improved performance but could not get his first club for the club.

But the result will be a huge relief for manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose position had been the subject of some discussion after a series of poor results in the league and their exit from the FA Cup last weekend.

"It was a good result and good performance," Ancelotti said. "The players worked hard and played good football but it is only the first half. In this competition we are focused because we want to do well.

"Fernando Torres did very well because the key to the game was the work of the strikers."

With Torres and Anelka given the nod in attack it meant there was no place in the starting line-up for Didier Drogba, while Brazilian Ramires was preferred to Jon Obi Mikel alongside Michael Essien in midfield.

Copenhagen were second best throughout the match and the difference between the sides was evident early on as Chelsea dominated possession and created chances at will.

Torres wasted an early chance due to a heavy touch while Florent Malouda lashed over the bar but on 17 minutes, Chelsea took the lead.

Former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer gave the ball away in midfield, allowing Anelka to run at the defence and his shot was too powerful for Wiland in the Copenhagen goal, though he should have done better.

Torres continued to cause the Copenhagen defence problems but it was Anelka who showed him the way, running onto a great reverse pass by Frank Lampard before unleashing a perfect shot across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

Wiland did well to deny Torres after the Spaniard turned the defence inside out and Lampard and Drogba, on as a late substitute, were guilty of wasting good chances to extend their lead.

But with a two-goal advantage - and two away goals for that matter - Chelsea will be confident of easing through the second leg at Stamford Bridge and moving into the quarter-finals

Anelka's double puts Chelsea on course for quarter-finals

Nicolas Anelka scored both goals as Chelsea took a stranglehold on their last-16 clash with Copenhagen as they won the first leg 2-0 in Denmark on Tuesday.

The Frenchman opened the scoring on 17 minutes and doubled his side's lead with a well-taken second nine minutes into the second half.

Fernando Torres, the club's 50-million-pound signing, started the game and created a series of chances in an improved performance but could not get his first club for the club.

But the result will be a huge relief for manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose position had been the subject of some discussion after a series of poor results in the league and their exit from the FA Cup last weekend.

"It was a good result and good performance," Ancelotti said. "The players worked hard and played good football but it is only the first half. In this competition we are focused because we want to do well.

"Fernando Torres did very well because the key to the game was the work of the strikers."

With Torres and Anelka given the nod in attack it meant there was no place in the starting line-up for Didier Drogba, while Brazilian Ramires was preferred to Jon Obi Mikel alongside Michael Essien in midfield.

Copenhagen were second best throughout the match and the difference between the sides was evident early on as Chelsea dominated possession and created chances at will.

Torres wasted an early chance due to a heavy touch while Florent Malouda lashed over the bar but on 17 minutes, Chelsea took the lead.

Former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer gave the ball away in midfield, allowing Anelka to run at the defence and his shot was too powerful for Wiland in the Copenhagen goal, though he should have done better.

Torres continued to cause the Copenhagen defence problems but it was Anelka who showed him the way, running onto a great reverse pass by Frank Lampard before unleashing a perfect shot across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

Wiland did well to deny Torres after the Spaniard turned the defence inside out and Lampard and Drogba, on as a late substitute, were guilty of wasting good chances to extend their lead.

But with a two-goal advantage - and two away goals for that matter - Chelsea will be confident of easing through the second leg at Stamford Bridge and moving into the quarter-finals.

Lyon force late draw but Benzema scores away goal for Real

Defiant Lyon came from behind to force a late 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid on Tuesday, in a one-sided Champions League round of 16 first leg clash that the Spaniards should really have won.

Karim Benzema gave dominant Real the lead in the 65th minute, only for Bafetimbi Gomis to equalize for Lyon seven minutes from the end.

The draw leaves Real fairly well placed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004. Lyon now need a high-scoring draw or an away win in Madrid in the second leg, on March 16.

Claude Puel's team will make the trip without left wing-back Michel Bastos, who will be suspended after picking up another yellow card.

Real defender Sergio Ramos said: "We will go home with our heads down after not being able to win this game. We should have got a more positive result, this leaves us with a bittersweet taste."

The World Cup-winner tried to finish on a high note, saying that "we should be optimistic (about the second leg) because we will have our fans cheering for us. This time we really need to go through."

Lyon's Argentine striker Cesar Delgado, meanwhile, said: "This is not really a bad result for us, in the circumstances...We never gave up trying, and we deserved to get a draw."

Real coach Jose Mourinho raised eyebrows by ommitting Brazilians Marcelo and Kaka from his starting lineup, preferring a more cautious approach.

In a cagey first half, Mourinho's team seemed to show Lyon too respect, the consequence of never having beaten the Frenchmen in six matches in the past six years.

Real came out for the second half with more ambition and aggression, and enjoyed 58 per cent possession. In the 50th minute Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post with a clever free-kick, then Ramos headed a corner from Mesut Oezil onto the crossbar.

In the 64th minute the visitors should have been given a penalty when Yoann Gourcuff stoped a Ronaldo free-kick with his arm.

But Lyon's relief lasted just one minute. Benzema came on for the flat Emmanuel Adebayor and straight away scored the first goal that Real had managed in four visits to the Stade de Gerland.

Oezil found Ronaldo on the edge of the area and the Portuguese forward set up the determined Benzema. The former Lyon idol staggered past three defenders on the wet field and eventually fell over, but his soft shot trickled in under the legs of keeper Hugo Lloris.

Benzema did not celebrate the goal out of respect for the fans of his home town club.

The goal demoralized Lyon for 15 minutes, but the hosts finally recovered their spirit to launch a late assault on Iker Casillas' goal.

Seven minutes from time Jeremy Toulalan launched a hopeful long free-kick which took a deflection off Ronaldo. Defender Cris managed to head the ball back across goal towards the completely unmarked Gomes, who made it 1-1 with a close-range volley while Real appealed for a non-existent offside.

Barca midfielder Xavi out for seven to 10 days

Barcelona midfielder Xavi will be sidelined for seven to 10 days after scans revealed minor muscle damage in his left leg, the Spanish league leaders said on Tuesday.

"The midfielder will miss La Liga matches against Real Mallorca and Valencia if the recuperation time is the maximum set by medical staff," Barca said on their website

The Spain international should return in time for Barca's Champions League last-16, second leg at home to Arsenal on March 8, when they will seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit from last week's first leg in London.

Xavi joins central defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes on Barca's injury list.

Montella doesn't feel like caretaker as Adriano goes AWOL

New AS Roma coach Vincenzo Montella said he did not feel like a caretaker on his first full day in charge on Tuesday but striker Adriano immediately tested his mettle by not turning up for training.

Former striker and youth-team boss Montella, whose first game in charge is at Bologna on Wednesday, signed a contract until the end of the season after Claudio Ranieri quit on Sunday following the team's 4-3 loss at Genoa.

"I don't feel like a caretaker," Montella told his first news conference, aware of media reports linking Roma fan Carlo Ancelotti with the job if his Chelsea side continue to stutter.

"At the same time, the rumours don't annoy me. To tell you the truth, I'm not annoyed that people are talking about Ancelotti, a person who I look up to a lot."

Montella, nicknamed the "little aeroplane" for his goal celebration, spent most of his latter years at Roma as a substitute and showed he has not lost his famous sense of humour.

"I reckon I've been on more benches in Serie A than many coaches, so I've got a bit of experience," he chuckled.

Adriano's failure to report back to Italy as scheduled after spending the last few weeks in Brazil recovering from a broken arm was no laughing matter, however.

The striker quit Inter Milan to return to Brazil two years ago because of personal problems and Roma knew they were taking a risk bringing him back to Serie A.

Agent Gilmar Rinaldi told Italian media: "Only he knows what he wants to do

Messi Vs Bilbao amazing video

Palaces, posh accents boost "King's Speech" shot at Oscars

Oscar looks set to bow before "The King's Speech" this coming Sunday, proving there's nothing quite like a British accent, some historic buildings, and, best of all, a few royals to get Hollywood all a twitter.

Few Americans had ever heard of King George VI -- the royal who led Britain into World War II and the father of current monarch Queen Elizabeth -- before Colin Firth brought him to life in "King's Speech" as a shy man with a crippling stutter.

Now, many Americans know his story, and if "King's Speech" wins Oscars on February 27, many more will want to learn about him. And it's very likely the movie will take home at least a few Academy Awards because it has a leading 12 nominations for the honors given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In fact, it is the front-runner for best film.

Throughout U.S. history, Americans have been fascinated by royal pomp -- even on a movie screen. In 1860, a New York ballroom floor collapsed under the weight of thousands gathered to see a teenage Prince Albert Edward. Currently, Americans have royal wedding fever over the April marriage of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton.

"Even though we won the American Revolution, we still bow to British royalty. We are suckers for a British accent -- it sounds so much smarter -- and there is a clear bias throughout Oscar history for British films," said Tom O'Neil of awards websites goldderby.com and theenvelope.com.

U.S. critics, moviegoers and Hollywood's professional guilds have responded warmly to the movie's human story of friendship, courage and triumph over adversity, performed by a strong ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush, alongside Firth.

A "recommendation" for the movie by Queen Elizabeth, whose aides let it be known that she found the film "moving and enjoyable" after a private screening in January, proved the ultimate endorsement.

"HER MAJESTY'S APPRECIATION"

Her comments were seized upon by veteran Oscar campaigner and "King's Speech" distributor Harvey Weinstein, who said those associated with the film were "deeply honored and humbled by Her Majesty's appreciation."

British period movies have often done well at the Academy Awards. Helen Mirren won her Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth in "The Queen" in 2006; the 2001 upstairs-downstairs film "Gosford Park" won a screenwriting Oscar for Julian Fellowes; and 1998 movie "Shakespeare in Love" won seven Oscars, including a trophy for Judi Dench's brief turn as 16th century monarch Queen Elizabeth I.

British stage actors are held in high esteem by their U.S. peers, especially when it comes to Shakespeare.

"Hundreds of years after the American Revolution, there is still the sense that the stuff we see that is British, tends to be smarter," said Robert Thompson, professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.

Indeed, one of the more astounding series of events to watch this awards season in Hollywood has been the manner in which "The King's Speech" quashed early Oscar front-runner, ".

" swept through early awards from American critics' groups, but "The King's Speech" turned the race on its ear when it began claiming top honors from film and TV professional guilds such as the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild.

"'The Social Network' is the quintessential American movie. It is the ultimate tale of America today, (but) it faced off against a classic British historical drama about royals," said O'Neil. "If a British commoner had this stammer, we would cruelly not care, royal worshipers that we are

Oregon Gold Rush -- Dakar Yellow E92 M3 full official photoshoot

The most exciting time in an IND Portfolio project’s development is the day I fly out to inspect our work in person. Making a Portfolio build go well involves so much more behind the scenes planning than many people can understand.

From consulting with Grand Am Cup winning race teams to determine the perfect ride height, to debating for hours about tiny, subtle details like the color of the finishing pieces on the car, to coordinating a completely one-off set of Brembo brakes directly with Brembo, to obtaining a set of HRE wheels designed specifically for the Fall Line motorsport program, completing an IND Portfolio project like Scott’s Dakar Yellow E92 M3 is no easy task. That’s exactly why those few hours spent on the airplane are both so exciting, and so nerve-racking. You think about each modification, each part installed just one more time. Will the ride height of the KW ClubSport coilovers work well with the 275/35/18 Nitto NT05 race tires sitting at each corner of the car? Will the higher spring rate at the front of the car work well with the extra grip available because of the hugely wide front tires? How will the gloss black mirror caps, side markers, grilles, and Vorsteiner front lip work with the Dakar Yellow paint? No matter how many hundreds of hours you spend thinking, planning, and researching, nothing is proven until you meet your client and see the car in person- this is the real moment of truth.

I met Scott in a busy airport parking lot after a long flight from Chicago. Portland’s busy airport could do nothing to conceal this M3, and even though there were cars and SUVs strewn about the parking area, my eyes were instantly drawn to BMW’s classic yellow color. As striking as the car is at first sight, it’s amazing how perfectly the details come together. When designing Scott’s car, Nate and I kept two themes in mind- the car is to be competition inspired, and the car is to be subtle and mature. The gloss black Vorsteiner lip, IND sidemarkers and grilles; the fully painted Vorsteiner bootlid- all of these details work together to give the car a put together appearance that hides the performance that lurks underneath the sheetmetal. The only real giveaway to the driver’s sporting intentions are the strangely huge Nitto NT05 tires and the custom powdercoated Brembo calipers, designed in collaboration with Brembo to mimic the brake calipers used in Brembo’s racing program.

Our first task was to leave Portland for the mountains of Oregon. With thousands of turns, sheer drops, and some of the smoothest road surfaces available in the US, the roads leading up to Oregon’s famous Mt Hood are at least as frightening as they are beautiful. Watching the Dakar M3’s competition proven components work together in harmony over the turns and constant elevation changes leading up to Mt Hood was truly amazing. The Brembo brakes never failed. The KW ClubSports and square 275 tires provided sure footed handling with perfect steering response, and eliminated the understeer inherent in the stock E92 M3. Being able to hear the sonorous exhaust note of the Eisenmann Sport exhaust as the M3 powered through the mountain roads confirmed things for me- this car was absolutely perfect. Watching Scott drive the car, I could tell that the Dakar project that we’d built together was perfectly in tune with his tastes, both visually and with regard to the car’s awesome handling and braking performance.

The amount of beautiful scenery in Oregon is really too great to describe adequately here, and I hope that these photos by my friend Johan can express the feeling of awe that these mountain roads impose on anyone who can make it all the way to the top. I truly felt on top of the world as we had dinner at the Timberline Lodge, looking over the snowy peaks of Mt Hood.

I’d like to thank all of our sponsors and partners in this Portfolio project:

Terrence at Nitto Tire
Gary at Brembo North America
Steve at Fall Line Motorsports
Omar at Active Autowerke
Julius and Johan at WheelSTO
Peter at Vorsteiner
Sven at Eisenmann GmbH
Roy at CA Automotive

Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin

drama "Nader and Simin: A Separation" won the Golden Bear for best picture at the Berlin film festival on Saturday, while its ensemble cast also picked up the best actor and actress prizes on a triumphant night.

Director Asghar Farhadi's portrayal of a marriage in crisis was firm favorite for the coveted award, and its victory was the first for an Iranian picture, Berlin organizers said.

In the movie, one family is pitted against another in a gripping legal tussle which highlights the gap between middle class "intellectuals" and poorer, traditional Iranians for whom religious beliefs and honor tend to be more important.

It was praised for its subtle exploration of Iran's class divisions and religious conservatism, which it managed to combine with the tension of a crime thriller. The acting awards were a bonus for Farhadi, whose daughter Sarina starred.

Farhadi paid tribute to fellow Iranian film maker Jafar Panahi, who was unable to accept Berlin's invitation to sit on the main jury after being sentenced to six years in jail and banned from making movies or traveling abroad for 20 years.

He stands accused of inciting opposition protests in 2009 and making a film without permission, and his sentence has caused an outcry in the movie making world.

"I want to remind you of Jafar Panahi," Farhadi told the glitzy awards ceremony. "I really think his problem will be solved, and I hope he will be the one standing here next year."

When asked to speak about the situation in Iran, he replied: "I can either say what you want me to say and the result would be that I get into trouble and couldn't make films anymore.

"Or I can say as much as I'm allowed to and continue making films. I prefer making my films. I'm not a hero, I'm a film maker," he told reporters, adding that he spoke to Panahi after receiving the Golden Bear.

Panahi's absence was marked with an empty chair alongside jury head Isabella Rossellini at the opening press conference, and some German media have dubbed this year's cinema showcase the "Iranian Berlinale."

DARK TALE OF A HORSE

The runner-up film prize went to Hungarian director Bela Tarr's black-and-white "The Turin Horse," a slow-moving, bleak feature about a farmer and his daughter's forsaken lives in a windswept, isolated house.

The love-it-or-loathe-it picture, which Tarr has said would be his last, sharply divided critics, but its stark images, sparse dialogue and relentlessly droning score were considered among the most memorable at this year's festival.

"That is true it is my last film. The last so-called Tarr film," he told reporters after receiving his award.

"I believe that in this film everything comes together. Everything is contained in this film -- everything that I believe needs to be shown in film, i.e. everything that uses the language of fi

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Detroit 2009: 2010 Z4 wins Eyes on Design Awards for best production vehicle

Each year, the Detroit Auto Show plays host to the Eyes on Design Awards, where a group of judges descend into the bowels of Cobo Hall to pick their favorite vehicles from the show. The nominees are predictably divided into two categories: Design Excellence for a Concept Vehicle and Design Excellence for a Production Vehicle.

This year's ceremony was MC'd by our very own John McElroy from Autoline Detroit, with judging duties handled by BMW design head Chris Bangle, Harley-Davidson chief styling officer Willy G. Davidson, and transportation design chair at the College for Creative Studies Larry Erickson. The two winners for production vehicle were the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and the 2010 BMW Z4, while Audi Sportback and Cadillac Converj took home the best concept awards. -- Autoblog

2010 BMW 5-series touring spyshots

These are the very first pictures of the new BMW 5-series Touring. Snapped testing in Germany, the new 5-series estate will boast BMW’s latest Efficient Dynamics technology, Concept CS-inspired looks, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a further development of the current car’s aluminium and steel platform.

But the new 5-series Touring will still have a sloping rear end so if you're after a particularly roomy 5-series we'd suggest its sister, Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) isntead, which BMW insiders claim offers as much interior space as a Rolls-Royce Phantom.


Will it be a good looking BMW 5-series?
Should be. Both the dead-in-the-water Concept CS and new 7-series will influence the new Five's design, so expect a big kidney grille and big flat sides. LED eyebrows should also feature, wrapping around the famous 'angel eye' headlights.

Size-wise the new 5-series will be around 10mm longer than the existing car, but a shorter front overhang and longer-wheelbase should ensure much more room inside.

And to help make this new 5-series the ‘ultimate driving machine’ the options list will offer up active steering, lane guidance, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control and dynamic drive. An eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic – that will improve acceleration and reduce emissions – will also be available.

And the engines?
The engine line-up should look a lot like this:

Diesel:

520d – 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
530d – 3.0-litre straight-six turbo
535d – 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo

The 525d (3.0-litre single turbo diesel) may be dropped for a 523d using BMW’s twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel.

Petrol:

525i – 2.5-litre straight-six
530i – 3.0-litre straight-six
535i – 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo
550i – 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo
M5 – 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo

We’ll see the production version of the PAS at the Frankfurt motor show and the new 5-series within the next 12 months, followed by the Touring in 2010, and an M5 next year as well.

The new platform will also spawn replacements for the next 6-series coupe and cabriolet, though BMW has cancelled plans for other 6-series variants

BMW U.S. Price Increases (including new 7-series)

BMW ANNOUNCES JANUARY 2009 PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 22, 2008...BMW of North America, LLC announced today an average price increase of 0.7 percent for BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. effective January 1, 2009. This action is driven by the ongoing structural and economical changes in the market place. It will ensure revenue generation for the company's U.S. operations and help to protect the quality of business.

Pricing for the new Advanced Diesel vehicles remain unchanged. The all new 335d and X5 xDrive35d were launched recently and have begun arriving at BMW Centers this month.

In addition, BMW announced pricing for the new 2009 7 Series that debuted recently at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The base price for the 750i is $81,125 and the 750Li is 85,025 (including $825 for destination and handling). Both models began production in November and will arrive at BMW Centers in the spring

Brooklyn: The Wall Street alternative

New Yorkers love to tease that Brooklyn is ideal for young people who love ironic eyewear, self-employment and a closet full of skinny jeans. But if the hoteliers flocking to the borough have their way, Kings County will soon swarm with a very different group of trendsetters: the ones wearing suits.

About a dozen hotels have sprouted up on the other side of the East River in the past few years, all hoping to become an alternative for business travellers who work on Wall Street, a dull neighbourhood that closes when the New York Stock Exchange does. Just a seven-minute ride cab ride over the Brooklyn Bridge, many of these new properties are closer to the world's financial hub than rooms in midtown Manhattan, plus they offer better entertainment options for almost half the room price. Since the Hilton Garden Inn opened in 2009, hospitality firm Lodging Econometrics recorded seven new hotels throughout Kings County in 2010. Fourteen more are forecasted by the end of 2013.

While each project varies in size and scope - from the massive 666-room Marriott in downtown Brooklyn, to Hotel Le Jolie (235 Meeker Ave; ), a Williamsburg boutique with 54 Euro-inspired spaces - each one relies on New York's trove of business travellers to meet their bottom line.

"Our social customer comes on the weekends for weddings," said Jennifer Goodman, the sales manager at the 93-room NU Hotel (85 Smith St;, which opened on Smith Street in downtown Brooklyn in 2008. "These businessmen and corporate accounts are integral to the hotel's success, especially during the week." To win these customers (and compete with chain rewards programs), the hotel offers surprise room upgrades to guests who have stayed five times. They will also arrange free drinks for the bar if a client is visiting. For larger groups, Goodman's team will set out coffee and cookies to turn a suite into a complimentary meeting space. And, while scores of Manhattan hotels may offer similar perks, they would be hard-pressed to compete on price. The average nightly rate in Brooklyn was $146 in 2010, according to Smith Travel Research, versus $256 in Manhattan (and $232 for the entire city). "[These hotels] represent a lower price alternative to Manhattan," said John Fox, a Senior Vice President at Colliers PKF Consulting in New York. "That is what generally drives the demand for a room in Brooklyn."

But price is not the only benefit of bunking in the borough. Were Brooklyn still its own city, it would be the fourth largest in the United States, with all the cultural cachet you can expect from a metropolis of 2.5 million. After the city re-zoned Brooklyn's downtown neighbourhoods in 2004, nearly $10 billion in private development funding has culminated in an entertainment hub that rivals Manhattan, with an up-all-night energy centred around the Brooklyn Academy of Music (30 Lafayette Ave; an arts pavilion that shows concerts, theatre and other performances. Fresh off his Oscar circuit for The King's Speech, Geoffrey Rush will be playing the lead in The Diary of a Madman, from 11 February through 12 March. (For those more insistent on Broadway, a hidden TKTS booth is just 10 minutes away on foot -a secret paradise for discount tickets sans Times Square's terrible crowds. 1 MetroTech Center;).

Nearby, the brownstone blocks of Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Park Slope have garnered attention for the award-winning cocktails at bars like the Clover Club (210 Smith Street; and the Jake Walk (282 Smith St; , trendy boutique shopping at stores like Hollander & Lexer (358 Atlantic Ave; or Bird (220 Smith St and 316 Fifth Ave; and Michelin-starred meals at Saul (140 Smith St; saulrestaurant.com) or Brooklyn Fare (200 Schermerhorn St; , a single table nestled in a grocery store. After earning two stars, the latter is now among the toughest reservations in New York. That wait will hopefully subside by 2012, when the Barclays Center ( opens to welcome the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, the borough's first professional team since the beloved Dodgers left in 1957

The best places to steal a kiss

Like they say, it is all in the lips – so pucker up for everything from passion to cinematic history at these super-smoochy destinations.

Paris, France
Our "pecking order", so to speak, would be incomplete without the City of Lights and Love. Heck, we could come up with a separate list just featuring places to pucker up in Paris. Without besmirching other classic Parisian smooching spots, our favourite is the final resting place of some of history's most passionate people. Steal a kiss at the apocryphal tombs of lovelorn Abelard and Heloise, and swing by Oscar Wilde's grave to add your mark to the mosaic of fading lipstick ovals left by other admirers.

Blarney, Ireland
Those seeking the "gift of the gab" flock to near Cork, to get intimate with a celebrated chunk of bluestone. It is uncertain how the tradition began but, according to legend, those who make the effort will be rewarded with uncanny eloquence and the ability to flatter even the surliest characters. To kiss the stone, visitors must lie on their rear, arch their head back into a deep crevice and kiss the stone upside down while gripping two iron railings.

Kiribati
Island destinations always make for a great romantic getaway, but this tiny nation of rugged atolls offers something extra. Kiribati's 33 isles are in the cerulean waters of the South Pacific, just west of the international dateline, making it the first place in the world to welcome the new day. If you ring in the New Year on one of Kiribati's Line Islands, you and your beloved could be the first people on earth to steal a kiss.

New York City, USA
The history of New York is filled with memorable kisses. From 1892 through to 1954 was the main entry point for immigrants coming to the US. During its prime, the checkpoint employees dubbed a baluster "the kissing post", as it was here that freshly minted Americans would reunite with their long-estranged families and loved ones. In 1973 the gritty metropolis was also home to Messrs Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, founders of the rock band KISS.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
'Tall and tan and young and lovely' pretty much describes every frolicking sunlover on scintillating Antonio Carlos Jobim, a native of Rio, captured that universal longing for tropical beachside romance when he wrote the sultry "The Girl from Ipanema". Listening to this bittersweet bossa nova will make you want to pack your bags and head to Brazil, where a kiss on both cheeks comes with every friendly "hello".

Venice, Italy
The charming canals of Venice have been synonymous with romance since long before Shakespeare and the Renaissance. Local legend maintains that lovers will find eternal happiness if they share a kiss while passing beneath the Bridge of Sighs on a sunset gondola ride. Rather unromantically, the bridge's name came about because it connected a courtroom and a prison, and criminals would often sigh as they took a final look at the beautiful city before being locked away.

Casablanca, Morocco
"Kiss me, kiss me as if it were the last time" was one of Ingrid Bergman's indelible phrases in the celebrated movie Casablanca, which forever gave the Moroccan metropolis a certain je ne sais quoi. Although Humphrey Bogart's smoky Café Americain was a Hollywood invention, there are plenty of hectic hangouts to use as a backdrop for your own re-enactment. Gaze into your lover's eyes and whisper "we'll always have Paris" (then go to the top of this list

Travelwise: How to minimise the effect of travel disasters

Each year, thousands of air travellers are stranded when snowstorms, hurricanes and even erupting volcanoes cause flight cancellations worldwide. But even though inclement weather is nothing new, said consumer advocate Christopher Elliott, the reason airlines are not better at coping with its fallout is simply, they do not have to be.

Airlines are not required to do anything if a [disruption] is caused by what's referred to as an 'act of God'. So, a volcano is an 'act of God', weather is an 'act of God', even a civil disturbance - any event beyond the airline's control - can be considered an 'act of God'."

Unfortunately, explained Elliott, co-founder of the and a nationally syndicated , airlines sometimes use weather as an excuse for delays that are primarily caused by other issues. "Passengers get upset when they think that the airline is not playing straight. They'll look outside and see a blue sky... and the airline will say, 'Well, it's raining in Dallas or Atlanta.' And you find out later that actually the crew timed out and the pilot didn't make the flight in time."

Whether or not the weather outside is frightful, knowing how and why airlines operate the way they do is a first step in minimizing the effects of travel calamity. Here are our top tips for dealing with delays, cancellations, overbookings and other air travel disruptions.

Before you leave:

1. Read your airline's Contract of Carriage and customer service plan
Before travelling, look up carriage contracts and customer service agreements on your airline's website. (If you do not have time to read them, print them out and stick them in your carry-on bag, in case you encounter a problem.) These generally detail the airline's policies regarding flight delays and cancellations, tarmac delays, overbookings and accommodations for passengers with disabilities or special needs. Find out ahead of time when and how your airline is willing to compensate you in the event of a cancellation or overbooking. Being aware of airline policy arms you with the knowledge necessary to begin a negotiation.

2. Game plan with the airline before a cancelation
Check the weather in your departure and destination cities. If a storm is brewing, call your airline and ask if delays or cancellations are likely. Find out when the next flights are, whether your agent can arrange for ground transportation to a nearby airport that may not have delays and whether alternative itineraries exist. You do not have to wait until every passenger on your plane is trying to get rerouted to decide on your exit strategy.

3. Avoid problem airports, when possible
Try to avoid airports that do not handle storms well. This past Christmas, for instance, just a few inches of snow caused London's Heathrow Airport to shut down. However, even cities accustomed to weather occurrences like snow (such as or can be caught off guard at peak travel times because most flights operate at capacity. One solution is to fly on days when others are not flying. "If you can travel on Christmas Day or on Thanksgiving Day, flights are pretty wide open, so if you're delayed, you can get on another flight pretty easily," Elliott suggested. According to Forbes's list of Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai and Istanbul Ataturk International Airport were ranked as the three worst airports in 2010.

4. Know when travel insurance makes sense
"My rule of thumb", said Elliott, "is that if it's a trip that you can afford to lose, you shouldn't buy insurance on it. So, typically anything under $10,000 [total] because you're going to spend 7, 8, 9 percent of the trip on insurance." The important thing is to read the policy's fine print. Some do not even cover weather delays, Elliott warned, so read your policy fully before deciding to cancel a trip. "Don't accept anything they tell you over the phone without reading the policy," Elliott advises. That said, if you are visiting a place with an erupting volcano or travelling during hurricane season or a time of civil unrest, travel insurance may be a wise choice if you can afford it. In the New York Times article author Michelle Higgins recommends first identifying the concerns, then pricing it out and understanding the policy limitations.

While it is happening:

5. Work every angle
As soon as your flight is cancelled or delayed, call your airline and, at the same time, get in line to speak with a ticket agent. "You want to play both sides here", said Elliott. While calling may get you rerouted more quickly, speaking with an agent in person may land you a better deal. Some airlines even allow you to rebook online via Twitter, and Jaunted If you booked your flight through a travel agency, call your travel agent before speaking with the airline.

6. Play the status card
When bad weather hits, airlines are more willing to accommodate elite passengers for the same reason that they claim they do not have to accommodate any passengers: it benefits their bottom line. If you are a frequent flyer, or a first or business class passenger, your status becomes a bargaining chip that you can use to quickly rebook a flight or to get vouchers for hotel rooms, food and other amenities.

7. Play the heartstrings card
If you have a sob story, use it. Agents can help those in need and tend to be more willing to do so during the holidays. "If you have five young children with you", Elliott said, "chances are, the ticket agent is going to look at you and say, yeah, let's take care of you. We don't want you to sleep on the floor of the terminal with five young kids." If your inclination is to invent a sob story, remember that lying (as in most situations) can backfire.

8. Do not get crazy
Do not be that guy. You know, the one threatening the gate agent and throwing a hysterical fit. Theatrics rarely work because ticket agents have seen it all before, Elliott said. Agents are far more likely to help you out if you are calm and respectful. Plus, belligerent passengers can get themselves thrown off of flights.

9. Think outside the box
If you absolutely need to get to your destination on time - say, your significant other went into labour prematurely or your brother's wedding is tomorrow - consider every possible option. Rent a car, or hop on a bus or train, and head to a city whose airports are not facing delays. Or, vice versa, fly to a different city and take a bus or train from there.

When all else fails:

10. Know your rights
In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration has measures in place to protect consumers. To report lost or damaged luggage, denied boarding or ticketing problems, call (202) 366-2220. To find out more about your rights as a passenger or report air travel concerns including safety issues, call 1 (866) TELL-FAA or visit . When faced with overbookings, be aware of what compensation you are owed. The Department of Transportation also has an explanation on their website:.

11. Make the best of it
Take ten deep breaths, hunker down and find a way to make the best of it. Read a good book, listen to music, play games on your smartphone, catch up on work or watch a movie on your laptop. Alternatively, browse around an airport bookstore and get some reading done there. If for layovers, including a 20-minute taxi ride to Hawaii's Waikiki Beach from Honolulu International Airport, a 30-minute taxi ride to a panda reserve from China's Chengdu Shuangliu Airport and a 30-minute public transport trip from London Heathrow to the National Gallery.

Travelwise is a BBC Travel column that goes behind the travel stories to answer common questions, satisfy uncommon curiosities and uncover some of the mystery surrounding travel. If you have a burning travel question, contact

Travelwise: Eco-scorecard to the world’s great attractions

From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the gushing waterfalls of Iguazu, the world’s natural and cultural wonders are meant to be seen and experienced. Tourism is not just good for the traveller, it benefits the local economy in each of these beautiful places.

But as these sites attract hordes of tourists, their protection comes under threat. The world's national parks are faced with great challenges in balancing economic activity and environmental preservation. Our eco-scorecard considers how some of the world's most visited wonders hang in the balance.

Iguazu National Park, Argentina
B+
When Iguazu National Park decided to build a train going up to the world famous Iguazu Falls, some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the world, in the late 1990s, environmentalists were concerned. In the long run, though, it seems the train has reduced the pollution formerly caused by cars and trucks and reduced the number of animals killed by vehicles driving through the park. The park also allows helicopter tours, one factor which Unesco to consider removing Iguazu's status as a World Heritage site since helicopters disturb the park's wildlife. Unesco eventually abandoned the threat because the tour companies now use quiet helicopters and because the park dropped plans to reopen a highway which formerly bisected the natural wonder. Still, perhaps the best, and most eco-friendly, way to view Iguazu Falls is by walking to the trails from the visitor centre and hiking through the jungle's beautiful flora and fauna.

The Serengeti, Tanzania
D
In Tanzania, the government has proposed a development project which could severely endanger the animal kingdom of the Serengeti. A major commercial highway is being planned to cut across the national park, seriously impacting the Great Migration, the route for wildebeests, zebras and other animals. Environmentalists warn that the proposed highway's traffic could turn some of the park's majestic wildlife into roadkill. Construction for the project is slated to begin in 2012, but there are currently campagin stop the building of the 33-mile road and NGOs have takenlegal actino Scientists resulting from the highway hope this issue gets the international attention it needs for the Serengeti to fight an uphill battle.

Pompeii, Italy
F
When Pompeii's 2,000-year-old "House of Gladiators" collapsed in November, followed by the collapse of three more walls in December, critics accused government of failing to preserve the archaeological treasure. Each year, 2.5 million tourists visit the ancient city, which was buried under ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Yet, budget cuts have affected maintenance of the Unesco World Heritage Site. These cuts have left the site's drainage system vulnerable when faced with heavy rains. While some are calling Pompeii to change hands from public to private control, others simply hope the Berlusconi government will respond to the calls for cultural preservation.

Machu Picchu, Peru
A-
Machu Picchu attracts more tourists than any other landmark in Peru. Fortunately, the lack of a direct road from Cuzco to Machu Picchu has stood in the way of cars and trucks intruding on the Inca ruins. In addition, the government banned helicopter tours after Peru's Institute of Natural Resources found low-flying aircrafts to be contributing to the disappearance of a rare species of orchid and the Andean Condor. Environmentalists have also prevented several proposals for building a cable car that would run up to the peak. The main mode of transportation in this World Heritage site is currently a train and hiking the Inca Trail remains a popular, but regulated, option.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
B-
Grand Canyon National Park allows almost every kind of transportation into Grand Canyon Village. Cars and taxis drive along the rim; private companies operate helicopter tours -- albeit with Eco-Star helicopters which reduce noise and emissions; and, there is even a commercial airport right in the middle of the park. The Grand Canyon's saving grace is its free shuttle bus service. Its shuttle buses, most of which run on natural gas, offer express routes dropping hikers off near trails and scenic routes along the rim for those who would rather sit than walk. The national park transportation but still allows cars to avoid detering tourists, especially during the hottest and coldest months of the year.

Travelwise is a BBC Travel column that goes behind the travel stories to answer common questions, satisfy uncommon curiosities and uncover some of the mystery surrounding travel. If you have a burning travel question, contact

Road safety with BMW

The bi-xenon headlamps in the F01 7-series are just as advanced as the rest of the car and are fully adaptive to weather conditions and the road contour. AKA Adaptive Headlight Control

The new headlamp system apparently is able to take into account not only the load on the car (lurching from hard acceleration or braking) but also varies the leveling based on whether you are going up or down a hill/embankment. It adds to this your current speed and comes up with a mathematical answer to what the ideal leveling for your headlight should be at that moment. Interesting..

Speed? Well apparently, if your speeds are below 50km/h then the headlights activate City driving mode which gives enhanced peripheral lighting in order to light up those pesky pedestrians and bicyclers.

Seems like interesting stuff, for sure and BMW has attached some pictures of the system in work with a contour detail of how to system determines what field of range should be lit up in which condition

BMW addresses N54 Turbo Lag!

I figured this deserved a new thread, but for those of you who own an N54 car and are familiar with the dreaded turbo lag issue cropping up from the 29.2 and above software, you'll be delighted to hear the following...

Thanks to our friend Satch Carlson at Roundel who took my letter and others regarding the turbo lag, he was able to track down details on the problem and actually get BMW to admit the problem and announce a software updare.

BMW's official statement is below after Roundel threatened to run all of our letters (which I believe should STILL be run) -- thanks Satch!!

"In an effort to address specific noise concerns, BMW updated the turbocharged engine software on 335i/xi and 535i/xi models built from June 2006 through March 2008. The updated software causes a small amount of increased “turbocharger lag” under certain circumstances and, while not substantial, the lag may be perceptible to the most sensitive BMW drivers. X6, 135i, and 3 Series/5 Series vehicles from March 2008 production onward are not affected. Release of the new software to restore the original turbocharger response is planned for January 2009, and it will be available for vehicles produced from September 2007 through March 2008 when they are brought to an authorized BMW center for a repair which requires a programming update. Clients with vehicles produced from June 2006 through September 2007 may request installation of the January 2009 software update. Clients who get this update should understand that there is a possibility of slightly increased engine noise levels under certain circumstances

BMW 3-series (F30) on the drawing board

This is a photoshop and not an actual picture of a real car!!

Well, believe it or not, BMW is already working on the next generation 3-series just as the new facelift E90s are coming out.

The 3 series accounts for about 44% of BMW sales, so suffice it to say its important and BMW has to get it right every time. BMW is taking its cues from the CS concept and will incorporate both dynacism and elegance all in one.

BMW will also go headstrong with their EfficientDynamics push with the 3 series and are planned to downsize the engine size across the board with increased use of turbos to keep the power levels high.

The next generation car is said to be revealed at the Geneva motor show in 2012.
Should be interesting

(M3 Sold - Replaced with 2010 White Ferrari California) 2008 M3 e93 Melb Red Vert, DCT, M-Drive, EDC, Tech Pkg, Premium Sound, Novillo Extended Leather, Heated Seats, iPod\usb, Dark Tint Windows, Matts, Wind Deflector, Eisenmann Race Exhaust, DTM Rear Spoiler, Matte Black Kidney & Side Grills, Forged 360 Mesh 8 Black Matte 20

Top five parties at the 2011 Venice Carnevale

Raise your glasses and loosen your corsets: Venice Carnevale offers an extra weekend of parties in 2011, extending the city's marathon pre-Lent celebrations to three weeks. Festivities start on 19 February, then will continue 26 February through 8 March, when the city also celebrates International Women's Day. Hence this year’s rather tantalising official theme: ”Venice, City of Women”.

Once this party starts, there is no telling exactly where it will end - Napoleon himself could not stop revellers from indulging incognito in traditional long-nosed plague masks and commedia dell'arte costumes. If the very thought of a three-week costume party makes your liver tickle and wig itch, take a cue from the 18th Century Venetian masqueraders who celebrated Carnevale for up to three months: pace yourself and be selective.

Tickets for gala balls often run 200 to 450 euro, but you do not need deep pockets in your knee-breeches to join the party. Most free, and below are five standout Carnevale 2011 events under 50 euros to kick up your heels in style.

Grand Toast of Venice (19 Feb)
Nothing says Cin-cin! (Cheers!) quite like a wine fountain along Venice's Grand Canal. To inaugurate Carnevale, the libations are free-flowing from 7 to 8 pm in Piazzetta San Marco, the very spot where public executions historically took place. Opera is performed and 19th-century dandy attire is encouraged at this city-sponsored event.

The Secrets of Venice (26, 27 Feb, 3 to 6, 8 Mar)
Revellers were once escorted through Venice's labyrinthine alleys by lantern-bearers who kept their clients amused between stops with sensational and scandalous tales. of Venetian Legends and Ghost Stories, is reviving the tradition in 2011 with the city's most riveting local legends told in English, Italian or French by roving Venetian actors. Carnevale-goers follow these masked storytellers down shadowy calle (sidestreets), infamous as the setting for amorous affairs, murderous plots and other intrigues, and with each unexpected turn, the plot thickens - you will never guess where the story is headed next. Tickets are

Dawn at the Rialto (ongoing)
While everyone else sleeps late during Carnevale, photographers have a secret rendezvous at the Year-round, this historic marble bridge over the Grand Canal is often packed with sightseers and souvenir shoppers by noon - but around dawn during Carnevale, it is a photographer's dream come true. Morning mist lifts like a veil revealing ghostly figures still in masquerade, gliding home at last. Revellers who have lost all track of time between the 18th Century and tomorrow pause on the ancient bridge, greeting one another in pantomime and basking in the first light of day.

Chocolate in Costume (1 March)
Rock a velvet frock-coat and sip gooey hot chocolate with fellow romantics at tucked under the Napoleonic arcades of Cakes await and chocolate starts flowing at 4 pm sharp; tickets are and costumes are required. Not sure what to wear to a 19th Century chocolate binge? Costume pointers for dandies and dames are helpfully provided on the and you can make your own mask in the afternoon at .

The Silent Regatta (8 March)
At midnight on 8 March, Carnevale concludes with a public parade of gondolas down the candle-lit Grand Canal to the mournful tones of a lone trumpeter. When balloons are released in St Mark's Square, Fat Tuesday is officially over, the abstemious season of Lent has begun; and revellers have only a few hundred days to recover before Carnevale begins anew

BMW 750 Li gets iDrive powered owner’s manual

The 2009 BMW 7-Series made its U.S. debut today at the 2008 LA Auto Show. The U.S. will get two variants of the new 7-Series including the 750i and the 750 Li. The outgoing 360-hp 4.8L V8 will be replaced by the 4.4L twin-turbo V8 from the X6 xDrive50i.

That makes an outstanding 400-hp with a maximum torque of 450 lb-ft for the very-large sedan. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, BMW says that fuel-economy was also improved but wouldn’t give us any specific numbers. What they did tell us was that the 2009 BMW 7-Series will be the first car to get its own “Integrated Owner’s Manual.” What does that mean?

That mean your 2009 750i or 750 Li won’t come with a physical book. Instead BMW will deliver the owner’s manual electronically through the iDrive. What happens when iDrive fails to operate? Well, you figure it out

Travelwise: FAQs about the VAT

The British government has come under fire for its New Year’s resolution to raise the Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 17.5% to an all-time high of 20%. The decision comes after a slew of European countries, like Spain and Greek, also imposed increases in the VAT, a federal sales tax.

For travellers, this means higher prices on pretty much everything, said Reid Bramblett, author of ReidGuides, a trip-planning website dedicated to European travel. But in some cases, tourists can receive VAT refunds, he explained. For those of us less familiar with the VAT, Bramblett helped Travelwise tackle a few common questions about this ubiquitous consumption tax.

Q: How does the Value-Added Tax (VAT) work?

A: Well, unlike in the United States, where [sales] taxes are added by each state and they show up at the cash register on the price tag, in much of the rest of the world, the tax is imposed by the federal government and included in the price tag. I think in a lot of ways, psychologically, [the government] can charge much higher taxes because people don't see them. If you're travelling in Europe, it's usually around 20 percent these days, in a lot of places. And it's been going up in the last couple years with the financial crisis.

Q: What kinds of products should tourists expect to pay the VAT on?

A: Everything. The exceptions are things the tourist is not going to run into. It's like, when you buy farm equipment, you're not going to pay the VAT. On most everyday items, there's the VAT and it's included, whether it's a guide to a museum or a hotel room or a restaurant.

As the VAT has gone up, some places have raised their prices and some places have maintained prices and just kept a smaller sliver [of profits]. The government is trying to increase revenue and force wages down by forcing prices up. The euro was a great idea when the economy was booming. Now that it's not, it's become this horrible albatross for European countries, obviously with the UK as an exception.

Q: Can you give some examples of the most recent VAT increases?

A: There were a lot of increases in 2010. Greece went up twice last year [landing at 23%]. A couple are going up this year or just went up, like England. Portugal and Poland just went up to 23% in January. But [most of the recent increases are] in places like Latvia -- not common tourist destinations.

Q: How do the increases vary from country to country?

A: Some places' taxes have jumped a lot. Greece jumped from 19% to 21% to 23%. Hungry had already jumped twice by 2009 and now I think it's at 25%, around the highest in Europe. But still, I lived in Budapest a few months ago and the prices were so low that it didn't really matter. The fact that the UK is going up to 20% puts it more on par with other popular European destinations -- its competitors [tourism-wise]. I think the real issue for [travellers] is the continued relative strength of the pound. It's no longer a punishing 2 to 1, but it's still about 1.6 dollars to the pound, and it's compounded by the high sticker prices.

Like Greece, Ireland and Spain and all the countries you hear about in the news that have had financial problems, their VATs have gone up.

Note: A list of current VAT rates can be found at the an independent international accounting firm.

Q: How can folks travelling on a budget prepare themselves for VAT increases?

A: The ways to save money on travel remain the same. Look for alternative lodgings, [since accommodations] are big-ticket travel items. For example, you can stay in a castle on the Rhine River. People go to the Rhine to look at castles and then they spend maybe 120 euros in a little tourist-class hotel. But, the castles will often [rent out] rooms and charge something like 80 euros. And then you get to stay in a castle! How cool is that?

Overall, however, I have seen prices come down in the past couple years in Europe. No one will admit it, but I know because I keep track of things like the plate of spaghetti in a particular restaurant. Over the last year-and-a-half, I have found myself luckily being able to downgrade hotels that used to be in the moderate price range. If they were like 100 or 120 euros a few years ago, they might be 80 to 100 euros now.

Q: What about VAT refunds? When can tourists file for tax refunds?

A: VAT refunds are primarily useful for large shopping purchases. You usually have to spend a certain amount of money in one place in order to get a refund. [O]ften between $150 and $200. [Refunds are not applicable to hotel stays.]

When it really comes into play is when you're buying either a really expensive item or a whole lot of moderately priced items. Technically, the VAT is only supposed to be charged to citizens. They're not supposed to charge it to non-citizens, for the most part. But, because it would be such a pain-in-the-neck of paperwork, they put these thresholds that you have to reach in order to give you a refund.

Note: Detailed information on how to file for a VAT refund can be found at this guide from Rick Steves' Europe:Travelwise is a BBC Travel column that goes behind the travel stories to answer common questions, satisfy uncommon curiosities and uncover some of the mystery surrounding travel. If you have a burning travel question, contact

LUMMA Design CLR X 650 to be shown at Essen

• Bodykit contains, front spoiler bumper, rear bumper, side skirts, fender extensions
• Exterieur parts in Carbon
• Wheels in dimension 23 inches" and sport lowering suspension kit
• Increased performance and engine optic package
• Interior design in Carbonleather and Alcantara

Only a few weeks did pass by, since the introduction of the BMW X6 to the public, but LUMMA Design already did upgrade the newest BMW model. As one of the first, the Winterlinger based Tuner, offers a complete package for the BMW X6.

Wide body kit LUMMA CLR X 650

The massive bodykit is broadening the Sports SUV 5cm per side by fender extensions, the front bumper with it's day light running lights is adding the CLR X 650 a sportive look, the individual rear bumper with Carbon diffuser, a Carbon sport look front hood with air ducts and the sportive side skirts are rounding up the whole package. Design mirrors, aerodynamic optimized, in Carbon, headlight eyelids and tanned tail lights, replenish the sportive look of the LUMMA CLR X 650.

Wheels in 23" and lowering sport suspension

The matching, new developed and designed wheels in dimension 11x23", LUMMA Racing 3, with Michelin 315/25-23 front and rear, are making out of the CLR X 650, an individual unicum, state of the art.

In combination with the LUMMA lowering sport suspension, lowering the car approx. 35mm, for cars with and without air ride system, the wheels look even bigger than they are. Positive secondary effect: lower point of gravity and a better handling of the car.

Power increase and engine optic package

The BMW 4,4 twin turbo V8 is for sure a powerful engine, "but can even more power be a sin?" For sure not. By reprogramming the electronics in the ECU, LUMMA Design is increasing the power. Another brand new option is the LUMMA GPM (gaspedal power module) for a much better respond of the gas pedal and more dynamic acceleration, a must have for every sport
ambitious driver. Easy to install, plug and play, ready to go on the course.

If you decide to tune the engine or not, the LUMMA engine optic package, will upgrade the engine compartment to perfection. The eyecatcher contains a red coated engine cover and Carbon air intake inlet tubes.

When it comes to sound LUMMA Design made no compromises, a sport exhaust system, with flap technology made out of high quality stainless steel is mounted, which produces a deep and sonorous racing sound. Tail tips, custom made, are upgrading the visual appearance of the CLR X 650.

Interior, individual upgrade for the passenger compartment.

For the passenger compartment of the CLR X 650, LUMMA offers a huge lineup of accessories. Individually refined with the finest leather, LUMMA provides a luxury passenger compartment, a masterpiece of quality, design and style. Tone in tone, handcrafted in the same material and quality, the steering wheel, ergonomic moulded.

The odometers with LUMMA logo, are coated in elegant red, and the scales are extended to 300 km/h. For motorsport feeling, aluminium pedals and a footrest were mounted as well as entry panels. Made out of high quality aluminium, anodized, with the LUMMA logo engraved. Floor mats in best quality with LUMMA emblem embroidered, matching the colour of the
interior, trapped with leather, as well as a boot mat, are rounding up this package.

Last but not least a hightech multimedia system with 7,5 " monitors installed in the custom made headrests, are completing this high class, luxury master piece of German craftsmanship

3-series / M3 C&D 10best award for the 27th year!

No matter how much people complain about each M3 getting heavier and more "fail", its good to see it still a favorite! And for the 335i it's very impressive considering a lot of people think the 1 series does the same for less money in a tighter package

What are the key elements of automotive perfection? From our perspective, the list of qualifications includes eager responses, supple ride quality, smooth power, supportive seats, athletic proportions with limited front overhang, attractive styling with familial features that endure through the generations, a car that is always entertaining to drive

Dubai’s hotel revolution

How times change. When Dubai's distinctively designed hotel Burj Al Arab first opened back in 1999 it was dubbed the world’s first seven-star hotel. Its opening marked the start of this tiny emirate’s race to become the world’s most luxurious destination and the seven-star tag went a long way in driving the international press crazy and, as a result, driving room rates up.

Fast forward 11 years. When I met the current manager of the Burj he was keen to point out that his hotel has never been "seven star" - that the tag was a media-created myth. Playing down ostentatious opulence is now the order of the day here in Dubai and while there are still hotel options for those who prefer bling over B&B, accommodation offerings have become considerably more varied, to match today's value-for-money-obsessed mood.

A couple of years ago, in the very depths of the recession, Sol Kerzner's Atlantis opened on the Palm, with enough fireworks to celebrate the independence day of a small African nation. If you like your rooms big and your entertainment theme-park style then there is plenty on offer for you there. The location, out on the man-made Palm Island, may leave you feeling a little cut off from the shopping malls, beaches and indoor ski slopes but if and when the stalled development on the Palm is completed you may never need venture onto the mainland again.

For a contrast, follow one of the Palm "fronds" to its southern edge and you will find another of Sol Kerzner's hotels: the recently opened One and Only the Palm. Complementing its sister hotel, the Palm exudes chic European elegance against a backdrop of skyscrapers and sand. The feel of the place is a marriage between the old-style villas you would find along the French Riviera and traditional Spanish/Moorish architecture. It shows every sign of becoming one of Dubai's "Signature Destinations".

Dubbed Dubai's first "boutique" hotel, in truth it is a little too big and corporate to carry off that label convincingly, but it definitely feels a world away from the usual high-end high rises we have grown used to in Dubai. Although the bathrooms are still bigger than most people's living rooms, it is all done in an understated and elegant way, a million miles from the gold taps and acres of shag-pile which once defined Dubai.

If you really want to get away from the glitz, but not the glamour, than the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, approximately 40 kms from downturn Dubai, is the spot. Built at the heart of a huge conservation reserve, the hotel has won numerous awards for sustainability and wildlife protection over the past 10 years. It is the only place I know where you can dine out in the desert, underneath the stars while watching herds of wild oryx wander past.

If you are more keen to watch your pennies than counting stars, there are an increasing number of affordable (almost a dirty word here until a couple of years ago) options now available. The Bastakiya area of the old city, hidden among a warren of restored wind towers and traditional family homes, you will find the XVA Art gallery. Its dappled, covered courtyard provides a welcome relief from the midday sun and here you can browse the work of artists from the UAE and the wider Arab world. Upstairs are a dozen or so small rooms, cool, comfortable and all decked out in authentic Arabic style. Reasonably-priced and more of a guest house than a hotel, during the evening you will often stumble on a film or a talk by a local artist in the courtyard below, giving the place a unique cultured, laid back atmosphere.

Perhaps the most exciting innovation in Dubai is the launch of a number of hotels which, although they prefer not to class themselves as budget, are offering rooms at rates which would have been impossible just a couple of years ago. The newest kid on the block is the City Max Hotel in the Al Barsha district. Conveniently located just across the road from the huge Mall of the Emirates, this hotel is very much modelled on the Holiday Inn Express theme but with a quirky local twist (check out the Warhol-inspired camel portraits in the lobby!). Clean, safe and user-friendly, the rooms may not be huge, but thanks to clever design they use every last inch smartly. With a low price fixed room rate from around 250 AED per night you can now "Do Dubai" without blowing your travel budget for the rest of the year

Scott's Antarctic samples give climate clues

Samples of a marine creature collected during Captain Scott's Antarctic trips are yielding data that may prove valuable in projecting climate change.

The expeditions in the early 1900s brought back many finds including samples of life from the sea floor.

Comparing these samples with modern ones, scientists have now shown that the growth of a bryozoan, a tiny animal, has increased in recent years.

They say this means more carbon dioxide is being locked away on the ocean bed.

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“Start Quote

Scott really should be given more credit for some of the scientific work they did”

End Quote David Barnes BAS

The tiny bryozoan, Cellarinella nutti, looks like a branching twig that has been stuck into the sea floor.

It grows during the period in the year when it can feed, drawing plankton from the water with its tentacles.

The length of the feeding season is reflected in the size of the annual growth band - just as with tree rings.

Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have just published an analysis of growth rates in samples collected in the Ross Sea.

This is the Antarctic region where Capt Robert Falcon Scott moored during both the Discovery expedition of 1901-04 and the Terra Nova expedition a decade later, in which he lost his life attempting to return from the South Pole

Other projects have since collected bryozoan samples at the same site, while the Census of Marine Life has increased the flow of data over the past decade

Putting all this data together has allowed researchers to show that the creatures grew roughly the same amount each year until about 1990.

Since then, there has been a steady increase, with the annual growth rate now being more than double the 20th Century average.

The BAS scientists suggest this means that the bryozoans are now eating for longer, which means they are eating more phytoplankton - the tiny marine plants that draw dissolved CO2 from seawater.

"This is important because it's locking away carbon," said lead researcher David Barnes.

"The 'branches' of the bryozoans break off and are easily buried, and we've seen that - so burial is taking carbon out of circulation," he told BBC News.

The team suggests this is acting to increase the size of the carbon sink - the absorption and storage of CO2 - in the Southern Ocean.

However, other researchers have concluded that the Southern Ocean is progressively absorbing less CO2.

The Global Carbon Project, an international research network, concluded four years ago that the size of the global sink fell by 18% in the period 2000-06, with a large chunk of that decrease registered in the Southern Ocean.

"Winds there have accelerated over the last 50 years, and it's thought this is speeding up the mixing in the Southern Ocean and bringing to the surface deep water that's rich in CO2," said Corinne Le Quere, a member of the Global Carbon Project and director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research।

So we have observations of this physical process, but the biological activity we don't have much information about; if you're mixing the ocean more, how are organisms responding?

"Usually in my experience the biological response compensates a bit, but not enough [to counteract the physical change]; and the fact that you have this one organism with higher growth rates doesn't say how much this is going to affect the carbon balance."

If the new research does not shed too much light on the likely progression of climate change, it does help us put the achievements of Captain Scott and his colleagues in a new light.

Despite the hardships inherent in polar exploration, both expeditions made the collection of scientific samples a top priority - including retrieving samples from the sea bed at a depth of half a kilometre using trawls.

"Prior to this, I tended to associate success in the Antarctic with people like Amundsen and Shackleton - Scott, I thought, doesn't have the same attachment to success," said Dr Barnes.

"But now I view things differently, and I think in 100 years' time people will still be using the collections he made - they're extensive and high quality, and in fact we struggled to find collections made after that that were as good.

"He really should be given more credit for some of the scientific work they did

ALMS M3 Racecar Being Tested at Road Atlanta, Sebring

Autoblog: Motorsports fans are eagerly anticipating the 2009 ALMS season where Ferrari, Porsche, Panoz, Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet and now BMW will be competing for the GT2 title. BMW Motorsport unveiled the new M3 racing program back in February of this year and have been developing the car in Europe since then. They recently handed off the car to Rahal Letterman Racing who tested the car this past week at Road Atlanta and are currently running laps at Sebring International Raceway. BMW also announced the first two drivers for the program, Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand, both of whom have extensive experience driving previous versions of the M3. Auberlen first drove for BMW in 1996 and won titles in 1997 and 2004. The M3 will make its 2009 racing debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 21.


PRESS RELEASE:

BMW of North America, LLC and Rahal Letterman Racing have named Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand as the first two drivers of the new M3s for BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team in the 2009 American Le Mans Series. In choosing Auberlen and Hand, BMW of North America has picked two of the most successful BMW drivers in the world and two of the most familiar names to M3 racing fans here in North America.

Auberlen, 40, of Redondo Beach, CA first drove for BMW of North America in 1996 when he joined the previous M3 racing program, then in its second year of competition. Auberlen would go on to become the team’s most successful driver, winning driver titles in both 1997 and 2004. When he takes the green flag at Sebring International Raceway for the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 21, Auberlen will have the distinction of having raced every generation of BMW M3 campaigned by BMW of North America.

Hand, 29, of Sacramento, CA joined the previous M3 racing program in 2004 and raced through the 2006 season. Coming from a background in open wheel racing, Hand quickly adapted to the M3 and endurance racing. He drove to five wins and 17 podium finishes for BMW of North America in three seasons, many of those races partnered with Auberlen.

“BMW of North America is very pleased to have Bill and Joey on the team,” said Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America Motorsport Manager. “Their experience with setup, GT racing and their raw speed will support the competitiveness of BMW’s GT2 campaign in the ALMS. I have known both of them for many years, and besides being fast, they’re both a lot of fun to work with. I am looking forward to seeing them pedal our newest BMW M3 racer.”

“My emotions are really high. I feel like I am going back home to my family. To be a part of racing at the level that BMW brings is a dream for any driver,” said Bill Auberlen. “I am really looking forward to being teamed up again with Joey. It’ll be exciting to be on a team headed by a legend and racing icon like Bobby Rahal. I am really looking forward to 2009.”

“I’m very excited to be back in the BMW family and to be driving a BMW M3 again. I built quite a fan base within the BMW community and I can’t wait to put on a show for them again,” added Joey Hand. “I am looking forward to working with a top-notch team such as Rahal Letterman Racing. Bobby helped me earlier in my career so we have a good relationship. I can’t wait to get started!”

Since the program’s announcement in February 2008, the ALMS BMW M3 has been developed and tested by BMW Motorsport in Europe. This month begins the official handoff to BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team with two more tests in the United States.

“If you are going to start a new BMW team in the United States, it is nearly impossible to find a pair of drivers with more success or more experience with BMWs than Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand,” said Rahal Letterman Racing’s Bobby Rahal. “Bill is one of the most successful American sedan drivers of the decade and Joey has more than displayed his ability to run right with him, so we expect this driver pairing to be a strong one for the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team.”

Four test days are scheduled for November 19-20 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA, and Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, FL on Nov. 24-25. The tests will see BMW Motorsport drivers Jorg Muller, Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus behind the wheel of the test car.


Birkmann continues, “Key BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team personnel have been involved in the European testing, but now the two November tests will see them take a larger role. BMW of North America is confident that when our complete team and new M3s arrive at the track early next year we will have built a solid foundation for success

A Cuban cigar for women: Julieta says goodbye to Romeo

Cuba's state-owned tobacco company is wooing women, with their very own version of the famous Havana cigar. But is cigar-smoking destined to remain a man's world?

Hundreds of cigar distributors, businessmen and tobacco lovers are descending on Cuba this week for the annual Havana cigar festival.

The world of Habano smokers is predominantly male, but the island's largest cigar manufacturer has now set its sights on the other half of the world's population - women

Last year, the company Habanos - an arm of Cubatabaco, the country's national tobacco company - announced a mission to overcome perceptions among women that Cuban cigars are made up of "only strong tobacco for men".

The result is the Julieta, a milder version of the renowned, strong-flavoured Romeo Y Julieta brand, which was founded in 1873.

Until now, cigars marketed specifically at women have tended to be flavoured or extremely mild cigarellos - a short, narrow cigar.

The Julieta is bigger, 4.75 inches (12cm) long, 0.5 inches (13mm) wide, and far more pungent.

Are women ready for it?

Berlin clubs Women have long association with cigar smoking - according to anthropologists, ancient Mayan women were just as likely as their menfolk to smoke dried tobacco

But in modern times it has never really taken off

In the 1930s, Marlene Dietrich was often photographed with a cigar hanging seductively from her lips. It is likely that she first took up cigars in 1920s Berlin, suggests CigarWoman.com, where women's cigar-smoking clubs flourished.

"Cigar clubs back then served as both networking and social outlets for 'progressive,' ie, 'renegade,' women. Because cigars were still considered the property of men, female cigar clubs in the US sprang up in secret," it writes.

And, in the mid-1990s, cigar smoking for women was given a glamorous boost by celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Jodie Foster, Demi Moore, Madonna, Drew Barrymore and model Linda Evangelista, who were pictured smoking cigars.

Magazine articles declared that women were just as likely to be holding business lunches as men and that celebrating this with a symbol of success - a cigar - was de rigueur.

"Fifteen years ago, the industry was in a boom - cigars for everyone was in vogue. There was no smoking ban," says Lindsay M Heller, the only female tobacconist in New York.

"It was seen as cool, and it was not uncommon to see women joining their partners for a smoke. They thought it looked great. You saw female celebrities smoking cigars. But this is no longer the case. No-one wants to be caught promoting smoking."

Taboo

It's taboo, says Ms Heller. "There is still a stigma associated with woman smoking cigars. It is rare in the States to see women smoking cigars outside. The ones who do smoke prefer the comfort of their homes and yards."

Last year during the Winter Olympics in Canada, members of the women's hockey team celebrated a gold medal with a cigar and beer - and were immediately embroiled in controversy.

One official at the IOC said it was not a good promotion of "sporting values". Commentators sniffed double standards. Had it been a male team, they asked, would we have cared? Would we be griping if it were the boys sharing a celebratory smoke?

According to Ms Heller, there is still a "machismo factor" associated with cigar smoking.

"Women who smoke cigars are often teased, and they simply don't want to hear it" she says.

But while few women smoke in public, anecdotally, Ms Heller says there is a significant number of women who enjoy the taste, aroma and cachet of premium cigars.

"We are smoking the same size and strength as those marketed at men. As a woman who has worked hard in the business, I find it an insult to be marketed to differently," she says

Gordon Mott, executive editor of Cigar Aficionado magazine, says that while cigar smoking is still predominantly a male pursuit, women make up a significant but "hidden" part of the market.

"Cigar Aficionado has a circulation of some 300,000, and we believe that about 5% of that is women," he says.

"These are women who appreciate the complexity and flavour of the same cigars that men smoke."

According to Habanos, women make up only 5-10% of their market - which does not include the US because of the trade embargo imposed against Cuba in 1962.

Maple, apple and cherry

But the research company Euromonitor International estimates that womens' share of the market is a lot lower than that.

"There are no precise figures on the female market, but it's not more than 1% of the total cigar-smoking market," says tobacco analyst Don Hedley.

"In the US, there have been signs of a growing interest by women in cigars over the past few years, but it's not amazing," he says

What you are really talking about is women switching from cigarettes to flavoured cigarellos. They are big in the US market."

In most countries cigar smoking is fundamentally associated with men, he says. It is countries where there is a gender neutral smoking culture where you see a higher number of women smoking cigars.

According to Mr Hedley, Denmark stands out as having a relatively high proportion of female cigar smokers.

"This is to do with the level of tradition and culture and how socially acceptable it is. It was very trendy in the 1990s for both genders to smoke cigars and there was no brand differentiation between men and women."

In some countries, sales of cigars reflect the success of the economy there. For example, cigar smoking is growing fast in China. But, there is no evidence that women are a significant part of that trend, says Mr Hedley.

However, in Japan - where there are as yet no smoking bans - research suggests that some 10% of cigar smokers may be female. But they favour flavoured cigars, such as maple, apple and cherry.

'Celebration of women' There is no doubt that in some countries, a growing number of women and men are taking to cigars because they are seen as a status symbol

n Brazil, there are a growing number of younger people turning to cigars. Woman are joining that trend because the are economically able to."

Similarly, he says, research indicates that in South Africa, a growing number of women are smoking "for the excitement and novelty". They belong to what is known as the "Black Diamond" market - high-earning, aspirational black South Africans.

According to Habanos, the new Julieta is also intended to celebrate the women who work in Cuba's tobacco industry, at every step of the process.

But ironically, says Ms Heller, "The women who work in the industry smoke exactly the same cigars as the men