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Drink Spain dry!

Viva Espagna! An armada of Spanish wine is heading to Phuket. On April 29, Wine Connection Chalong will host a tasting of the renowned vintages of Spain's Vallformosa Winery. With six different tipples accompanied by tapas and a live band, revellers can paint the town red without ever having to men¬tion their political affiliations. Tasting will start at 6.30 and go on until the last bottle's dry.

For a table, call (076) 282 411 or email fb.phuket@wineconnection.co.th.

A marathon holiday in Phuket

The 2009 Laguna Phuket International Marathon will take place on Sunday, June 14 at the beachfront resort complex in Thailand's seaside playground.

This annual race regularly draws more than 4,000 runners - about 1,500 flying in from more than 40 foreign countries. The event comprises a 42-kilometre marathon, a half-marathon, a 10.5km run, a two-km kids run and a five-km walk.

 The weekend kicks-off on Friday, June 12 with a two-day expo featuring sponsor booths, welcome pasta party and charitable reception, and ends with a farewell party on race day.

Register at www.PhuketMarathon.com by June 5.

Two wheels to Borneo's beauty

Hit Borneo's dirt paths with the Bangkok-based SpiceRoads. The cycletour operator has just introduced an 11day "Untamed Borneo" holiday. Designed for novice and expert mountain-bikers alike, this is a trip through the finest scenery of Northern Borneo along a route that includes the Danum Valley, Kinabatagan River, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and more. The distances are modest and things start flat but get hillier towards the end of the adventure - set a low gear for Mount Kinabalu. Visit www.SpiceRoads.com.

Some airlines soar higher than others

Hong Kong won big at this year's SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, its airport and flag-carrier taking off with the most prestigious awards.

Cathay Pacific pipped Singapore to win Airline of the Year, while Hong Kong International soared highest with globetrotters, who voted it best airport.

Less prestigious but perhaps more significant for most passengers are the Best Economy Class and Best Cabin Staff, which were won by Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines, respectively.

Thai Airways International suffered turbulence to land back in the year's top 10 airlines, though it plunged sharply from fourth to 10th. THAI was buffeted up by highflyers, however, who gave it the nod for Best First Class Lounge.

Bangkok Airways winged its way to Best Regional Airline, while AirAsia powered up to become Best LowCost Airline.