Jetsettersblog

Set Your Watch to Broome Time

With its balmy climate, breathtaking scenery and rich culture, a visit to Broome in Western Australia’s North West will have you feeling as if you’re worlds away – when in fact, you’re less than five hours away from the east coast.

Broome is where the outback meets the ocean. The lifestyle is laidback and relaxed, boasting its own “Broome Time” - an expression used by locals to describe the slower pace of life that is uniquely Broome.

Once considered to be inaccessible by many East coast travellers, there’s never been a better time to plan your escape to Broome and beyond, with Qantas having launched direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne.

The flights are fantastic news for travellers, with flight durations just four and a half hours from Melbourne and five hours from Sydney.

In addition, there are some wonderful accommodation specials on offer to celebrate the new flights.

Stay at the Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort during April or May 2008 for the special nightly rate of $245 (Studio Room), $310 (One Bedroom Apartment), $399 (Two Bedroom Apartment) or $475 (Three Bedroom Villa). These prices also include hot daily breakfast, transfers to/from airport and beach, free welcome kids gift (max 2), late checkout, two for one camel rides and discount off Willie Creek Pearl tours.

From 1 April to 31 May, stay for a minimum of four nights at the luxurious Cable Beach Club for $154 per person per night twin share and in addition you’ll receive complimentary return Broome airport transfers and full buffet breakfast daily in the Sunset Bar & Café overlooking spectacular Cable Beach.

There’s so much to explore in Broome. The town has a rich culture that is shaped by its pearling history when Japanese, Filipino and Malay pearl divers arrived in the town to make their fortune from the wealth of South Sea Pearls. Today, visitors enjoy exploring the pearl showrooms which line the streets of Chinatown.

Aboriginal culture is also a significant aspect of the region and there are numerous art galleries and cultural centres to visit.

If adventure’s what you’re looking for – there’s plenty right on Broome’s doorstep. You can enjoy a helicopter flight over the Horizontal Waterfalls or the Bungle Bungle Range or try 4wd’ing to Cape Leveque.

For more information visit http://www.westernaustralia.com/  For flight details visit http://www.qantas.com.au/

Soccer Fever At Swissotel Sydney

SYDNEY, – Swissôtel Sydney will be abuzz with soccer fever on Sunday 8 June, for the opening match between Switzerland and Czech Republic.

Don the Swiss or Czech Republic colours and enjoy hearty Swiss dishes and Czeh beer, ‘Trumer Pils’. It is all about national pride, so strike a goal by scoring prizes on the night with Playstation games and goal scoring competitions organised before the opening ceremony.

Sleep off the post-match win (or blues) with our special accommodation rate of $229* room only.

The event is held on Sunday 8 June, from 1am at $60 per person. Bookings are essential as limited seats are available. Contact Ashleigh Kajan on 02 9238 8810 or visit Swissotel Sydney online at http://www.sydney.swissotel.com/

*Accommodation is subject to availability. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Terms and Conditions apply.

Swissôtel Sydney (http://www.sydney.swissote.com/) is located above MYER, centrally positioned amongst Sydney’s prime tourist, shopping and entertainment districts. The 359 beautifully appointed rooms and suites offer breathtaking views of the city skyline. It is unquestionably one of the city’s finest hotels and promises every guest an experience to be treasured.

After a day of enjoying all that Sydney has to offer, guests can choose to either indulge themselves at the tranquil Amrita Spa, laze by the outdoor heated pool, sip a cocktail at the Crossroads Bar or sample the fine cuisine on offer at Jpb restaurant.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts (www.swissotel.com  is a distinctive group of deluxe hotels for today’s discerning business and leisure travellers, combining the renowned Swiss touch with a fresh, modern and contemporary design. Each Swissôtel hotel offers personalised service with charm and efficiency. Located in main gateway destinations and city centres, the hotels have convenient access to business and shopping districts, and local attractions. Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts worldwide have won prestigious awards and accolades.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with over 80 hotels in 25 countries worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.

Australian Wife Carrying Championships

Australia is once again holding what must be one of the most unusual ‘sports’ competitions ever invented - The National Australian Wife Carrying Championships – with the winners set to represent the country in the Wife Carrying World Championships to be held in Sonkajarva, Finland, on July 7. The event is sponsored by The Finnish Tourist Board and Finnair.

The Australian Wife Carrying titles will be held at the annual Singleton Countryfest in NSW on Saturday April 12 and there is expected to be fierce competition as men and women of all sizes vie to win the Australian title and go on to the world finals.

Last year’s Australian champions, local duo Anthony Partridge and Angela Moore –who fought off some particularly strong international competition - came a credible 5th in the World Championships in Finland.

This year they will not be competing –leaving the door open to some fresh competition and possibly some new, and more refined, wife carrying techniques. Anthony Partridge will though do a special Exhibition Performance in conjunction with former Olympic swimmer Giann Rooney, showing off his well honed wife carrying techniques.

The race track will be a minimum 200 metres in length, consisting of hurdles, limbo bars, water course and a sand trap.

Like all elite sports, long gone are the days when the wife was slung, indiscriminately, over the shoulder and left hanging on for grim death. The techniques have been subtly refined over they years to counteract bounce and the pull of gravity – especially with the hurdles - which were counter-active forces for contestants. An iron grip is also essential – both for the males and females. Screaming is frowned upon as it is seen as a form of sledging.

Local power lifter Dave Vaughan will attempt to carry special guest Irish sports junkie Julia Galvin in the Charity Wife Carrying Event – no mean feat – to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia.

The events will be called by 2GB Rugby League announcers Darryl Brohman, Bob Fulton, Ray Hadley and Steve Roach and will be transmitted through 64 radio stations along with a live broadcast from Power Fm.

The National Australian Wife Carrying Championships are sponsored by Finnair and the Finnish Tourist Board. “This event has really touched a spot with this sports loving country,” Finnish Tourist Board local representative Satu Raunola said. “Aussies are highly competitive and their wife carrying techniques really rate up there with the best in the world. I think they could soon be bringing the World Championship title back to Australia,” Raunola said.

To enter the competition register at http://www.countryfest.com.au/

*The event is only one of many unique events staged in Finland each year. For more information, please visit www.sonkajarvi.fi/?deptid=15136  For more information on Finland’s crazy events, visit the Finnish Tourist Board’s new Australian website: www.visitfinland.com/au/events

The Observatory Hotel Celebrates 15 Years

Sydney, Australia: – In February of 1993, Sydney’s hospitality industry changed forever with The Observatory Hotel opening its doors and rapidly becoming the hotel of choice for Sydney’s social set and prestigious international guests alike.

The hotel has since developed a global reputation for quality service, elegant style and overall dedication to excellence. And with more than fifty awards collected over the fifteen years of operation, the hotel continues to operate with the classic and unruffled efficiency of an English country manor house while at the same time being an unmistakably Australian property.

The longevity of a hotel business within a turbulent tourism industry, quite simply, requires two things; a dedicated team of staff ‘front and back of house’ and, at its head, a visionary industry leader. The vast majority of The Observatory Hotel’s success to date can be attributed to the fact that it has had both these assets throughout its 15-year history.

The hotel’s Managing Director, Mr Patrick Griffin, is the longest serving five-star hotel general manager in Australia, having been at the helm of the property since its opening.

“This hotel operates very much like a large and sophisticated house party,” he says. “It has been in full swing for 15 years and I am delighted to say it shows no sign of slowing down.”

Michael Anderson, Chief Concierge and one of a number of senior staff who was with Patrick when the hotel opened fifteen years ago agrees, the party will go on.

“ I have had the honour of serving kings, sheikhs, prime ministers, film stars and rock ‘n’ roll royalty over the years at The Observatory Hotel and it’s our gimmick-free devotion to service that is as is as fresh and welcome today as it was 15 years ago.

“In that respect, and in many others, this is a truly timeless hotel,” he says. “It’s unique. Its type just doesn’t exist anywhere else.”

Just ask Kylie Minogue, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Sam Neil, John Farnham, Tom Jones, Sir Richard Branson and the scores of other celebrity guests who have slipped in through the glass doors and been wrapped up in the hotel’s luxurious hospitality.

To celebrate the hotel’s 15th anniversary, a number of special offers are now available at the hotel ranging from free spa treatments in the Day Spa, discounted degustation dinners in the award-winning restaurant, Galileo and a promotional offer on all suite accommodation booked for stays in 2008.

For more information on The Observatory Hotel and the special offers available, please visit www.observatoryhotel.com.au or phone +61 2 8248 5220.

15th Anniversary Offers.

1. Sweet Fifteen

Throughout 2008, reservations made for Junior and Executive Suites will attract a 15% discount when guests quote ‘Sweet Fifteen’ at time of booking. Discounted Suite accommodation starts from $420 per room per night and offer is valid until 26.12.08.

2. Galileo Restaurant

Experience Chef Haru Inukai’s celebrated and beautiful blend of traditional French cuisine with tantalising Japanese influences.

Five-course degustation menu costs $65 per person
Seven-course degustation menu costs $85 per person

Offer available from Sunday to Thursday nights until 30th June 2008.

3. Day Spa at The Observatory Hotel

Now is your chance to experience Day Spa’s signature treatments by taking advantage of this one-time 15th anniversary special offer. Book a Poultice Therapy Experience and receive either The Observatory Full Body Exfoliation or The Observatory Hydrating Wrap as an added treat from us to you.

The 15th Anniversary Treatment costs $225 and is 1hr 45mins in length (save $95.00) and valid until 26.12.08.

Captain Cook Cruises Mother’s Day Deals

Can’t afford to take Mum to Italy this Mother’s Day? Well Captain Cook Cruises is bringing Italy to Mum onboard the MV Sydney 2000 with a special Mother’s Day “Opera Italiano” Dinner Cruise on Sunday May 11th and best of all purchase one ticket and get another one free.

Mum’s will be spoilt rotten onboard the prestigious MV Sydney 2000 - the official vessel for Pope Benedict XVI for World Youth Day 08. Her evening will start with exclusive window seating offering uninterrupted viewing of the most beautiful harbour in the world, followed by a mouth-watering three course meal with Italian accent and live entertainment by an Opera singer performing popular Arias and classic hits of Italy.

The Mother’s Day “Opera Italiano” Dinner Cruise departs No.6 Jetty Circular Quay at 7.00pm on May 11th and returns at 9.30pm.

Prices are $124 per person for the first person and free for the second person!

Also available on Mother’s Day is Captain Cook Cruises Mothers Day Buffet Lunch and Top Deck Lunch Cruise onboard the MV Sydney 2000.

The Mothers Day Buffet Lunch features Sydney rock oysters or mussels, ocean king prawns, succulent fish, plus a full range of non-seafood and vegetarian dishes, dessert, cheeses and coffee. A full commentary of the sights of Sydney Harbour is also provided. Prices are $64 for adults, $49 Concession and $30 for children (5-14yrs).

The Mother’s Day Top Deck Lunch Cruise is a delicious 3 course contemporary Australian a la carte menu with personalised service. Mum can also take in all the harbour sights while relaxing to ambient music. Prices are $74 for adults, $65 Concession and $49 for children (5-14yrs).

Both cruises depart No.6 Jetty Circular Quay at 12.30pm on May 11th and return to Circular Quay at 3.00pm.

 

 

New Australian VISA for students

A new work and holiday visa arrangement between Australia and the USA allows 18 to 30 year old American students and recent graduates to work in Australia for a 12 month period.

Australia is the first country with which the United States has entered into a work and holiday visa arrangement. Whilst the GAP year has been popular for years in Australia and Europe, it is a new concept for American students, and one that is becoming increasingly attractive. Princeton University recently announced its new ‘bridge year’ program allowing students to defer enrollment for a year so that they can go abroad. Geoff Buckley, Managing Director of Tourism Australia said Australia has long been extremely popular with Americans of all ages, and particularly young Americans.

US citizens wishing to come to Australia must be aged 18 to 30 and can either apply for the visa over the internet or by completing an application form and lodging it with the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate.

Visit: www.australia.com/workinoz  for more information.

What is the purpose of the Work and Holiday visa? The Work and Holiday visa programme provides opportunities for young people for social and cultural exchange and promotes mutual understanding between Australia and other nations.

What is the duration of the visa and can it be renewed? The Work and Holiday visa allows a stay of up to 12 months in Australia. What are the eligibility requirements for the visa? US citizens wishing to come to Australia must:

-be aged 18 to 30 inclusive

-be outside of Australia when they apply for and are granted the visa

-show evidence that they are enrolled in a post secondary course of study or hold post secondary qualifications

-have a return ticket or sufficient funds for a return or onward fare as well as sufficient funds for the first part of their stay, and meet health and character requirements.

What is the definition of “student” under the arrangement? The definition of “student” is a person who is currently studying or deferred, or a person who has graduated from a post-secondary institution within the previous 12 months. Australia will include all graduates of post secondary courses. What opportunities are there for young people who are not post secondary students or do not have a post secondary qualification? Young US citizens may be eligible under the Youth from the US Programme, which is a four month work programme for people sponsored under this arrangement.

Can visa holders work? US citizens holding a Work and Holiday visa in Australia can work for each employer for up to six months and are able to work for the entire 12 months of the visa. There are no restrictions on the typ e of work that may be undertaken.

Can visa holders study? US citizens holding a visa in Australia can study for up to four months. There is no restriction on the type of study.

Where do I apply for this visa? US citizens can either apply for the visa over the internet or by completing an application form and lodging it with the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate. Application forms will be available on the internet and from Australian Embassies from the date the arrangement commences.

Where can I find further information on the program? US citizens can find further information about traveling to Australia at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website.

See this link for details.

Virgin Blue And Vietnam Airlines Agreement

Virgin Blue and Vietnam Airlines have announced a comprehensive interline agreement which will provide international travellers with seamless connections from Melbourne and Sydney to Vietnam and beyond as well as to 22 Australian cities via Virgin Blue’s domestic network.

The agreement offers a range of benefits for travellers including full baggage check through from point of origin to port of destination. No collecting and re-checking baggage and convenient transfer of Guests from domestic to international airports in Australia.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “This agreement with Vietnam Airlines brings the number of Virgin Blue code-share and interline agreements to ten. It’s a significant new association as it means Virgin Blue Guests will now have the option of convenient travel to one of Asia’s most interesting and popular destinations. We are pleased to be partnering with a reputable carrier such as Vietnam Airlines, to offer more choice for leisure and business travellers.

Mr Phong Quang Nguyen, Vietnam Airlines General Manager Australia and New Zealand, said, “We are pleased to be an interline partner of the fast-growing Virgin Blue Group of Airlines and we strongly believe that such a partnership will help create increased links between the two countries as well as enhance the travel experience for our passengers”.

The new interline partnership means Virgin Blue Guests who book international travel with Vietnam Airlines can travel from anywhere on Virgin Blue’s domestic network via Melbourne or Sydney to any of Vietnam Airlines 41 international and 18 Domestic destinations.

Vietnam Airlines offers daily non-stop flights from Australia to Vietnam, four times per week from Sydney and three times from Melbourne with a young fleet of Boeing 777’s. Passengers flying Vietnam Airlines via Vietnam to North Asian or European cities can enjoy free and attractive stopover packages in Vietnam.

Multi award winning airline Virgin Blue and international carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 63 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 24 Australian and eight international destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga,

Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. Visit http://www.virginblue.com.au/  for more information.

Vietnam Airlines is the national airline of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Currently Vietnam Airlines offers flights to 41 International destinations in the Asia, Europe & Australia region and 18 cities inside Vietnam. Visit http://www.vietnamair.com.vn/

JERSEY BOYS at The Palazzo Resort Vegas

Phone: (702) 414-9000

Toll Free: (866) 641-7469

Tickets: Prices range from $65, $95 and $135 + a service fee – VIP seating is available

www.VenetianTickets.com or www.JerseyBoysInfo.com

LISTING INFORMATION FOR JERSEY BOYS

Previews start April 4; Grand Opening Gala May 3

Tickets On Sale Now

JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is the newest musical phenomenon to hit The Strip at The Palazzo. JERSEY BOYS is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty. The show features such hits as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Oh, What a Night” and many more. Presented in Las Vegas in a custom-built, multi-million dollar theatre, JERSEY BOYS, will be the same production fans all over the world have come to know and love.

Gala Opening – May 3, 2008

The JERSY BOYS Las Vegas schedule is as follows:

Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 7 p.m.

Tuesday and Saturday: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Wednesday: Dark

Asia Transpacific Journeys Custom Travel to India

Asia Travel Company Emphasizes Cultural Immersion, Luxury Travel India

BOULDER, CO, April 2008 — India is emerging as one of the world’s must-see travel destinations. Asia Transpacific Journeys, a luxury Asia travel company specializing in Custom Travel to India and in-depth Small Group Trips throughout India, sheds light on how to make sense of travel to India and its complexities

Columbia Queen to Replace Queen of the West

Majestic America Line said it would bring the Columbia Queen into service early to operate the April 13 Columbia River cruise. It replaces the Queen of the West, which sustained damage in a small engine room fire on April 8.

The company said it would accommodate Queen of the West guests on the Empress of the North as needed. Guests on the April 6 seven-night roundtrip from Portland, Ore., were evacuated after the fire and were transported by bus to Skamania Lodge, Ore. They will receive a full reimbursement for their cruise and a certificate for 50 percent off any published Majestic America Line cruise within the next 12 months. This offer is good for a seven-day cruise to any of our destinations, including Columbia River, Mississippi River and Alaska’s Inside Passage.

For more information, visit http://www.majesticamericaline.com/