Jetsettersblog

Celebrates the Green Spaces of San Francisco

One-of-a-Kind Packages and Insider Tips Give Guests a Local’s View And Exclusive Access to the Best Parks In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – Galleria Park Hotel has announced that its specialized “Galleria Park Suggests” — or GPS — program will focus on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and historic Presidio park from July through September, 2008. With exclusive access and activities, GPS provides guests the opportunity to see and experience the city as local San Franciscans would. The hotel’s “GPS Urbanite” and “GPS Town & Country” summer packages feature a 37% discount and are available for immediate booking.

The “GPS Urbanite” package includes bike rentals for two at Avenue Cyclery, located at the entrance of San Francisco’s famed Golden Gate Park. Guests will receive tickets to San Francisco’s de Young Museum and a map featuring insider tips on must-see attractions in Golden Gate Park including the Conservatory of Flowers, Bison Paddock, Japanese Tea House & Gardens, Cavalry Stables, Rainbow Falls, Dutch Windmill, Wilhelmina Tulip Garden and the Frisbee Golf Course. Guests will enjoy a sampling of select beers brewed onsite at the famed Park Chalet, which boasts spectacular ocean and garden views. The “GPS Urbanite” package also includes $100 towards dinner for two at the Presidio Social Club, San Francisco’s hottest new restaurant, located in the historic Presidio.

The “GPS Town & Country” package takes guests on a day-long excursion across the Golden Gate Bridge to Mount Tamalpais and Stinson Beach. Guests will drive an environmentally-friendly Prius equipped with a GPS system and receive a detailed map of hiking trails throughout Mount Tamalpais, one of California’s most acclaimed hiking regions with giant old growth coastal redwood trees.

The package includes $100 towards a sumptuous lunch or dinner at the historic Sand Dollar Restaurant & Bar, located in charming Stinson Beach and famous for its al fresco dining and live music. Also included in the “GPS Town & Country” are bike rentals for two at Avenue Cyclery, tickets to San Francisco’s de Young Museum, a sampling of select beers at Park Chalet and $100 toward dinner for two at Presidio Social Club.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park offers 1,017 acres of man-made parkland. Larger than New York City’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park is an urban sanctuary; its natural beauty, many attractions and pedestrian-only streets make it ideal for locals and visitors alike. The Presidio, which served as an army post for 218 years, is now a National Historic Landmark and hosts more than 5 million visitors annually. The park features 1,491 acres of hiking trails, historic buildings, beaches and a golf course with breathtaking views of the California coastline.

With behind-the-scenes information about unusual options for travelers, Galleria Park‘s GPS program delivers what travelers are seeking – insiders’ access to the most compelling events and destinations the city has to offer. The “GPS” program offers a neighborhood map highlighting the Top 10 “What the Locals Know” Tips on things to do and see, daily recommendations for special deals, monthly educational salon events about San Francisco arts and culture, customized tours with Golden Gate Greeters, a daily Architecture Walking Tour, as well as packages tailored for guests looking to gain insight and access to experiences not found in the standard travel guidebook.

Rates begin at $859 for “GPS Urbanite” package, which requires a two-night minimum stay (offered Friday – Sunday or Saturday – Monday). Rates begin at $1339 for “GPS Town & Country” package, which requires a three-night minimum stay (offered Thursday – Monday). Both packages include complimentary valet parking. The packages are subject to availability, require an advance deposit, and are subject to a seven-day cancellation policy. Packages do not include taxes or gratuity.

Reservations can be made by visiting www.jdvhotels.com/galleriapark  or by calling (800) 792-9639 or (415) 781-3060.

The eclectic Victorian, Deco and Modern-inspired Galleria Park Hotel is one of the only boutique alternatives in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District, just blocks away from famous high-end shopping such as Versace, Ferragamo, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani , San Francisco favorite Gump’s and the soon-to-open Prada flagship store on the West Coast. The hotel is operated by San Francisco-based boutique hotelier Joie de Vivre Hospitality, and has recently undergone a $7.1 million renovation of its 95-year-old landmark building and is set to unveil a new restaurant concept in late 2008. A unique mixture of elements from different keras reflects the hotel’s historic pedigree while creating a warm, glamorous and modern ambiance.

About Joie de Vivre Hospitality

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre Hospitality (www.jdvhospitality.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California’s largest independent boutique hotelier, Joie de Vivre encompasses other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and spas. Celebrating more than 20 years of creating dreams,

Joie de Vivre Hospitality is expanding its California presence in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Huntington Beach and beyond.

Island diners, prepare for some delicious news: There are three exciting new additions to the Maui food scene. While one restaurant honors Hawaii’s rich cultural history, another imports a popular mainland concept, and the last pays homage to the seasons with a fresh, Farm-to-Table theme. Grab your appetite and let’s get a taste of each.

Local flavors are polished to a classy perfection at Ko, new to The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui in Wailea. Named for the Hawaiian word for sugarcane, the restaurant’s culinary theme is inspired by the crop’s profound effect on the island’s food culture during the plantation era.

With each new wave of immigrant labor – Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino – the traditional Hawaiian diet was introduced to exotic ingredients and new cooking methods. In the creative process, Chef de Cuisine Jake Belmonte, who was born in the Philippines, was able to draw from his own family roots, in fact his mom’s lumpia (Filipino spring rolls filled with pork or shrimp and green papaya) has become a menu favorite.

At Ko, traditional family recipes and ethnic home cooking have been reverently reworked with premium ingredients and a gourmet’s skilled touch. A perfect example is the popular ‘Ahi “On The Rock” dish. Hawaiian ‘ahi is prepped with shichimi spices and is delivered to the table raw, accompanied by a miso ginger dipping sauce and a hot ishiyaki cooking stone.

Using the traditional Japanese method, diners use the stone to sear their own ‘ahi. Other dishes incorporate a contemporary twist, such as beloved Hawaiian poke, served here with American Kobe beef instead of traditional seafood. The open air setting enriches the experience by inviting in the Wailea night sky, ocean breezes, and flower-scented Maui air. Ko is open for lunch and dinner, though hours may change seasonally. Reservations recommended.

Contact (808) 875-4100, or the link below.

From the cultural melting pot to the real thing, next we’re on to fondue. Popular concept restaurant “The Melting Pot” recently opened its first Maui location at the new Lahaina Gateway Center. Founded in Florida back in 1975, the fondue franchise has exposed countless diners to the delight of the time-honored Swiss specialty.

Anything but traditional though, The Melting Pot’s menu incorporates a world of flavor influences from Asia to America to the Caribbean. Even in coming to Hawaii, the restaurant has embraced local ingredients like taro bread (great dipped in the melted spinach artichoke appetizer), and plump Kula strawberries and juicy Maui Gold pineapple (perfect with molten chocolate fondue for dessert). The restaurant smartly accommodates a variety of diners from secluded booths for two for the romantics, to the swanky bar area for a girls’ night out, to the private dining room for larger parties.

The participatory nature of fondue makes it a fun option for families or a group of friends. The Melting Pot is open for dinner, reservations are recommended. Contact (808) 661-6181 or visit http://www.meltingpot.com/.

No one gives a ripe red tomato or crisp fresh asparagus their due quite like Chef Peter Merriman. One of the original founders of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement that revolutionized dining statewide, he has been leading the way in the Farm-to-Table movement for two decades. The opening of his latest venture, Merriman’s Kapalua, has been met with great enthusiasm. Moving into the most stunning perch, site of the former Bay Club restaurant, this restaurant delivers a powerful one-two punch:

If the fresh seasonal menu doesn’t completely bowl you over, the infinity edge views that beckon across the undulating blue sea to the silhouettes of Molokai and Lana’i certainly will. For more than just location, Kapalua resort has proved a good marriage for Merriman. Nearby Kapalua Farms provides acres of organic, fresh picked produce that helps support his mission of sustaining a menu created from ninety percent locally sourced ingredients.

Prime beef cuts come from the boutique Maui Cattle Company, pole caught mahi comes in fresh from island fishermen, tropical fruits are from Hana, and the goat cheese is made fresh in Kula. Opt to enjoy the Kona Kampachi sashimi and a flute of organic sparkly in an oversized lounge chair on the gracious outdoor lanai, or eat in the crisply contemporary open air dining room. Merriman’s Kapalua is open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner nightly, reservations recommended.

Contact (808) 665-6822,

or visit www.merrimanshawaii.com/merrimans-maui.html

Rejuvenation and relaxation are important components to a successful Maui vacation, so take note of these exciting new ways to get pampered at local spas.

Experience a new spa:

Waihua, The Boutique Spa at The Ritz-Calton, Kapalua just opened in June as the finale to the resort’s multi-million dollar renovation. Named for the moisture captured on the leaves of the taro plant that Hawaiians believed to be the most pure form of water, this new, beautifully appointed spa has taken cue from the host culture for details large and small.

Natural color themes evoke the native upland forest, while textured design elements conjure images of dry stone riverbeds and bamboo forests. The locker rooms are highlighted with a whirlpool, steam room, and sauna enclosed in an area reminiscent of a secret lava rock grotto, its cavernous seclusion a helpful aid in decompression.

For those who prefer company, Waihua offers the first co-ed indoor/ outdoor relaxation area in Hawaii. Perfect for couples, the area offers ample lounges and a whirlpool nestled in a lovely taro patch. In keeping the theme, raw native ingredients like alae (sea salt), kukui nut oil, awapuhi and coconut have been incorporated into many Hawaiian based spa treatments. While reverent to traditional culture, Waihua succeeds in also offering the latest in contemporary luxury from robe warmers to iPod docking stations.

For a treatment menu and booking information call (808) 665-7079 or visit

www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui/Spa/Default.htm

Experience a new perspective:

Four Seasons Resort Lanai has taken the private island’s theme to heart and reflected it back into two new spa experiences. At the resort’s main spa at the Manele Bay property, guests can opt for true privacy with the “Spa After-Hours” treatment. Once closed to the public, the facility reopens for two exclusive hours that include tea service, a 50 minute treatment of choice, scalp massage, and detoxifying steam/ sauna, all followed by a gourmet spread of spa friendly appetizers. Privacy reigns up at the resort’s Lodge at Koele property, too.

The new Banyan Spa Suite is a private treatment room available for an individual or couple to experience the pure indulgence of exclusive service. Here guests can enjoy one of the resort’s signature treatments, such as the pohaku stone massage or the hehi lani royal foot treatment, without sharing a moment of their experience with anyone else. Such is life on Hawaii’s most enticing isle.

For more information or to book treatments call (808) 565-2000 or visit www.fourseasons.com/lanai

Experience an innovative new treatment

Awaken your senses to the new wine treatments at Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa. Leave it to this trend setting spa, consistently named one of the best in the nation, to turn the nourishing power of grapes into a three part body treatment. Naturally laden with moisture enriching vitamins E and C, grape seeds are used as base for a luxurious bath, then again as an exfoliating body scrub, and lastly in a decadent hydrating body lotion. Choose either the Chardonnay Vintage Harvest Bath or the zingy Passion Fruit Cabernet Bath.

To book a treatment call (808) 875-1234 or visit www.grandwailea.com/spa/Default.aspx

 

Lifetree Adventures announces a new Christian travel option to Alaska for 2009. Part vacation and part Christian service, the new Alaska itinerary combines the best of adventure and volunteering.

Lifetree Adventures announces a new Christian travel option to Alaska for 2009. Part vacation and part Christian service, the new Alaska itinerary combines the best of adventure and volunteering.

Part Vacation

Stand atop a glacier, hike in Denali National Park, and catch a glimpse of the tallest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley. Spend a day sailing in Prince William Sound visit the wildlife preserve near Anchorage and get to know the many “wild” residents who call Alaska their home.

Travelers will enjoy numerous activities, including horseback riding, river rafting, or shopping for Native Alaskan handicrafts in the largest open-air market in Anchorage. This new Christian travel opportunity allows participants to experience the many lakes, mountain ranges, and wildlife that make Alaska God’s country!

Part Christian Service

The service element takes travelers into the Alaskan bush where they will live in a village and work alongside local men, women, and their families. Travelers will experience everyday life in the Alaskan wild, and spend time learning local traditions and customs. Life in the village is very hard, and the time travelers spend with them, showing God’s love to these amazing people, will make a difference for years to come.

Itinerary for Alaska Christian Travel Option:

Day 1 Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to hotel

Day 2 Depart for the port of Whittier to board a cruise vessel at Prince William Sound to see glaciers and wildlife; enjoy lunch onboard the ship

Day 3 Transfer by motor coach to Talkeetna Lodge for a day exploring the Alaskan wilderness

Day 4 Choose from many optional tours into Denali National Park or the surrounding area

Day 5 Transfer in the morning back to the Anchorage airport for a bush flight into an Alaskan native village

Days 6-7 Service will be spent with the villagers learning about their way of life and participating in their daily activities

Day 8 Service in the village in the morning; and than in the afternoon fly by bush plane back to Anchorage.

Day 9 Transfer back to the airport

Pricing for Lifetree Adventures new Christian Travel option in Alaska is $2699 per person, with the only available departure date left being July 18 – 26, 2009. Custom group departures are available, please call for details.

For more information, or to reserve a spot on the new Christian Alaska Travel trip, travel agents and travelers can go to

 http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/Alaska.aspx

 or call 800-747-2157 Monday through Friday MST.

Lifetree Adventures is a new division of Group Workcamps Foundation, a leading non-profit mission organization offering Christian travel trips for youth and adults for over 30 years. Lifetree offers Christian travel options to Kenya, Tanzania, Peru, Guatemala, Israel, Jordan, Mazatlan, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Uganda and Vanuatu with new destinations being constantly added. Through Group Workcamps, over 250,000 volunteers have provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer service to projects in hundreds of U.S. and international locations. http://www.lifetreeadventures.com

For media inquiries please contact Alexia Nestora at Lasso Communications, alexia@lassocommunications.com  303.898.3376

Australasia’s first and only online golf industry network, www.GolfIndustryCentral.com.au, has recently been launched to connect the golf industry with a range of free services including up-to-date industry advice, local and international golf industry news, an online industry forum, links to golf-related businesses, classifieds with golf items for sale, and careers pages with positions available in golf.

The site was designed to help anyone interested in golf save time finding relevant industry information. It is also a networking portal for golf industry professionals from all fields about golf-related topics.

Visitors to the Golf Industry Central website can:

• Access web links for golf suppliers, governing bodies, media and relevant topics in the Australasian golf industry,

• Search the Golf Yellow Pages to find golf-related businesses in their area,

• Submit or forward golf-related articles to share on the website,

• Place free advertisements about golf-related supplies for sale or items wanted in the classifieds section,

• Post available job positions or advertise to find a new career opportunity,

• Have a say on industry issues in the online forum, share ideas and network,

• Read about and discuss environmental issues impacting the golf industry, and

• Get golf-industry related news and the latest operational advice.

Golf Industry Central’s Director Mike Orloff is a business consultant who specialises in golf course operations. His 19 years of experience in golf course management is with two of the biggest international golf management companies, American Golf Corporation and ClubCorp, for various levels of facilities from 2-star to 5-star operations in the USA and Australia. Mr Orloff lectures for the PGA International Golf Institute and contributes a monthly column in the golf industry publication, Golf Business News.

“Everyone is invited to get involved and use the website, no matter what your role is in the industry, or even if you just have an interest in golf,” said Mr Orloff.

“The golf industry in this region is pretty fragmented and there is not a lot of cross-pollination of ideas between the different operational sectors. www.GolfIndustryCentral.com.au invites visitors to share ideas and discuss current issues and challenges being faced throughout the industry. It is only through free-flowing discussion and sharing of ideas that the industry will become stronger,” said Mr Orloff.

“The goal is to create an online community of people in the Australasian golf industry who will take ownership of the website by submitting stories and links that can be shared with the rest of the golf business community.

“Multi-course operators like ClubCorp, Troon, and American Golf have easy access to a pool of shared knowledge and expertise. It is through the sharing of best practices that they become very proficient in what they offer. Standalone facilities do not always have the benefit of this opportunity, and that is where this new website can help,” Mr Orloff said.

Vanuatu the tropical island nation of the South Pacific, is home to one of the world’s largest free standing musical instruments. Drums that disappear in the night.

PORT VILA, VANUATU – In the records of the police station in the tropical islands of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, you will find an interesting story of giant drums that walked out into the darkness of the night, never to be seen again.

Vanuatu is home to a collection of sacred art which has been traditionally kept secret from the outside world. “Art that could easily be mistaken for any piece of modern artwork,” stated David Baker, curator of the Annandale Gallery, Sydney, Australia, which recently hosted a Vanuatu exhibition. Ancient artifacts that set the art world agog.

Towering over the heads of the guests was a four foot Tam Tam, or wooden carved drum, one of the largest free standing musical instruments in the world. The face of the drum stylized to symbolize an ancestor. The eyes representing the morning star, of a society which has kept its traditional secrets well away from the eyes of a curious world. The slit up the middle of the drum allowing the ancestor to speak, when the lip of the drum is beaten with a small wooden club.

These unique ancient drums played a significant role in the customs and traditions, during sacred ceremonies, such as funerals, traditional dances, and initiations. Carefully coordinated actions by a group of drummers, beating the lip of the gongs with a small wooden club, would be part of an informal village orchestra. They would perform rhythmical ensembles of huge diversity and complexity.

The gongs were also a method of communicating with neighboring villages. Intricate messages could be sent over long distances, using a unique gong language. They could even contact neighboring islands, if the atmospherics were favorable. However, the art of the intricate language of the gong is almost lost among the younger generation. Tourists frequently carry home the smaller carved versions of the larger musical instrument, unaware of their deep cultural significance.

While Tam Tams with one and two faces are a common site in the tropical islands of Vanuatu, only one particular group of islanders, in the province of Malampa, on the remote island of Ambrym, have the intellectual property- rights to carve them. For the opening of Le Meridien, an international resort in Port Vila, on the main island of Vanuatu, it was decided that two five headed Tam Tams would be purchased to adorn the imposing entrance to the resort. A lot of money was paid and the day arrived when the massive drums were proudly put in place.

The two wooden drums that towered high overhead were instantly admired by the people. Then disaster struck. The money had been handed over to a person who had no traditional right to carve the instruments. All hell broke loose. The family who had the sole right of carving these ancient artifacts were extremely upset.

Days passing by and it looked as if it had all been a storm in a teacup. That is until one misty night. The Tams Tams mysteriously disappeared, in spite of patrolling security guards. Urgent queries went out to find out who had removed the Tam Tams and where they were located. Many people were interviewed. The police were even called but, all to no avail. No matter who was asked, there was only one answer given. “With the aid of the spirits of the night, the Tams Tams had walked away.”

The disappearing Tams Tams have never been seen from that day to this. The managers of Le Meridien had to buy a new Tam Tam, but from the rightful traditional carvers this time.

Could anyone reading this story, please report if they come across any giant wooden Tam Tams walking the streets on misty nights. Please contact Paramount Chief of ‘Tam Tam Five Heads Anyonymous’. Maybe the drums will be singing the 1970′s song, “These feet are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do, one of these days these feet are gonna walk all over you.”

About YouMe Support Foundation

Rick and Wendy are CEOs of YouMe Support Foundation, (http://youmesupport.org)  supplying non-repayable education grants to kids who will never go to high school without outside assistance. They are offering a world first, Blue Moon Opportunity, you can’t afford to miss. Do yourself a favour and spend a few minutes taking a look at http://winaresort.com

France is renowned for its culture and history, so it’s no surprise that Macau’s new and only French luxury hotel is offering a package that focuses on the unique heritage of the Chinese territory.

MACAU,- After its grand opening last month, the Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16 has wasted no time in offering guests a window into the extraordinary cultural heritage of the Chinese territory.

The Sofitel Macau is located in the Inner Harbour of Macau’s Pier 16, one of the oldest financial hubs in Macau – the former Portuguese enclave. The development echoes the Inner Harbour’s heritage and protects landmarks such as the Old Clock Tower, the focal point of the HK$3.2 billion (US$400 million) project.

Macau was administered by Portugal for 442 years, first as a trading post and then as a Portuguese territory until its handover to China in 1999. It was the last European territory in Asia.

Macau is the preferred destination for curious tourists eager to witness grand baroque churches, balconied colonial mansions, open plazas and Mediterranean-style cafes. For those seeking modern amenities, the Chinese Special Administrative Region also boasts state-of-the-art shopping malls, theme parks, towers and bridges, not to mention an assortment of high-end casinos.

Those out to experience the vast history of the Chinese territory can immerse themselves in the five-star Sofitel Macau and enjoy the “Culture Rendez-Vous” package.

“Cultural Rendez-Vous” offers exquisite accommodation in a unique environment filled with local culture and French art de vivre. While at the Sofitel Macau, local heritage can be discovered with VIP access to exhibits, museums, and cultural events.

The luxury Macau hotel is within walking distance of the “Historic Centre of Macau,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a living representation of the city’s original settlement. It is also close to the Ruins of St. Paul, A Ma Temple, Macau Tower, the ferry terminal and the international airport.

Valued guests have the choice of panoramic city views or river views when staying at the Sofitel Macau. Each of the 408 opulent rooms boasts a state-of-the-art design.

Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16 is the 22nd Sofitel to open in China, and follows the successful launch of Sofitel Wanda Beijing last year. The Sofitel network will grow to 25 hotels by the end of 2008, making it one of China’s largest and fastest growing luxury hotels.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia,– There’s never been a better time to golf in Nova Scotia. Two new championship courses are set to open in the next two years, and another is in the planning stages. This Maritime province has 60 challenging courses, many with stunning views of its dramatic coastline.

With green fees starting at only $50 – about a third of what it costs stateside for a comparable course – it’s a bargain in these wallet-watching times. It’s easy to reserve tee times and the province enjoys temperate weather with cool breezes all summer long. Nova Scotia offers a variety of casual and luxurious accommodations, plus there are plenty of top dining spots – this is lobster and mussel country, after all! And New Scotland, as it was named, offers its own home-grown single malt – the perfect ending for any golf outing.

Nova Scotia is an easy weekend getaway. Currently, six airlines fly to Halifax (Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United) from several East Coast gateways and United introduced new service from Chicago last year. Mid-week fares from New York to Halifax start at around $540.

Golf Nova Scotia has fall packages that start as low as $93, per person, double occupancy for one night’s accommodations and two rounds of golf at Bell Bay. The Digby Pines Resort & Spa has a special for $102 per person, double occupancy, for one night with buffet breakfast and a round of golf, plus 50 percent off other rounds and discounts at the spa and pro shop.

Keltic Lodge is offering a one-night package with a round of golf (and shared cart) at the famed Highland Links for $124 per person, double occupancy. www.golfnovascotia.com Maxxim Vacations offers golf packages to Nova Scotia that start at $1654 per person, double occupancy and include airfare to Halifax from New York, Boston or Atlanta, resort accommodations, greens fees and cart at four courses and a rental car for six days. (Departures from Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles are $1766 to $1813, www.maxximvacations.com

Two new golf courses are set to open on Cape Breton in 2009 and 2010. The first to debut, the Lakes Golf Club in Ben Eoin, will be a five star, Graham-Cook designed course set along the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes. Built on three plateaus, the $8.5 million course with be an “A” level superior quality anchor course that will include a state-of-the-art irrigation system, paved cart paths, bent grass tees, sculpted bunkers and an overall design that will capitalize on the stunning views of the lakes. www.thelakesgolfclub.ca

Also on Cape Breton, The Fortress, designed by Nick Faldo will be part of the Louisbourg Resort Golf & Spa, which will have its grand opening in 2010. At the heart of the 2,500-acre resort will be a magnificent 18-hole championship course, complemented by an 18-hole par 3 executive course, also designed by Faldo. Plans call for 400 luxurious chalets, a state-of-the-art spa and a conference center. www.louisbourgresort.com

And in the tradition of the great seaside courses of the British Isles, Cabot Links has been envisioned as a world-class Scottish links-style course with ocean views from every hole. Rod Whitman has been chosen as the designer of what has been called one of the “best untapped golf sites in North America.”

The 7,000 yard, par 71 course will lie on a rugged site against the dramatic back drop of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. www.cabotlinks.com

The province of Nova Scotia is part of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP), a nine member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four departments responsible for tourism for the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

For further information, go to www.novascotia.com  

(1-800-565-0000).

And for information about the other three provinces, go to www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca

 (1-800-561-0123),

www.newfoundlandlabrador.com

 (1-800-563-NFLD) and for Prince Edward Island, go to www.gentleisland.com

(1-800-463-4PEI).

iXiGO (www.ixigo.com) , India’s fastest growing online travel search engine today announced the launch of its bus search tool, enabling search, comparison and booking of bus tickets from multiple bus operators and bus booking sites in India.

New Delhi, India – iXiGO (www.ixigo.com), India’s fastest growing online travel search engine today announced the launch of its bus search tool, enabling search, comparison and booking of bus tickets from multiple bus operators and bus booking sites in India.

iXiGO’s bus search tool available at http://www.ixigo.com/buses aggregates hundreds of private bus operators spread over 500 towns and across 2300 routes. iXiGO compares bus travel options ranging from non-AC buses to luxury sleeper buses and air-conditioned Volvos, allowing travelers to search using various parameters such as timings, amenities and price. Once the user selects the best deal on iXiGO, he or she is redirected to the checkout page of the bus booking sites, where the transaction is completed.

iXiGO has partnered with Ticketvala, redBus and TicketGoose, India’s leading online bus booking sites, to enable the online bus ticketing. Speaking on the partnership, Phanindra Sama, CEO of redBus said, “We are delighted to be associated with India’s leading travel search engine. Their meta-search technology adds value to our bus ticketing capabilities.” Haranath Lokanadham, CEO of Ticketvala added, “We have immense faith on iXiGO’s top-rated product and team. Together, we can offer more value to travelers searching for buses as a part of their journey in India”.

Announcing the launch of the service, Aloke Bajpai, Founder & CEO of iXiGO said, “There is huge potential in online bus booking and we will work with our partners to search a wider base of bus operators and offer Indian consumers a more comprehensive and usable bus ticket search engine over time.”

iXiGO’s pioneering approach to online travel aggregates information from multiple travel websites enabling travelers to save time and money by searching more efficiently and comprehensively. For its partners, iXiGO’s business model generates qualified leads from focused travelers. Earlier, iXiGO has launched India’s biggest hotel booking search, featuring 6000+ hotels from over 400 cities in the country, and India’s most comprehensive direct-booking domestic airfare search. The website has posted a month-on-month growth of 20% in search traffic and has recently received seed financing from BAF Spectrum, Singapore.

ABOUT iXiGO.com:

iXiGO.com is India’s leading online travel search engine based out of Gurgaon. Launched in June 2007 by an entrepreneurial team of young IITians and INSEAD MBAs, iXiGO.com has been recognized as a NASSCOM Top-100 Innovator and BusinessToday and WSJ-Mint have named it among India’s hottest startups for its unique market approach, product usability, and passionate management team. For more information about iXiGO, visit http://www.ixigo.com

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced a new property, Fairmont Marrakech, Morocco, slated to open in 2011. Building on its growing presence in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the resort will join other hotels in the region including Fairmont Zanzibar, Tanzania; Fairmont Towers Heliopolis, Cairo; Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Kenya and London’s Savoy, reopening in 2009 following an extensive restoration.

The 190-room resort will be designed to offer its guests a true experience capturing the essence of Marrakech. A mix of contemporary and traditional architecture, unique amenities and details which reflect authentic expressions of Morocco will allow guests to celebrate the origins of this dynamic culture. The property will feature five food and beverage outlets, 13,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space, including a 4,300 square foot ballroom, and Fairmont Gold, the brand’s exclusive lifestyle offering featuring warm and personalized service with amenities such as a private reception desk and a comfortable guest lounge.

A 14,000 square foot Willow Stream Spa and health club will feature 14 treatment rooms, a hammam, specialty showers, steam room, ice fountain and a variety of lounges for relaxing. The complex will also include 32 new Fairmont-branded residential villas.

Marrakech is quickly becoming an established upscale destination in North Africa and is increasingly seen as a world-class golf destination.

The city, Morocco’s second largest, is in a spectacular desert setting, situated close to the snow-topped Atlas Mountains. Dynamic Marrakech has no end of diversions for visitors, including the town square of Jemaa l-Fna, which bustles with acrobats, dancers and musicians and by night welcomes an array of food stalls, and the many souks (traditional markets). Other notable attractions include the Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret is visible from most points in the city, the romantic Menara gardens, and the many palaces that bear the mark of the European influence on this cosmopolitan city.

A new golf course will be developed adjacent to the hotel, and the famed Marrakech Royal Golf Club is a short drive away, making the destination an appealing one for fans of the game. Fairmont Marrakech is located on the famous Mohamed VI Boulevard in the Parc de l’Agdal and conveniently situated less than a mile from the Medina, the ancient part of the city, and home to many of the area’s most notable landmarks.

Fairmont is partnering with Ste l’ Eden de Marrakech, a company headed by Simon-Xavier Guerrand Hermes, of the Hermes Luxury goods family. Ste l’ Eden de Marrakech has appointed THED International, a French company headed by Georges Dahan, to manage the project.

“Fairmont Marrakech is positioned to be a unique luxury destination resort in the region offering a true Moroccan ambiance together with the service excellence for which the brand is recognized,” said Simon-Xavier Guerrand Hermes, President, Ste l’ Eden de Marrakech, “Fairmont was chosen to manage the resort and residential products as its name has become synonymous with understated elegance and preeminent hospitality across the globe and we are proud that Fairmont Marrakech will join a collection of iconic and legendary hotels”.

Thomas W. Storey, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts said, “We are pleased to introduce our guests to this distinctive resort in Morocco, one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations. This new property reinforces our expansion in the region and demonstrates our commitment to working with key partners to develop world-class properties and build upon our brand’s global strength.”

Fairmont Marrakech joins a number of recent announcements across the globe, including Fairmont Hyderabad, India; Fairmont Roco Ki, Dominican Republic; Fairmont Haitang Bay Resort, Sanya, China; Fairmont Abu Dhabi Creek and Fairmont Manila, Philippines.