Jetsettersblog

Island Destinations unveiled its Travelers Collection 2009, the 25th Anniversary edition, a four-color glossy portfolio of the most lavish properties in warm-weather destinations throughout the world. The collection includes 123 of the world’s most exclusive hotels and resorts, more than ever before, including Bali, a new destination, two new exquisite properties in the Dominican Republic, and seven additional Four Seasons properties. The brochure, which features each of the five-star properties in the collection in an elegant format, provides options in Fiji, Costa Rica, Dubai, Mexico, French Polynesia, Hawai’i, the Maldives and the Caribbean. The collection was unveiled to more than 150 luxury travel professionals on Oct. 22 at an invitation-only event at The Plaza in New York.

Bali makes its debut with nine properties including the Bulgari Resort and The St. Regis Bali Resort, exclusive and secluded sanctuaries offering unparalleled service and amenities. Said Maurice Bonham-Carter, president and CEO of Island Destinations, “The luxury market continues to evolve and, as we diversify our collection, we continue to deal exclusively with travel professionals and are committed to providing the unequaled level of service and expertise they have come to expect from Island Destinations.”

In addition to the new properties in this year’s collection some returning favorites include Burj Al Arab, Dubai; Grace Bay Club, Turks and Caicos; One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives; and Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, French Polynesia. All properties in the Travelers Collection 2009 are hand-picked by Island Destinations’ well-traveled staff and destination specialists.

The Travelers Collection 2009 launch also revealed the winners of numerous awards, including Island Destinations Ultimate awards. The fifth annual President’s Award for the Most Exciting Emerging Destination in Luxury Travel was presented to Bulgari Resort in Bali. New for this year, Caleton Beach Club & Villas in the Dominican Republic was the first resort to be honored with the Ultimate Villa award. Additional honorees include Paradisus Palma Real Resort (Ultimate All-Inclusive), Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Ultimate Family), Maroma Resort & Spa (Ultimate Romance), Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (Ultimate Spa), Eden Rock (Ultimate Cuisine), Grace Bay Club (Ultimate Service and Ultimate MVP) and Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort (Ultimate Site Inspection Award). In addition, Island Destinations’ travel experts created and selected winners for a variety of Ultimate Agent awards recognizing outstanding luxury travel professionals and agencies across the country.

For more information, call 877-903-2525 or visit www.islanddestinations.com

United Airlines will begin the first-ever nonstop service on Sunday between Washington, D.C., and Dubai.

With the inaugural flight, United becomes the only carrier to offer daily nonstop service between these important centers of government and commerce.

The new Washington-Dubai route expands United’s breadth of service to the Middle East and strengthens the company’s Washington Dulles hub as an international gateway. United also serves Kuwait City daily from Washington Dulles in addition to 21 other international destinations. Washington Dulles also offers valuable connections to more than 58 destinations in the United States.

Intrepid Travel, one of the world’s leading adventure tour operators has announced a strategic partnership in which Intrepid Travel has secured a 20 per cent minority interest in gay-owned OUT Adventures.

The deal allows Intrepid Travel to take its small group adventure holidays to a dynamic market by partnering with a company that understands the needs of the gay and lesbian community.

Recent research from the United States shows that 58 per cent of gays and lesbians travelled internationally in 2007, taking an average of 3.5 trips each. An overwhelming majority of 98 per cent indicated that an operator or destination’s gay-friendly reputation influenced their destination decision.

“We have long wanted to enter this market but knew that we needed to find the right partner before doing so. We are proud to be working with OUT Adventure’s owners, Steven and Robert to offer the gay and lesbian community an exciting travel product tailored to their specific needs. We feel that their understanding of the gay and lesbian community, coupled with our experience in small group adventure tours will make this a successful partnership,” said Darrell Wade, CEO and Co-Founder of Intrepid Travel.

OUT Adventures Executive Vice President and Co-Founder Robert Sharp adds, “There are many companies offering high-end and luxury travel to this market but few, if any, who offer affordable and grassroots travel. This is where OUT Adventures and Intrepid Travel step in to offer gay and lesbian travellers real life travel experiences to over 45 destinations around the world.”

The trips will be closed to gay and lesbian travellers and their friends and family. Gay and gay-friendly leaders will run the trips that will focus on small groups (no more than 12), real life experiences, affordability and responsible travel.

Travellers can choose from Active, Comfort, Family and a premium level of travel, In Style that is new to Intrepid Travel and exclusive to gay and lesbian travellers.

Trips start from USD $727 for the OUT Thailand Hike, Bike and Raft trip and will be available through Intrepid Travel, OUT Adventures and at travel agents worldwide.

To view the complete OUT product offering, visit http://www.intrepidtravel.com/outadventures.

Example itineraries

ACTIVE – OUT Turkey Active – 8 Days
Discover the historical heart of Turkey. Flex those muscles cycling through lush landscape, hike forgotten trails and kayak over sunken Lycian and Byzantine relics.

PRICE (per person)
USD $920
PLUS LOCAL PAYMENT YTL $750

FAMILY – OUT Spain Family – 15 days
Journey from Madrid to Cordoba sampling tasty tapas and famous paintings. Discover Spain’s Moorish heart with the entire family.

PRICE (per person)
USD $2460
LOCAL PAYMENT EUR $400

COMFORT – OUT South African Experience – 14 days
Experience Kruger National park, the beautiful kingdoms of Swaziland and Mozambique and indulge in Cape Town, Cape Point and even a local winery. **Special Pride (19 February 2009) and New Years (17 December 2009) departures**

PRICE (per person)
USD $3305
LOCAL PAYMENT ZAR $3900

INSTYLE – OUT Ancient Kingdom of Thailand – 7 days
Golden rays bask you in the ‘Land of a Thousand Smiles’ as you seamlessly go from ancient temples and palaces to the latest fashion shopping.

PRICE (per person)
USD $1345
LOCAL PAYMENT THB $4250

About Intrepid Travel

With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world’s leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 90 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.

Ryanair will open bases at the Sardinian airports of Alghero and Cagliari in March 2009.

The move will create eight new domestic and 11 new international routes to and from the island, including flights from Cagliari to Edinburgh and Manchester.

At Alghero, Ryanair will base a new Boeing 737-800 series aircraft and will operate 18 routes to/from the North Sardinian city.

At Cagliari, Ryanair will start with two new aircraft, offering 19 routes.

To celebrate, Ryanair today released 1 million £5 (all inclusive) seats for travel in November, December and January.

These seats are available until midnight tomorrow (Thursday).

CEO Michael O’Leary said: “Italy is now Ryanair’s second largest market after the UK. At a time when Alitalia and Air One are merging, increasing fares and raising unjustified fuel surcharges, the conditions for more Ryanair low fare growth in Italy have never been better.”

Ryanair also announced that it will increase the frequency of its daily return flights on the Rome-Milan route to five from November 24.

From December 4 it will add a new route with a twice daily Rome-Trapani service.

The Cayman Islands will sink the U.S.S. Kittiwake in June in an effort to create a new dive attraction and artificial reef, while providing much needed relief for some of the most frequently visited dive sites. The U.S.S. Kittiwake, a de-commissioned naval ship, will be sunk on the north end of Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, providing underwater enthusiasts of all skill levels with a new year-round diving destination that is easy to access.

Minister of Tourism Charles E. Clifford, said the acquisition of the USS Kittiwake will add diversity to Cayman’s diving attractions and promote the preservation of marine life. “Our sea-faring heritage, our strong interest in presenting varied tourism offerings and our belief in preserving the environment all played a major role in the decision to acquire this latest diving attraction,” Clifford said. The USS Kittiwake was originally commissioned as a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship in the United States Navy during World War II will join the MV Captain Keith Tibbets, a Russian frigate sunk off the coast of Cayman Brac in 1996, as one of the greatest artificial reefs in the Caribbean.

Speaking for the Cayman Islands Tourism Authority, USS Kittiwake Project Manager Nancy Easterbrook noted, “The Kittiwake has been a labor of love and extremely hard work for more than five years and we all look forward to seeing water-based tourism in Grand Cayman stimulated by this new underwater attraction, suitable for both divers and snorkelers.” The Cayman Islands has more than 40 dive operations and 250 dive spots spread throughout the island trio and is universally recognized as one of the world’s leading dive destinations.

For more information, call 877-4-CAYMAN or visit www.divecayman.ky

Winter 2008 Event Showcases Signature Cuisine of Renowned Executive Chefs and Notable Local Talent

TURKS AND CAICOS, BWI – The Tourist Board of the Turks & Caicos Islands, a burgeoning luxury Caribbean destination best known for its world-class beaches, today announced an impressive line-up of top chefs and esteemed properties participating in the second annual Turks & Caicos Gourmet Safari, taking place Dec. 19–20, 2008 on the exclusive island of Providenciales (Provo).

“A culinary exposé, the Turks & Caicos Gourmet Safari invites select guests to taste the absolute best of the tropics,” said Hon. Wayne Garland, executive chairman of the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board. “The Gourmet Safari will be a phenomenal display of local Turks & Caicos cuisine and culture against the backdrop of famed Grace Bay Beach. We are pleased to unite distinguished executive and celebrated Belonger (native) chefs, who together will create exquisite island dishes sure to impress even the most discerning palates.”

Nikheel Advani, chief operating officer and principal of Grace Bay Resorts and co-chair of the Gourmet Safari, commented, “After rave reviews of last year’s inaugural Gourmet Safari, we are looking to further astound attendees, extending the experience beyond culinary excellence by showcasing the destination’s upscale hotels and resorts. Debuting in February 2009, The ESTATE at Grace Bay Club—a new collection of 22 custom-designed ultra-elegant suites—will be one of the Islands’ featured attractions on display during this revered occasion.”

Evening festivities will begin with an opening reception at Grace Bay Club’s Infiniti Bar, a luxury all-suite property perched on 11 immaculate acres of Grace Bay Beach, followed by a first course at Coyaba, an elegantly appointed gazebo style restaurant in a lush tropical garden offering fine eclectic contemporary Caribbean cuisine; a second course at The Somerset on Grace Bay’s O’Soleil, where Executive Chef Stephen McGarrie brings a world of expertise and Caribbean roots to this sophisticated establishment; a main dish to be enjoyed at The Regent Palms’ Parallel 23, comprised of tropical fusion cuisine in a setting of casual elegance; and then concluding with dessert and cigars at The Restaurant at Amanyara, offering a selection of Asian and Mediterranean fare along with an extensive array of premium cigars.

The Turks & Caicos Gourmet Safari will take place Dec. 19–20, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Space is limited to an intimate group with costs per couple starting at $500. Dress is island elegant.

For reservations, contact Anna de Guia at info@tcigourmetsafari.com  For more information, visit www.tcigourmetsafari.com

By the end of next month, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii will have added four new spas to its properties throughout the islands this year, bringing the total number of Starwood spas in Hawaii to eight. The four new spas are the Heavenly Spa by Westin at The Westin Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas on Maui (opened May 2008); the Spa at Black Rock at Sheraton Maui Resort on Maui (to open in November); Moana Lani, A Heavenly Spa by Westin at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort on Oahu (opened this month); and the Khakara Spa at the Sheraton Waikiki on Oahu (to open in November).

The two-level Heavenly Spa by Westin, which measures 10,000 square feet, is the second Heavenly Spa to open in Maui and Hawaii. It features 13 treatment rooms including a couples “treehouse” massage suite, hydrotherapy rooms, sauna, steam rooms, and two courtyard massage cabanas. Treatments include a Banana Leaf Dilo Rescue Wrap, a Lilikoi Fruit Melody Body Rejuvenation Treatment and a Polynesian Tamanu “Pohaku” Hot Stone Massage. Additionally, guests have access to the new 24-hour WestinWorkout fitness center. Other amenities include a recreation lagoon, a heated swimming pool and four outdoor whirlpools.

The Spa at Black Rock at Sheraton Maui Resort will feature 11 treatment rooms and incorporate various elements of the ocean into the treatments and products, including ocean plants, minerals and water. Signature treatments include the Pu‘u Keka‘a Stone Massage, the Banana Shea Wrap, the Balancing Facial and the Sole Smoothie Foot Massage.

The beachfront Moana Lani, A Heavenly Spa by Westin at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort spans 18,000 square feet. It is located on the site of the natural healing spring, Apuakehau. A few of the custom spa services offered at the Moana Lani Spa are the traditional Hawaiian lomi lomi ola massage, which incorporates a healing prayer that is chanted at the beginning and completion of the treatment; the Ka Ua Lomi gentle rain massage; and the Rollerssage, which imparts a new experience into Hot Stone therapy. The spa will also offer Yogaloha classes in early 2009, a blend of yoga and hula, on the beach fronting the resort.

The Spa Khakara at the Sheraton Waikiki will offer treatments like the Khakara Harmony, a Hawaiian-inspired lomi lomi massage infused with Japanese shiatsu. The 6,000-square-foot Spa Khakara will feature woodwork accents with organic elements to complement the contemporary ambience and facilities of the Sheraton Waikiki. The boutique spa will include two soothing steam rooms and eight treatment rooms including four couples’ treatment rooms.

 For more information, call 866-716-8140 or visit www.starwoodhawaii.com

 

Airline may be struggling to survive, so what are the alternatives for travelers? Well, it may be something pretty old is new again. The largest airship in the world, the Airship Ventures Zeppelin, last week successfully completed its trans-oceanic crossing from Hamburg, Germany to Beaumont, Texas.

One of only three Zeppelins in the world, and the first to come to the U.S., the airship was off-loaded at the Port of Beaumont and will be flown cross country to its permanent home at historic Moffett Field in Mountain View, California. Departure from Beaumont is slated for October 17. The journey will take the airship westward through San Antonio, and Ft. Stockton, Texas, to Deming, N.M., Tucson, Ariz., Palm Springs, and Salinas, Calif.

Along the route, the airship will cross the Continental Divide in New Mexico, and the San Bernadino Mountains at Banning Pass in California. In its final leg, around Oct. 25, the Zeppelin will travel up the coast over the Golden Gate Bridge. This historic flight will mark the first time in 71 years that a Zeppelin has flown in the skies over the United States. This landmark transit flight will also be dedicated to the memory of aviation adventurer Steve Fossett, who set the airship speed record in the Zeppelin — a record that still stands today.

Once in the San Francisco Bay Area, the airship will offer the only passenger airship flight service in America. Flightseeing tours will be offered from several Bay Area locations, showcasing the San Francisco Bay/Silicon Valley, Sonoma/Napa wine regions, and Monterey/Big Sur coastline. The airship will also be used for a variety of technological and scientific research missions. Round-trip rides from historic Moffett Field will begin in late October 2008, with flights from Oakland International and Sonoma County Airport starting in November. Tickets start at $495 per person. Packages are available for group charters, corporate events, and custom tours.

For more information about the Airship Ventures Zeppelin, or for ticket availability, call 650-969-8100 or visit www.airshipventures.com

New York City-based GFI Development Company announced plans for a new luxury property called The NoMad Hotel in Manhattan. The renovated hotel will be the first to open as LEED-certified and will bring a new identity to this currently unidentified area in the heart of New York.

 The opening is slated for fall 2009. Standing for “North of Madison Avenue” and located in the Madison Square North Historic District, the NoMad area consists of upscale residences, retail shops, and restaurants. The NoMad Hotel will feature a chic French Bohemian décor.

The 12-story Kentucky limestone property will be including 160 oversized guest rooms and 11 suites, each with an open, loft-like feel that includes wood floors, high ceilings and extra large windows, allowing an abundance of natural light into each room, many of which will have views of the Empire State Building. GFI has engaged Stonehill & Taylor as architects for the project.

For more information, call 212-668-1444 or visit www.GFICap.com

Amtrak has launched an enhanced, fully-integrated website that offers passengers more choices and flexibility when making travel plans online.

Powered by iSeatz, visitors to Amtrak.com can now book more than just rail tickets, including lodging, rental cars, entertainment and other amenities, via a single shopping cart and checkout process. To further enhance the overall travel booking experience,

Amtrak.com features iSeatz OneView, a ground-breaking tool that synchronizes a passenger’s multiple reservations and cancellations in real-time and enables passengers to easily manage all of the components of their trip, both on- and off-line.

 Earn Triple Amtrak Guest Rewards points at Cambria Suites hotels! Offer ends December 31, 2008.

Amtrak worked with iSeatz to build a one-of-a-kind booking engine that fulfills Amtrak’s business requirements and the wide array of travelers’ trip and entertainment needs.

Customers on Amtrak.com will be able to choose from thousands of hotel properties and destination service products.

Amtrak.com will also offer car rentals at or within one mile of 70 major stations. In addition to travel and hotel options, customers can purchase tickets to shows, theater, sightseeing tours and other special events.

 For schedules, fares and information, call 800-USA-RAIL or visit www.amtrak.com

For more information about iSeatz, visit www.iseatz.com