Jetsettersblog

 New from Great Rail Journeys – the UK’s market leader for escorted holidays by rail – is a programme of holidays by rail for 2009 especially tailored for single travellers.

The company has always attracted a proportion of single travellers, but it was surprised by the findings of a specially commissioned survey which revealed that 27% of customers were either single, divorced or widowed and, of those, more than half were interested in a holiday specifically designed for single travellers.

The survey also showed that 81% of single travellers selected a Great Rail Journeys holiday because it was a group experience offering peace of mind and security with everything organised for them.

These findings, supported by feedback from Tour Managers and customers, has led Great Rail Journeys to introduce this new ‘Holidays by Rail for Single Travellers’ brochure featuring 10 European tours – to Switzerland, Italy, France Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia – plus the classic cross-country journey from Toronto to Vancouver on The Canadian.

The new programme not only includes all the usual elements of a Great Rail Journeys holiday – such as First Class rail travel, quality hotel accommodation, transfers, sightseeing and excursions and the services of a Tour Manager throughout – but also a number of additional features which are specifically aimed at accommodating single travellers. These include:

 • Sole occupancy of your own room with no single supplement to pay

• Group sizes limited to 25 to create a sociable atmosphere for liked minded single travellers

• A ‘Get To Know You’ welcome drinks reception at the start of the holiday to help break the ice

• Sociable meal arrangements – you never need to dine by yourself

• Each tour will provide some free time so that travellers can follow their own interests or undertake their own excursions with their new friends

Managing Director Steve Kimber says,

“Every aspect, from hotel selection to restaurant arrangements, excursions and free time, has been planned from the perspective of the single traveller. The Tour Manager also makes a unique commitment on these holidays ensuring that no-one need be on their own unless they wish to be. For example, on a free afternoon, anyone who chooses will be invited to join the Tour Manager for some informal sightseeing.

Similarly, on the occasional evening when dinner is not included, the Tour Manager will invite guests to join him should they not want to dine out on their own or with friends”.

Brochure prices lead-in at £750 per person for a five-day Rhine & Moselle Valleys break.

Reservations: 01904 527 224, www.GreatRail.com

YOU’VE NEVER BEEN SO CLOSE !

A European advertising campaign to promote Paris Ile-de-France as a very easily accessible destination that is brimming with energy and cultural riches.

“The new Paris Ile-de-France” advertising campaign has just been unveiled in London as well as in 12 other European cities. Its goal is to spark the immediate desire to come –or come back- to Paris Ile-de-France to make the most of the region’s events and cultural offering. The campaign places particular emphasis on the destination’s ease of access via high-speed train.

The creative concept for “The new Paris Ile-de-France” campaign shows the region as an avant-garde territory full of surprises, just a few hours from London.

“You’ve never been so close” to discovering exceptional architecture, unique exhibitions, ground-breaking artists…
Visitors are the focus of the message and in the foreground of visuals. The idea is to emphasise the emotions elicited by a visit to Paris Ile-de-France. Humour and complicity will drive the message home.

The campaign’s creation is led by the agency Hakuhodo and is signed by several artists:
- Jeff Koons , the art of extravagance.
His piece “Hanging Heart” (red/gold) will be the focus of the campaign message for the destination and this out-of-the-ordinary creation perfectly captures the soul of “The new Paris Ile de France”

- Patrick Blanc , nature from another angle.
Patrick Blanc is the creator of the plant wall at the Quai Branly museum and this original and spectacular creation has naturally found its place in the communication campaign
- David Stewart , the sublimation of reality.
Photographer to the advertising world, his photographs stand apart due to his unique ability to transfigure situations or people which at first appear ordinary

The region’s new website, www.new-paris-idf.com includes the campaign visuals and the “good deals” offered by the partners including transport and accommodation from www.lastminute.com and free admission to the Quai Branly museum. Competitions will give website visitors the chance to win exceptional prizes such as a night for two at the Hotel Everland or a Paris museum pass.

Hyatt Place is reiterating its Unlimited Time Offer, which includes complimentary Wi-Fi in the guestrooms and public spaces, and complimentary continental breakfast featuring a variety of fresh fruits, hot and cold cereal, yogurt, breads, Starbucks coffee and an assortment of juices.

Guests also find the following at every Hyatt Place hotel: a 42-inch flat-panel, high-definition TV;

  an eight-foot sectional sofa-sleeper and the Hyatt Grand Bed in every guestroom, which can sleep up to six adults comfortably; freshly prepared snacks and breakfast, lunch and dinner entrées, such as waffles, salads, pizza, sandwiches and soup, available around the clock for a nominal price; a Grab ‘n Go case is stocked with sandwiches, salads and bottled beverages; a complimentary StayFit@Hyatt gym featuring state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment; and a complimentary e-room, offering Internet-accessible computers and secure remote printing.

For information or reservations, call 888-492-8847 or visit www.HyattPlace.com

2Afrika of New York City put together a tour that explores U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s family heritage in Kenya, where his father was born.

The 11-day Presidential Heritage Safari visits Mt. Kenya Forest, Lake Nakuru National Park, Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kisumu, Lake Victoria, Kogelo and Nairobi. The package includes roundtrip air via London; and accommodations in Mt. Kenya Forest is in Serena Mountain Lodge for one night, at Lake Nakuru Lodge in Lake Nakuru National Park for one night, at the Siana Springs Intrepids Tented Safari Camp in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve for three nights, and at the Kisumu Hotel in Kisumu for two nights.

Many meals are included. The package is priced from $2,999 per person, double occupancy, including air. It’s also available land-only. The tour departs daily from the U.S.

 For more information, call 866-GO-2-AFRIKA or 866-462-2374, or visit www.2afrika.com

The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills is providing a $25 gift card that can be used in any way the guest wishes. With its new Economic Stimulus rate, guests booking a stay at the hotel from now through the end of the year will receive an “intriguing” rate along with a $25 Target or Best Buy gift card.

The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills is an easy walk to shopping and entertainment, and minutes from numerous restaurants, Cuneo Museum and Gurnee Mills Outlets. In addition, the hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to anywhere within a five-mile radius, based on availability.

The special Economic Stimulus rate is valid through Jan. 31, 2009 (blackout date Dec. 31, 2008), seven days a week, per room/per night, excluding tax and service charge; it is based on availability.

For information and reservations, call 847-918-1400 or 877-8-INDIGO (877-846-3446) or visit www.vernonhillsboutique.com

Paris’ recently opened Mama Shelter offers a new concept in the hotel industry. It was developed by the Trigano family who founded Club Med. Mama Shelter is a hybrid between a boutique hotel and a youth hostel, with a price point of 79 euros ($99).

The hotel targets an edgier audience, and is purposely situated in an upcoming Parisian neighborhood (20th District).

The design includes a lobby and walls made from chalkboard so guests can scribble at will, mimicking the graffiti that covered the parking garage the hotel was converted from.

Located in the Saint Blaise quartier, the hotel features 172 rooms equipped with Apple iMacs, TV, Internet, CD/DVD players, Skype, iChat and free wireless Internet access;

communal dining with authentic French food served all day (160-seat restaurant with a 30-seat terrace);

the 40-seat Island Bar from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; eat-in and take-out bakery with a 30-seat long table; live concerts, after-hour parties, cabaret shows and proximity to the Fleche d’Or club; forums and lectures with scholars, politicians and poets; concierge and guest relations team;

kiosk with express check-in /check-out;

work desks in every room; business center; yoga classes; multilingual staff; Smart car, scooter and bicycle rental;

and more.

For more information, call 011 33 1 43 48 48 48,

email paris@mamashelter.com

or visit www.mamashelter.com

 Caravan-Serai unveiled its tours of the Middle East for 2009. Once again, a tour of Yemen will start the year off, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage city of Sana’a, Shibam and Taiz. This tour has an optional excursion to Socotra Island where you can see plants and animals that can only be found there, such as the Dragon Blood Tree. Tour price starts at $2,749 per person, double occupancy, land only.

 The Socotra Excursion features a deluxe tour of Jordan and Egypt, Feb. 13 to 28, 2009. Highlights include visits to Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Cair, Aswan, Luxor and Karnak, as well as the Valley of the Kings. Levantine Adventure Tour, March 8 to 22, 2009, includes visits to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Follow the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, stand where Moses stood to see the Promised Land, visit the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and visit one of the largest and best preserved Roman temples around. Prices start at $3,640 per person, double occupancy. Syria & Eastern Turkey, April 13 to 30, 2009, includes the sights of Syria, the Cradle of Civilization, from Damascus to Palmyra, to Aleppo and points in between.

 Continue on to Eastern Turkey where you will explore ancient sights nestled among the spectacular mountains, lakes and rivers, and high plateaus. We start on the coast of the Black Sea and work our way up to the higher plateaus, and along the way see history from pre- and post-Roman times, the Byzantines, and the influences of the Russians and Armenians. We will fly to Istanbul to spend our last few days of the tour exploring this vibrant and amazing city. Tour prices start at $3,970 per person, double occupancy, land only.

Other tours include Iran: Passage Through Persia, May 7 to 21, 2009, with prices starting at $3,185 per person, double occupancy, land only; Jordan and Syria, May 18 to June 2, 2009, with prices starting at $3,998 per person, double occupancy, land only; Jordan and Israel, Sept. 22 to Oct. 5, 2009, with prices starting at $3,680 per person, double occupancy, land only; and Iran: Susa Tour, Oct. 17 to Nov. 1, 2009, with prices starting at $3,845 per person, double occupancy, land only.

Caravan-Serai posts a blog at caravan-serai.blogspot.com about past tours, happenings, observations and feedback.

 For information, call 800-451-8097, email info@caravan-serai.com or visit www.caravan-serai.com

The Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France, is celebrating its 80th anniversary by offering 80 rooms available for 80 euros, including accommodations for two in a double guestroom and buffet breakfast. The offer is valid throughout February 2009.

The hotel will begin accepting online reservations starting at noon on Jan. 9, 2009.

For more information, visit www.concorde-hotels.com

Planters Inn, the 64-room inn located in Charleston’s City Market, is featuring two packages, including the new Bear Market Holiday package and the new Historic Epicurean Package.

The Bear Market Holiday package includes two nights’ lodging, continental breakfast for two each morning at Peninsula Grill and a tour of the Historic District via horse-drawn carriage.

The package starts at $399. A three-night version is also available with rates starting at $599. Guests who book the three-night package will be able to take home the hotel’s Signature Teddy Bear as a keepsake from their visit to Charleston. This package is available from Nov. 16, 2008, to Feb. 26, 2009.

The Historic Epicurean Package features a one-night stay in the Plantation King guestroom, split of champagne upon arrival, a personalized three-course tasting menu with wine pairings at Peninsula Grill, chocolate-covered strawberries and a Signature Breakfast. The Mobil Four Star restaurant’s Chef Carter will personally assist guests in planning the three-course meal, which will cater to the individual tastes and preferences of each guest. The package starts at $680 based on double occupancy.

An upgraded epicurean package is available at $950, which offers a luxurious Governors’ Suite and includes an individually planned five-course chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings. All packages are designed for two adults and based upon availability.

For reservations, call 800-845-7082 or visit www.plantersinn.com

Hotel Raito, on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, is offering a New Year’s special with rates starting at 1,040 euros.

The hotel’s New Year’s Eve Package features accommodations in each room category including standard double, superior double (with or without sea view), deluxe double, junior suite or suite, a welcome cocktail with live music, a New Year’s Eve dinner with live music and a spectacular fireworks display over the Bay of Salerno followed by dancing. Rates are per room, based on double occupancy and include VAT. This package is available Dec. 27, 2008, through Jan. 2, 2009.

For more information, call 011-39-089-763-4111 or visit www.ragostahotels.com