Jetsettersblog

Best Western Premier Chantmerle is the ideal backdrop for history and culture in the Alps.

Newly opened Best Western Premier Chantmerle is capitalising on its historic location and proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Briancon.

The municipality of Briancon is located 20 kilometres from the hotel and offers historians an un-rivalled look at one of France’s finest fortifications. Located 1,326 metres above sea level, Briancon is the highest city in Europe, its history dating back to the 13th Century. Briancon was largely developed by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707), a military engineer of King Louis XIV.

Vauban created 14 groups of fortified buildings and sites along the western, northern and eastern borders of France. The fortifications remain pretty much intact today affirming the city’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Best Western Premier Chantmerle is an ideal location for travellers keen to soak up the culture of the historic Hautes-Alpes, thereby making it an ideal destination for driving holidays.

Another noteworthy town is Le Monetier Les Bains – famous for its hot steam baths. The rural village offers winding streets and open views of the local countryside in Monetier.

The hotel offers rates from Euros 160 during the winter high season to Euros 100 during the idyllic summer months.

Its decor has been moulded to blend in with Chantmerles’ traditional village charm. The 51 room/suites/apartment properties marry the world class facilities synonymous with a leading branded hotel, with the warmth and charisma of a traditional alpine community. Rooms are available for 2 to largest family groups up to 12 people.

Claire Lacassagne, Director of Sales said:

 “The hotel offers those in search of culture an excellent location rich in all the local area has to offer. Being so close to the Italian border means that visitors can easily explore both French and Italian sites of historic significance”.

• The Best Western Premier Chantemerle offers 51 rooms-suites-apartments, restaurant and bar

• All rooms, suites and apartments have outdoor balconies with commanding mountain views

• Accommodations are configured to sleep from double rooms to friends and family rooms and apartments up to 10/12 guests

• Ski enthusiasts can benefit from the hotel’s ski store room with lockers and boot drying system

• Leisure facilities include heated pool extending outdoors and sauna

• Rooms are from 160 euros in high season and 100 euros in low season

• www.bestwestern-chantemerle.com  – reservations@beswestern-chantemerle.com

• Best Western Premier Chantemerle, Allée des petits plans, 05330 Chantemerle, France
• Tel: +33 (0) 820 204 305

Fed up with so much doom and gloom in the news? Cheer yourself up with a holiday! But if climbing the walls is what you really want to do – Haven Holidays are introducing climbing facilities and ropes courses at a number of their parks this summer.

The new climbing walls are being installed at Golden Sands (near Mablethorpe); Haggerston Castle, (near Berwick); Rockley Park (overlooking Poole Harbour); Thorpe Park (Cleethorpes) and Seashore (in Norfolk).

Holidaymakers at Primrose Valley in North Yorkshire, where there has been a climbing facility for some years, will benefit from an exciting new high ropes course and zip wire. The new activity is open to all age from 5 upwards and will offer a variety of routes to test your skills from ‘easy’ to ‘challenging’.

And if you prefer your holiday activities to be less nerve-wracking you can always stick with Adventure Golf. Billed as more challenging than crazy golf and more fun than pitch ‘n putt the new Adventure Golf courses are being constructed at Cala Gran in Blackpool and Greenacres in North Wales.

The new facilities are part of Haven Holiday’s extensive winter investment programme.

Despite the current economic climate Haven are committed to a rolling investment initiative that ensures high standards on their 35 holiday parks around the UK.

They say ‘the customer experience is paramount.

We strive to continually improve the standards and facilities on our parks.’

In addition Haven are investing in improvements to their food and restaurant outlets, including the introduction of Papa John’s pizzas at a number of parks.

HAVEN’S HOT DEALS

There’s still time to save money on peak season bookings – Haven Holidays are offering a 10% discount on school holiday dates if you book and pay in full by 16th February.

A week at Golden Sands in Mablethorpe starts at £499 for a family of four in standard accommodation on August 21st – but save 10% on this price by booking by February 16th .

A similar holiday home at Riviere Sands in Cornwall costs from £699 or head to Greenacres in North Wales where seven nights from August 21st costs from £639.

Haven say ‘our brochure price is the price you’ll pay’ – they don’t charge for paying by credit card and of course, staying in the UK you won’t get any unpleasant surprises about fuel supplements or currency surcharges.

Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La will make its North American at the Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver.

 Chi, The Spa, Shangri-La’s signature spa brand, will introduce a new concept to the Vancouver marketplace, focusing on a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being based on the ancient healing traditions, philosophies and rituals of China and the Himalayas. Chi treatments, known as “journeys,” range from 75-minute to half-day experiences and include body therapies, wraps, massages and facials.

In Vancouver, Chi will incorporate signature treatments from Asia as well as specially created British Columbia-based treatments. Chi,

The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver will be the “West Coast Path,” which uses products sourced from British Columbia’s coast — most notably seaweed, a renewable resource, hand-harvested from the outer coast of Vancouver Island.

Located on the hotel’s fifth floor, Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La will feature six treatment suites that offer the Chi signature “spa within a spa” concept; there are five individual treatment suites, each measuring 450 square feet, and one couple’s suite offering 1,000 square feet of space, all with private change and vanity area, shower, soaking tub and fireplace.

The 119-room Shangri-La Hotel, strategically located in the city center, will occupy the first 15 floors of a new 61-story landmark building — the tallest in Vancouver — with cutting-edge architectural design.

The first of its kind in Canada, The Rosseau, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, opened its doors last month, just in time for the New Year. While the grand opening celebration is reserved for early this year, visitors can celebrate with an authentic Northern Ontario, Canada, retreat.

Rates for a weeknight stay begin at $199 plus taxes and fees, for a spacious studio, complete with fireplace, galley kitchen and luxurious oversize bathroom.

For more information on The Rosseau or to inquire about bookings for this resort, visit www.jwrosseau.com

Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk is marketing to gay couples and families. “At Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk, we are committed to providing a gay-friendly vacation experiences and are proud to be listed as a Travel Alternatives Group (TAG) Approved hotel,” said Bob Yeoman, general manager of the property. Published rates start at $399 for a one-bedroom suite and promotional rates starting at $299 a night are available at times throughout the year on a space-available basis.

For more information, call 800-EMBASSY or visit www.EmbassySuitesWaikiki.com

GOGO Worldwide Vacations has boosted its specialist product range by launching its first gay and lesbian travel catalog for United States travel agents. The wholesale travel group, which services almost 20,000 US agents, has just produced a guide that outlines exclusive offers for gay and lesbian travelers at more than 130 international and domestic hotels and resorts.

GOGO President Dean Smith said the “Outgoing” catalogs were produced in response to strong travel agent demand for specialist product information and deals for customers. The catalogs feature exclusive deals from leading properties in the Caribbean, Mexico, Coast Rica, Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Europe and the United States.

“Like all sectors of the community, gay and lesbian travelers are looking to travel agents for expert advice and details on the special offers that are available today,” Smith said.

 “GOGO’s new Outgoing catalog brings all of this information together and will help agents deliver an improved service to their clients.

Featured resorts and hotels were chosen for their quality, location and value, in addition to their respect for gay and lesbian travelers. The exclusive offers represent genuine savings and range from guaranteed room upgrades and gifts to dinners and spa treatments.”

The Outgoing catalog will be available for distribution to interested travel agents later this month

In addition to the catalog, GOGO’s specialist brochure range now includes: Spa & Wellness, Family,

All Inclusive and Honeymoon Planner (Romance). To view the brochure, visit www.gogoworldwidevacations.com To order a copy, email sales@gogowwv.com

The Black Rock Oceanfront Resort opened in Ucluelet, British Columbia. Perched on a promontory jutting out onto the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, this West Coast property features a four-story window looking out on to the Pacific Ocean.

Consisting of a main lodge with 71 guest suites and 62 beach suites, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort offers studios, one- and two-bedroom suites. One of the resort’s many highlights is the dining experience celebrating the renowned culinary talents of local chef Andrew Springett. Fetch restaurant welcomes guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Float Lounge with its floor to ceiling windows overlooking the open ocean, offers house-inspired cocktails and beverages.

For wine tastings and pairings, chef’s table and custom private dinners and private events, the resort’s signature feature is the Wine Cellar. Scheduled to open in the spring, the Drift Spa will offer a locally inspired experience using certified organic seaweed products made on Vancouver Island.

From now through March 5, 2009, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is offering special opening rates starting from $135 for a Standard Studio Suite.

For more information about Black Rock Oceanfront Resort or for reservations, call 877-762-5011 or visit www.blackrockresort.com

Costa Cruises and Sony Computer Entertainment Italia have announced a partnership to bring Sony’s popular PlayStation to sea.

Under the agreement, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 will be featured in public areas and cabins.

Ships will feature a PlayStation World, an area dedicated exclusively to PS3.

There will also be PlayStations available in the cabins, on the big screens overlooking the Lido Decks as well as in the children’s and teens’ clubs.

In addition, guests will be able to try out the latest PlayStation video games as well as purchase the PlayStation products and releases onboard.

The program starts in May aboard the new Costa Luminosa, which will sail Northern European routes, and the Costa Pacifica in June, which will sail Western Mediterranean itineraries its first season.

The program will be gradually extended to the other 12 ships of the Costa fleet. In addition to the PS3 and PS2 consoles onboard, four PS3 touch screen cabinets will be set up in the Savona Palacrociere, the cruise terminal managed by Costa Cruises in Savona, Italy.

Jiva Spas introduces holistic yoga retreats at six scenic Taj Hotels locations: Taj Exotica, Goa; Rambagh Palace, Jaipur; Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur; Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam; Nadesar Palace, Benares; and Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Mauritius.

Jiva Spa yoga retreats provide an overall exposure to the basic principles and practices of yoga and its lifestyle.

The yoga retreats are offered at various skill levels, ranging from an intensive introductory course for beginners to a progressive course for those with previous experience in yoga.

Each Jiva Spa yoga retreat includes airport transfers, room, specially-designed wellness menu for breakfast and lunch, yoga courses and theoretical classes. Guests have the option of a four-night or seven-night program.

A combination of group classes and one-on-one interaction with yoga instructors will be held, with a maximum of 15 participants per retreat.

Each retreat features five yoga sessions daily from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., including morning and evening yoga class, theory class, yoga nidra, evening meditation and chanting.

Guests will have free time from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to enjoy lunch and the Jiva Spa facilities.

The package is available at participating properties from January to April 30, 2009 and from May 1 to Sept. 30, 2009; rates start at $1,010, based on double occupancy. For more information, visit www.tajhotels.com

Expeditions to the Canadian Arctic

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario; –Imagine experiencing the history, culture, and natural beauty of remote destinations such as the Canadian Arctic and the Antarctic, Greenland and Iceland, the Celtic Fringe of the British Isles, and British Columbia’s great coastal rainforests. Adventure Canada, a company that has taking visitors to Canada’s blank spaces and beyond for twenty years, are specialists in arctic cruises and polar expeditions. Their mission is to provide adventurers with an opportunity to fully experience the arts and life of the Inuit, while at the same time reveling in the glorious landscape they call home.

Throughout the years, they have celebrated a Canadian perspective through their trips that has been educational and enriching. The staff has also had the chance to explore some of the geology, history, and culture of their Polar neighbors in Greenland, and they bring that knowledge along on all expeditions. Forgetting boundaries, the people at Adventure Canada examine the ebb and flow of daily life in the North and the impact that history has on today’s world.

The greatest treasure on journeys with Adventure Canada remains the local inhabitants who share their own histories and perspectives as participant’s journey through their land.

Whether they are artists or filmmakers, cultural ambassadors or musicians, these native educators leave visitors with an intangible gift that lingers.

With Adventure Canada, passengers travel by small expedition ship–the best suited mode of transportation for remote exploration. The small vessels are a superior method of transport as they allow passengers an opportunity to explore places that are not accessible by larger vessels. In addition, the fleet of Zodiac landing craft permits travelers to visit some of the most remote places imaginable.

www.adventurecanada.com