Jetsettersblog

Washington – Chicago

Amtrak is promoting its iconic journeys across America…..

On track daily is Amtrak’s The Capitol Limited, the historical, all-American rail journey spanning from the nation’s capital to Chicago

The 764 mile route is only accessible by train and follows the original Baltimore and Ohio line of the first ever Capitol Limited back in 1923. Taking 18 hours to connect the two key cities, the journey passes through scenic West Virginia and historical Harper’s Ferry, the Potomac valley, historic battle sites, quaint towns, the Allegheny Mountains and the cornfields of Ohio and Indiana.

Along the way are a number of historic points of interest to include: The Appalachian Trail, the longest footpath in the world at 2,050 miles which crosses the tracks; Harpers Ferry, in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, which was the main trading post in 1733 for Virginia and Maryland but in 1863 after the railroad built a bridge, the ferry went out of business.

 It was here where John Brown led his famous raid in 1859. (Federal troops, arriving by train, forced surrender, making this the first occasion that rail was used for military purposes).

Today, the town has museums and monuments that date from before the Civil War. The Capitol Limited also crosses the Mason-Dixon Line into the most central of the 13 original colonies.

Spectacular scenery follows the route with mountains and tree-lined ravines as the Potomac River runs through countryside which can be viewed only from rafts or the train to see deer on the wooded cliffs.

The train travels through the Allegheny Mountains, part of the Appalachians which stretch over 500 miles, past a small town called Hancock which has a unique address being in three states – West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the station in Martinsburg which stands as the oldest working train station in the US.

Westbound: departs Washington late afternoon, arrives Chicago early morning
Eastbound: departs Chicago early evening and arrives Washington early afternoon.

The Dining Car: serves meals while the Sightseer Lounge offers sandwiches, snacks and beverages.

Amenities: Comfortable, reclining seats with footrests and oversized windows
ClubAcela/Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge is available in Washington DC and Chicago for Sleeping Car passengers

Visit the website: www.amtrak.com

The snow is still falling in Aspen/Snowmass with the season finishing in early April, but the excitement for next season is growing especially as the luxurious Viceroy Resort and Residences at Snowmass nears completion.

Viceroy Snowmass will open for the 2009/10 ski season as the new Snowmass Base Village’s ski-in/ski-out hotel featuring 152 condominium hotel residences.

The opening of Viceroy Snowmass marks the company’s first mountain resort, with claims it will bring the brand’s “signature fusion of glamorous style, provocative design and innovative culinary experiences to Snowmass.”

Jeff David has been appointed as the General Manager of Viceroy Snowmass. He has a 15 year background in international luxury hotels most recently at the Viceroy Anguilla, a 35-acre $500 million resort in the British West Indies, and as interim general manager of Viceroy Palm Springs and re-launched The Tides South Beach, Miami.

Snowmass Base Village Developer Related WestPac and Viceory management company, Kor Hotel Management say they are committed to providing guests with an “unparalleled experience,” and the appointment of Jeff David is touted as fulfilling that commitment.

“Mr. David’s track record with hotel openings and luxury properties is impressive,” said Nicholas Clayton, President of the Kor Hotel Management. “He is an ideal choice to oversee the launch of our first mountain resort.”

Mr David will move to Snowmass shortly.

“A premier location, innovative design and amenities never before offered in Snowmass makes the Viceroy an unrivaled opportunity,” said David. “I am thrilled to be relocating to Snowmass to work with such seasoned developers as Related WestPac and I look forward to sharing their impeccable standards and enthusiasm for the new Snowmass Base Village with Viceroy owners and guests,” he said.

The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, recently polled its members to come up with the “Top 10” most exciting ferry rides in the world.

“Public and private ferry boats provide an inexpensive alternative to cruises, often traversing some of the world’s most beautiful harbors, fiords, rivers and waterways at bargain prices,” said SATW President Bea Broda.

Listed in order of votes are the world’s “Top 10” trips by ferry boat:

1. Star Ferry in Hong Kong (www.starferry.com.hk/home.html);

2. Ferries from Sausalito to San Francisco (www.goldengateferry.org or www.blueandgoldfleet.com);

3. Staten Island Ferry, New York (www.siferry.com)

4. Washington State Ferries, Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands (www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries)

 5. British Columbia Ferry System, including Vancouver to Victoria (www.bcferries.com)

6. Ferry from Sydney Harbor to Manly (www.sydneyferries.info)

7. The Ferry System of the Greek Isles (www.greek-islands-ferries.gr)

 8. The “Blue Canoes” of the Alaska State Ferry System (www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml)

 9. “Norway in a Nutshell” Tour and ferry ride (www.norwaynutshell.com)

 and 10. Ferry from Mallaig to Isle of Sky, Scotland (www.calmac.co.uk)

Private Guided Tours by Best-Selling Author Benefiting the Central Park Conservancy

The Hotel Plaza Athenee, New York (www.plaza-athenee.com) in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy (www.centralparknyc.org) announces the launch of a one-of-a-kind, private, custom tour of Central Park led by the park’s official photographer and historian, Sara Cedar Miller.

The “Insiders View of Central Park” tour will be conducted in a private vehicle, a Park-friendly hybrid Toyota Highlander, allowing guests to navigate the 843-acre Park with various stops as desired. Each tour will be unique – customized to the guest’s interests – and can include visits to Shakespeare Garden and Turtle Pond, the North Woods, Conservatory Garden, and other areas that are the “hidden gems” of Central Park.

Sara Cedar Miller will provide a behind-the-scenes view of Park design and operations, share “unpublished” secrets of the Park’s history, and review the cultural and ecological impact of the Park on New York City, its residents and visitors.

Each tour includes a Superior King-bedded guestroom at the Hotel Plaza Athenee, a tour of Central Park and a signed copy of Sara’s acclaimed book, “Central Park, an American Masterpiece”. 100% of the proceeds from the tour portion of this package are turned over to the Conservancy to restore and manage the Park as well as to preserve it for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Rates and Conditions:

January – March & July – August: One hour tour Midweek: $990 / Three Hour Tour Weekends: $1,990

April – June 2009: One hour tour midweek: $1.045 / Three hour tour weekends: $2,045

September – December 2009: One hour tour midweek: $1,290 / Three hour tour weekends: $2,290

A supplement is available for children and/or additional tour time. NYC & state hotel and occupancy taxes are not included in room portion of tour. Tour is subject to availability. 4-week advance purchase reservations recommended.

About Hotel Plaza Athenee
The Hotel Plaza Athenee, New York is located on East 64th Street and Madison Avenue, tucked away on a quiet tree-lined street of this residential neighborhood.

About Central Park Conservancy

The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization that manages and is responsible for all basic care of the Park. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, corporations, foundations, and the City of New York, the Conservancy has made the Park into a model for urban parks worldwide.

For reservations, please contact Karen Goldberg, Director of Marketing:
kgoldberg@plaza-athenee.com

With Autumn approaching, Peppers Guest House in the Hunter Valley has a great Cheese and Wine Trail weekend holiday escape.

Cheese and Wine Trail packages at Peppers Guest House start from $275* per night double/twin share midweek or AUD$375* per night double/twin share on weekends including:

Two night’s accommodation in a delightfully furbished Vintage or Classic Room

Full country breakfast

Bonus complimentary Hunter Valley Cheese and Wine Trail kit valued at over AUD$50 including gourmet cheese picnic hamper for two, a bottle of Hunter Valley wine and a wine trail exploration map.

Total 2 night package price is AUD$550 per room twin share midweek or $750 per room twin share at weekends.

Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country and surrounded by beautiful gardens and vineyards, Peppers Guest House is one of the Hunter’s best loved retreats where comfortable, elegant accommodation is matched with a reputation for exceptional food and wine experiences.

Featuring 48 guest rooms including a four-bedroom homestead,

Peppers Guest House offers the ideal getaway from the stresses of everyday life, an easy two hour drive north of Sydney on the F3 highway.

The retreat provides the ideal environment for guests to do as much or as little as they please, with onsite facilities including the acclaimed Chez Pok restaurant, indulgent endota retreat spa, tennis court and indoor pool and spa all set on 20 hectares of delightful country gardens.

The many delights of the Hunter Valley are also but moments away including winery tours, hot air ballooning, cheese tasting, golf, horse and camel riding, carriage rides, sky diving and 4WD adventures to name but a few.

Peppers Retreats, Resorts & Hotels manages a collection of premium retreats, resorts and hotels in beautiful locations throughout Australia and New Zealand, including NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, NT, TAS, North and South Island.

For reservations please contact Peppers Guest House on (02) 4993 8999, email guesthouse@peppers.com.au or visit www.peppers.com.au

* Conditions apply. Not valid public holidays and subject to booking availability. Valid March 01 to May 31, 2009.

Introduces Unique Sea Suits

Winter is no longer a barrier for exploring Tasmania’s sublime coastline with Tasman Island Cruises introducing Australia’s first eco-tourism, all-weather adventure suits.

Owner, Robert Pennicott, and the manufacturers of Antarctic Survival Dry Suits, used for Australian Antarctic Division expeditions, have collaborated to deliver cool climate comfort for the journey from Port Arthur into nature’s playground.

Tasman Island Cruises, the new eco-voyage by Tasmania’s multi-award winning experience Bruny Island Charters, will provide passengers with the exclusive all-weather adventure suits on departures throughout the year.

Mr Pennicott, said the suits now made Tasmania’s south-east coastline a destination for all seasons.

“Tasmania’s coastline is a distinct ecological story that evolves all year,” Mr Pennicott said.

“Few places on Earth have such a rich variety of marine wildlife and seabirds – a smorgasbord for all the creatures in the complex food chain of the sea.”

Each journey with seafaring skippers and guides is unique. Designed daily by nature, voyages capture the tallest seacliffs in the southern hemisphere; an extravaganza of endangered, endemic and foreign wildlife; to mammoth caves carved by pounding waves over millions of years.

Aboard the 42-seater ‘4WDs of the sea’, designed for neutral ecological impact, this ‘life’ experience is one of Australia’s most innovative and intimate environmental adventures.

Throughout the year, venture respectfully into the heart of a haul-out of 1000 seals; feel the spray of dolphins surfing the bow wave; watch hundreds of albatross soaring close by; along with gannets, falcons and sea eagles.

During winter and spring, observe migrating humpback and southern right whales along the stretch where the Tasman and Southern Oceans meet.
Tasman Island Cruises operate full-day and three-hour tours all year with proceeds from ticket sales donated to the Tasmanian Coast Conservation Fund, established by the Pennicott family and WILDCARE Inc.

Web: www.tasmancruises.com.au
Web: www.brunycharters.com.au

Roger Cook, a Director of Kangaroo Island Lodge is delighted to announce a new partnership between Kangaroo Island Lodge and one of the world’s largest hotel operators, Accor Asia Pacific.

In March 2009, the property will assume the “all seasons‟ brand and change its name to “All Seasons Kangaroo Island Lodge”.

The past year has seen significant investment at KI Lodge in refurbished rooms, exteriors and a new kitchen, in anticipation of this exciting opportunity. The property already enjoys a strong reputation for its food, wines and accommodation and we see our partnership with Accor as a means of sustaining and improving this, with promotion to a global audience.

Accor is a truly global hotel operator, with the following brands: All Seasons, Sofitel, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Ibis, Mercure and Formula One operating across 5 continents.

It also owns numerous other tourism related businesses, from rail networks to catering operations and car rental companies.

The Accor name is synonymous with high standards and an innovative approach to hotel operations. In training, risk management, quality control benchmarks and service standards, the company leads the world and KI Lodge will reflect these standards in its operations.

On behalf of us all, I would like to welcome our suppliers, partners, guests and supporters to the new All Seasons Kangaroo Island Lodge and trust that our new brand and standards reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement in our business.

The Lodge at Tarraleah sits on the very edge of World heritage wilderness and provides extraordinary experiences of Tasmanian wildlife, outstanding fine dining, gorgeous rooms, sensual massage, golf, fishing and a stunning selection of over 300 wines and 200 single malts.

 It is Tasmania’s only Virtuoso ‘preferred’ property, a Vogue “Cool Hotel” and The Australian Travel & Tourism Awards national ‘Best lodge ‘ winner for two years in a row.

The signature experience ‘Breakfast with the platypus’ involves a twenty minute down hill mountain bike ride, a stop at the local platypus hole, where the locals make an appearance, and then a breakfast cooked by the guide in the bush.

100% of guests cycle back along the riverbank, 98% of guests then take the 4×4 lift back up the hill and 1% take the ‘coronary challenge’ to cycle back up.

A series of extraordinary requests made by a very ordinary individual have led to the adventure guides being authorised to leave behind 1% of guests in the wilderness.

The breaking point came when a London based banker insisted that cappuccino was an integral part of his morning routine, irrespective of his immediate location in one of the World’s last organic piece of wilderness. The adventure guide used his discretion and the banker was left waving a platinum coloured plastic card in the direction of the wilderness.

On a Naturewise Conservation Holiday, not only will you experience some of the most beautiful natural environments Australia has to offer, delicious food and unique accommodations, but also, your holiday will make a direct contribution to conserving, preserving and protecting our vulnerable natural environment.

This autumn, enjoy a Naturewise stay on Montague Island – a spectacular nature reserve located on the New South Wales south coast, nine kilometres offshore from the coastal township of Narooma.

The Island has been protected as a wildlife sanctuary for over 50 years, and an exclusive overnight stay will reveal why. Seabirds are in abundance, crested terns, shear waters and silver gulls; little penguins return each night to their island burrows, and playful Australian and New Zealand fur seals are year-round island inhabitants.

Your stay on Montague Island can be as active or passive as you choose. Guided by a local park ranger, it’s easy to explore the island on foot discovering vast ecological and historical significance, revealed in 125 years of lighthouse history and native wildlife found around every corner.

Naturewise Conservation Holidays small group stays, entice visitors back again and again to beautifully appointed four-star heritage guesthouse accommodation (part of the historic lighthouse quarters) and to actively participate in ongoing habitat restoration and wildlife monitoring projects.

According to previous participants, there is nothing else quite like this experience:

“Breathtaking wild beauty, perfect weather, excellent company and delicious food –Wow! Thanks for having us in this treasure of a place.” Sarah and Geoff Cains

Three glorious days on Montague Island for just $550 per person is fully inclusive of accommodation, experienced Parks and Wildlife guides, quality meals using local produce, boat transfers from Narooma and activities. Tours operate throughout the year, limited places available on upcoming departures:

 14-16 March, 2009.
10-12 and 24–26 April, 2009.

Naturewise Conservation Holidays provide meaningful travel experiences, an intimate connection with nature, and the opportunity to participate ‘hands-on’ in ongoing conservation projects.

The special quality of Naturewise Conservation Holidays has been recognised with multiple awards, most notably, the National Tourism Award for Australia’s “Best Ecotourism Experience”.

 Naturewise is Advanced Eco Certified, meeting strict guidelines set by Australia’s peak ecotourism body, Ecotourism Australia.

Book now!

Visit www.naturewise.com.au or free call 1800 032 501.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort, which opened its doors in April 2007 offering a couple’s only retreat and the country’s first ever over-water bures, has been named in the prestigious Luxury Travel Magazine’s 2009 Gold List as number five “Best Overseas Resort”. Editor-in-Chief of Luxury Travel Magazine Hilary Doling says, “The Luxury Travel Magazine Gold List survey, now in its fifth year, has once again captured the imagination of Australia’s luxury travelers.

This year our readers’ votes show they continue to take delight in existing standout luxury products, as well as enjoying new experiences.” Group GM of Likuliku, Steve Anstey says, “We are honored and proud to have been acknowledged in this way by the readers of Luxury Travel Magazine and look forward to welcoming many more of them to the Resort in the not too distant future. We opened Likuliku during very challenging times for Fiji, however, we are delighted at the success we have achieved to date as evidenced by this recognition from a group of discerning travelers.

For a new product at the high end of the market, we have been fortunate to have surpassed all expectations and continue to have a very promising future.” Since opening, Likuliku has welcomed over 30,000 guests to the resort from all over the world, with the majority coming from Australia, then North American, Korea, New Zealand, Japan, UK and Europe.

Information: reservations@ahuraresorts.com or visit www.Likulikulagoon.com.au