Jetsettersblog

Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa in Mozambique was recently voted amongst Tatler Magazine’s Top 101 Spas of the World. It was cited as “The hottest beach destination of the moment” with Indigo Bay being the “only serious spa hotel”. It describes Mozambique as being “sensationally beautiful” with “untouched beaches” and stargazing that is “out of this world”.

To add to this, Medjumbe was featured in the Tatler 2009 Travel Guide and was recently voted one of The Week’s “Six of the Worlds Best Hotels”!

www.raniresorts.com

The Blue Train is an icon of South Africa and the highlight of many an itinerary. What better way to see the countryside than from your own private suite on board the train, complete with butler service – or as you are wined and dined in the dining car? You can even enjoy the views from your bath! Your window to the soul of South Africa – and the ultimate in travel decadence!

For those of you who might not have heard, Cynthia Ndabo left The Blue Train in November to work for Transnet Freight Rail’s Re-engineering Division and I am sure you will join us in congratulating Hanlie Kotze on her appointment as the Acting Executive Manager of The Blue Train.

New packages combining The Blue Train with safari and golf options will be announced shortly. We will keep you posted.

www.bluetrain.co.za

Steenberg’s celebrated Executive Chef, Garth Almazan, recently brought home the American Express Fine Dining Award for the 11th time – and now his mouth-watering cuisine, and exciting new menus can again be enjoyed in the magnificent setting that is the new Catharina’s Restaurant.

This popular restaurant has been transformed into a contemporary-styled 90-seat restaurant with interiors that echo its African roots with locally custom-made timber furniture and tactile fabrics in rich earthy tones.

But the real highlight (besides the food that is!) is its sweeping views of False Bay and the surrounding Steenberg Mountains and vineyards. A beautiful courtyard and a conservatory filled with lush plants and unusual water features add to the ambience.

The popular Sunday Jazz Buffet Luncheon has also re-opened, where guests can enjoy fine cuisine whilst different artists entertain with laid back jazz underneath the historical oaks. Should the weather be chilly the atmosphere is just as good inside beside the roaring fire.

Why not combine 3 nights at Steenberg with 3 nights at Kichaka for the ultimate “Wine and Safari” package?

This amazing 6-night package starts from just R12,065 per person including some wonderful complimentary value-added extras such as a 3-course dinner at Catharina’s, a bottle of Steenberg wine, a wine tasting plus local transfers at Steenberg plus a free 1-hour massage per person at Kichaka. Accommodation is on B&B basis at Steenberg and full board at Kichaka including game activities and local drinks

. http://www.steenberghotel.com

Kichaka Lodge in the malaria-free Eastern Cape is an undiscovered gem – perfect for honeymooners or those wanting to escape from it all. Set between two streams in a lush bushveld valley,

Kichaka is an exclusive five star luxury lodge located within a well-established Big 5 game reserve. This boutique lodge sleeps just 20 people in 10 secluded stone and thatch suites, connected to the main lodge by walkways, winding through the bush.

The main lodge, constructed of stone and thatch, boasts expansive views over a large waterhole popular with hippo, giraffe, elephant and countless other game. Each expansive, air-conditioned suite has a luxurious private lounge, viewing deck and plunge pool as well as a fully stocked bar fridge and free wireless internet access.

Located just 1-hour from Port Elizabeth this is the ideal way to end a trip along the Garden Route in Style!

Kichaka combines well with Cape Town and the Winelands. In fact, why not go the whole hog and take The Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town, spend 3 nights at The Steenberg, linger for a few nights in Franschhoek at Mont Rochelle and then finish off with a Kichaka safari?

www.kichaka.co.za

Mont Rochelle is a much-loved boutique hotel (formerly La Couronne), located in South Africa’s famous Franschhoek Winelands. It boasts probably the best views in all of the Franschhoek valley – but also offers award winning accommodation wines and cuisine.

Activities at Mont Rochelle, not to be missed include their new Gourmet wine tasting where guests can enjoy 4 Mont Rochelle wines, paired with fresh seasonal dishes selected by our chefs al fresco style at the Country Kitchen.

For something less formal, guests can order a picnic basket and head for the vineyards or gardens with a blanket for an impromptu picnic in paradise…

Also popular is the 4-hour “Wine tasting on Horseback” trail offered by Mont Rochelle through neighbouring Paradise Stables! Guests set off on purebred Arabian horses, for a scenic ride through the hills and valleys of Franschhoek, stopping at Rickety Bridge and Mont Rochelle’s Wineries.

Guests over the age of 12 of any ability can enjoy this amazing activity. This trail costs around R450 per person including the wine tasting and is offered from Mondays to Saturdays from 09h00 till 13h30 or 13h30 to 18h00.

And if timed right, guests can even try their hand at harvesting, wine making and bottling!

www.montrochelle.co.za

Serena has signed a deal to lease a portion of the 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the Laikipia District, to construct an 18-room luxury tented camp worth US$ 4 million.

Serena will continue to lease and manage the Conservancy’s famous Ol Pejeta House (and will be spending US$ 2 million on its complete refurbishment) as well as the popular Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and is also home to 43 orphaned chimps at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. It is the closest place from Nairobi to see the Big 5.

Morani, Ol Pejeta’s famous tame black rhino, sadly passed away last year. In his time he did a lot to help educate visitors about the plight of black rhino, and how to ensure their survival.

As a remarkable ambassador for his species, a rock cairn has been erected in tribute to him, not far from what was his home territory.

A new black rhino called Baraka has now stepped into his role as ambassador and has taken over his 100-acre enclosure. Having lost his sight completely at maturity, this 15-year-old rhino can never return to the wild.

Although not nearly as tame as Morani, visitors will be able to visit and feed him.

More good news is that the Ol Pejeta Conservancy fees for the months of April, May and June 2009 have been reduced from US$ 47.00 to US$ 40.00 per person per day.

For further information about the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, please visit www.olpejetaconservancy.org  or www.serenahotels.com

Baines’ River Camp in Zambia is currently closed for the re-construction of its new lodge area.

The new lodge will reopen to guests on 01 July 2009 and promises to really wow its guests with its new spacious guests areas – all done in an inviting mix of warm earthy tones and colonial-styled elegance.

The reception and office area has been redesigned with a private new office, new guest toilets and an area set aside to showcase some of the local arts, crafts and souvenirs.

There will also be a new separate bar, linked to the lounge and dining area ideal for chilly evenings around the fireplace – and a new 15-meter swimming pool to cool off after hot and dusty game drives – or afternoons game viewing on the river!

Guests will also be able to enjoy a brand new library/studio that will be used for photographic and birding workshops, seating 18 people comfortably around a large teak table.

 If you are interested in getting out to see the new Baines Camp when it reopens please do let us know
www.bainesrivercamp.com

Good news for lovers of “steamies” is that the Creighton Municipality in southern KwaZulu-natal has built a new railway station to serve the existing narrow gauge railway line.

The station doubles ast the offices of the Ingwe Municipality and a tourist information centre. The Bushveld Safari Charter train stops at Creighton on its way to Kokstad and Matatiele in East Griqualand.

Already operational on a short tourist run is the Paton Express, running through the hill country immortalised in Alan Paton’s Cry The Beloved Country. Other developments planned for East Griqualand include a raised boardwalk through a birding wetland and a picnic spot for visitors.

And speaking of trains…

Don’t forget that the Premier Classe train does trips from Johannesburg to Durban every Friday and Tuesday, returning from Durban to Johannesburg every Sunday and Wednesday. This is a 14-hour overnight trip.

It costs from R700 per person sharing a double room (single journey) including accommodation, all meals, morning tea or coffee in the Departure Lounge and afternoon high tea or coffee.

It accommodates 126 guests.

http://www.zulu.org.za

Alaska Rainforest Islands
CONTACT: Sharon Gaiptman
TEL: 907-772-4042
E-MAIL: sgaiptman@yahoo.com
WEB: www.alaskarainforestislands.com

PETERSBURG, Alaska—While the thought of an Alaska Inside Passage community may conjure up images of cruise ships for many, for the more than 60,000 residents who live there, or the thousands who stay in its communities, it’s a very special place.

That’s especially true for one of Alaska’s Rainforest Islands, Petersburg, which was named by Coast Living magazine as one of the Top Ten B&B Communities.

The publication included Petersburg alongside such well-known spots as Kennebunkport, Key West and Santa Barbara and noted, “This small fishing town off southeast Alaska embraces its Norwegian heritage with public art and sidewalks embossed with traditional designs. Accessible only by boat or plane, it’s a rustic getaway filled with friendly, no-frills accommodations. Bed & Breakfasts’, many with water views, welcome visitors after a day of seeing wildlife and exploring the Tongass National Forest. “

Although a year-round community, spring and the annual Little Norway Festival provide great excuses to visit this charming community and stay at one of its bed & breakfasts

http://petersburg.org/visitor/littlenorway.html

 The annual festivities celebrates the signing of Norway’s Constitution on May 17th (Syttende Mai)– an event that began in 1958 on the same day!

For more information about Petersburg, visit www.petersburg.org or www.alaskarainforestislands.com

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship – designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists.

It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite , LA to cast the ship’s bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, ‘those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,’ recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. ‘It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.’

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the ‘hair on my neck stood up.’

‘It had a big meaning to it for all of us,’ he said. ‘They knocked us down. They can’t keep us down. We’re going to be back.’
The ship’s motto? ‘Never Forget’

www.ussnewyork.com