Jetsettersblog

Holidaying in the Yorkshire Coast is set to be far easier and better value than going anywhere else on holiday. This popular destination is set for a great spring and summer season but is also a great place to visit now as it has reinvented itself as far more than ‘just’ a place for a paddle.

Here is our round up of some great new ways to enjoy the Yorkshire Coast. There are more details of all these ideas on www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com

Access to the best cultural events in Yorkshire

Coastival 13th – 15th February offers three days of the very best art and culture in Yorkshire. Patronised by local lads Sir Ben Kingsley and Sir Alan Acykbourn the festival showcases an abundance of Yorkshire talent alongside internationally known names. The packed programme includes music, film, spoken word, dance, comedy, visual arts and theatre. Plus a series of events for kids – Rollercoastival. Visit www.coastival.com for further information.

Inspired by the Yorkshire Coast – stunning scenes in local galleries

There is no doubt that the stunning Yorkshire Coastline is enough to inspire even the most reluctant artist. So it might not be surprising to learn that the area is full of wonderful galleries and even a beachside sculpture trail. Scarborough Art Gallery has 1500 works in their collection housed on two floors of an Italianate nineteenth-century villa on Scarborough’s beautiful crescent.

Whilst a visit to the Staithes Gallery, will explain why so many young impressionists flocked here in the early 20th century.

The Studio of John Freeman in Whitby allows you to see resident artist, John Freeman at work. Finally the Filey Sea Front Sculpture Trail invites you to wander along the promenade, enjoying a series of artworks inspired by Filey’s natural heritage. www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/do

Make your own discovery, following the Captain James Cook Heritage Trail in the Yorkshire Coast.

Enjoy your own voyage of discovery and follow in the footsteps of the young Captain James Cook. Visit the quiet market towns, peaceful villages where he lived and worked and the rugged Yorkshire Coastline from which he made his voyage of discovery on the Endeavour in 1768.

Visit the Captain Cook School Room Museum in Great Ayton where he spent his formative years. Enjoy a Cooks Boyhood 4 mile walk circular walk and look out for memorials to Cooks life as well as the strangely shaped Roseberry Topping. A detour to the quaint fishing village of Staithes affords you wonderful views of the rugged coastline and the Captain Cook and Staithes Heritage Centre. After which you can climb high up onto Whitby’s west cliff and look out to sea alongside the bronze statue of Cook. The Captain Cook Memorial Museum is devoted Cook’s life and the maritime history of the port of Whitby.

Get a feeling for fossils on the dinosaur coast

Intrepid explorers can start at the Rotunda Museum in Scarborough or the Whitby Museum at Pannel Park to investigate the most amazing collections of fossils from the Ice Age through to the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods.

Delve beneath the cliffs at Staithes and try and spot evidence of the Ice Age at Filey Brigg. Walk along the beach at Robin Hoods Bay and Whitby to examine the Jurassic period and spot a spectacular array of fossils in the eroding cliffs the whole way along this amazing coast line.

Sea dog for a (half) day

Let the Warrior Sea Angling team take you fishing out on the open sea in their angling charter boat. You may even get to make friends with some of the Whales that live off the coast of Whitby. Visit www.wsatsite.com for further information.

Become a birder – in a spectacular setting.

The Yorkshire Moors and Coast is rich in wildlife and has an abundance of birdlife all living and breeding within the most dramatic scenery to be found in the country. A must for all birdwatchers is Sandsend Quarry a disused alum quarry is a great place to watch seabirds and also waders at low tide.

Smugglers and seafood

Whitby has a long history of seafaring dating back hundreds of years. The Whitby Museum has a unique collection of fossils and tells the story of the once flourishing whaling trade. Explore the rocky coves of the wonderful fishing villages of Sandsend, Runswick Bay, Robin Hoods Bay and Staithes and follow in the footsteps of the smugglers who profited from free trade. Today you can still see the boats go out to get the catch of the day for the many fantastic restaurants in the area.

Travel in style between Scarborough’s North and South bays on a miniature railway.

Enjoy good old fashioned British fun in Scarborough, the first seaside resort in the UK. The resort is split into two bays both with an imposing backdrop of the ruins of Scarborough Castle. North Bay Railway and Historic Chute is a miniature railway linking the north and south bays. This 70 year old service takes you on a 1 mile journey between the two bays in real style. There is no better way to entice the kids off the beach for a change of scenery.

Whitby Wizard for interactive science fun

When visiting the Yorkshire Coast and especially the historic fishing town of Whitby, you might not expect to find North Yorkshire’s only science museum. The Whitby Wizard situated high up on the West Cliff is home to nearly 100 hands on scientific experiments.

 It makes a great visit for kids and adults as they explore the fine details of the human skeleton and become temporarily invisible like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.

Visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com/do  for further information

See more with the Moor to Sea Cycle Route

When you’ve had enough of the beach strap on your helmet and try something a little more adventurous. The Moor to Sea Cycle Route follows a disused railway line hugging the rugged coastline between Scarborough and Whitby. This is an opportunity to enjoy some great physical activity with truly spectacular views.

If you’ve left your bikes behind cycle hire is available in Hawsker near Whitby.

Visit www.moortoseacycle.net  for further information.

Some of the best water sports in the country

Book a lesson with the Scarborough Surf School and get yourself off the beach and into the sea. The school has a team of experienced instructors operating throughout the year who work with complete beginners to experienced surfers.

To find out about other great activities at the Yorkshire Coast and for information on the great range of accommodation on offer visit www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com

Roars Into The Best Western Group

A £3m refurbishment programme has set-out the stall for the 71 bedroom, 3 star hotel, the newest British member of the world’s largest hotel group, Best Western. Sited in Corby, the management aim to attract both corporate guests, and to tap into the leisure market generated by the nearby Rockingham Motor Speedway, and the increasingly popular Rockingham Castle.

The hotel was purchased from its original owners by Butterfly Hotels Ltd in March 2007. After the refurbishment project the decision was taken to join the Best Western Group as the most effective route to both corporate and leisure markets, and membership of the Group marks the 20th year since the hotel first opened.

The Best Western Rockingham Forest Hotel now features 71 Bedrooms including 3 Suites, the 120 seat ‘Impressions Restaurant’ and a large public bar. Its function rooms can cater for up to 300, including Dinner Dances of up to 120, and in 5 smaller meeting rooms, all with integral LCD projection, surround sound and air conditioning. The hotel boasts the largest sprung dance floor in the Corby area making it a very popular wedding venue.

The hotel offers contemporary public areas and modern bedrooms. Other special features include the oak panelled Lordship Suite, while the function bar displays a selection of pictures depicting aspects of Corby’s ‘steel heritage’. There are 120 free car parking spaces, super-king size beds, a pressurised shower system, Digital TVs, and free Wi-Fi throughout the Hotel.

Bruce Rowell, General Manager of the Best Western Rockingham Forest Hotel said:

“We are delighted to have joined Best Western, the largest hotel group in the world. The brand will help us develop the services and quality we offer our guests, and in return will give us access to a global network of Best Westerns existing sales and marketing activity. We are all very excited for the future of the hotel.”

Keith Pope director of membership services said:

“The Rockingham Forest hotel is a great addition to the Best Western brand; with high quality standards and friendly faces it is always a pleasure to stay at and an entertaining venue for events.”

“Best Western is all about supporting hoteliers to develop truly great services, and helping them to generate new business through a global brand, sales, revenue management and distribution.

“We are always keen to help independent hotels that can contribute to the good reputation of the Best Western group. I believe the Best Western Rockingham Forest hotel will certainly do that.”

To book a stay at the Best Western Rockingham Forest Hotel contact reservations on 0845 3300 120 or for more information on joining Best Western contact the membership team on 01904 695400.

Offers Fantastic Savings On Meals At Top Island Restaurants

The Barbados Tourism Authority has launched the Barbados Gourmet Card to celebrate 2009 as the ‘Barbados Year of the Gourmet’, an initiative promoting the outstanding quality of cuisine and the excellent dining offered in Barbados.

Endorsed by restaurant critic, film maker and columnist, Michael Winner, The Barbados Gourmet Card, valid from 15 April to 14 December 2009, will offer an amazing 25 percent saving on meals at participating restaurants across the island. Presented in a stylish wallet, it will be available to all visitors travelling to Barbados, who can apply for the card by visiting the dedicated website, www.barbadosgourmetcard.com, which will also feature recipes of favourite signature dishes and general information about the island, its cuisine and Chef of the Month.

Restaurants offering the 25 percent discount include, on Barbados’ south coast, the Aqua Restaurant & Lounge, Josef’s, Luigi’s, Apsara & Tamnak Thai, Simply GiGi and the uniquely Polynesian, Wytukai while on the platinum west coast are Daphne’s Barbados, Elbow Room, Scarlet and Il Tempio, favoured by the late Luciano Pavarotti. Near Bridgetown, Brown Sugar, offers an authentic Bajan Brunch while the Lighthouse at The Hilton is an ideal place to watch Barbados’ magnificent sunsets.

As a destination of only 166 square miles, but with over 100 fabulous restaurants of every genre, Barbados has a world-class reputation for the quality of its food. Indeed, the range and choice of exquisite restaurants is one of the primary reasons Barbados attracts visitors back to its shores time and time again, with repeat visitors accounting for 40% of arrivals.

Barbados is also the only country of its size in the world to have a dedicated Zagat guide, which is an indispensable guide to the many types of fine food available including Italian, French, Chinese, Indian and, of course, Bajan.

One of the highlights of eating in Barbados is Oistins Fish Fry, where the freshest fish is cooked to order on flaming barbeques for locals and visitors to enjoy together in the open air. Each October, Barbados also holds its own Taste of Barbados Food Festival, where Bajan and international Chefs share their skills and offer cookery demonstrations and delicious tastings over a week long event featuring the very best in food and drink. In October 2008 the festival played host to the renowned chefs, Shaun Hill of The Walnut Tree, John Williams of The Ritz and celebrity Indian Chef, Madhur Jaffrey.

Equally appealing are the many rum shops, where locals congregate to play a mean game of dominos and generally chat about putting the world to rights. Well known for their friendliness, Bajans welcome visitors to join them, indeed 2009 will see the launch of a special Rum Shop Trail around the island.

Petra Roach, BTA European Vice President, Marketing and Sales, said ‘We are tremendously excited about the Barbados Gourmet Card, which follows on from the success of Barbados being the only Zagat rated Caribbean island, and we warmly thank Mr. Winner for his fantastic endorsement. We take food very seriously, which is why our small island has so much variety and choice and to quote Mr. Winner, “The place is a culinary paradise.”

With crashing surf and windswept sandy beaches by day and a party town by night, Newquay in Cornwall is a destination of contrasts suitable for the whole family. With year-round appeal, now is the time to take advantage of low season discounts. 12 Harvest Moon is a luxury south facing apartment sleeping 4, situated on the headland, close to the harbour with views out across the bay yet within easy reach of all amenities allowing you to dip in an out of Newquay life and make the most of this unique location.

Cornish Horizons (www.cornishhorizons.co.uk  01841 533 331) are offering 25% off all weeks at 12 Harvest Moon from now to the end of March. For example seven nights now only £281, saving £94

TOWN HOUSE PALAZZO VECCHIETTI, IN FLORENCE

The Town House Palazzo Vecchietti, has been officially opened in January 2009.
The historic Palazzo Vecchietti was built in the 15th century on a design by the architect Gianbologna.
www.townhouse.it/palazzovecchietti

NEW LUXURY HOTEL IN NAPLES, THE ROMEO HOTEL

The Romeo hotel (5*) opened in January 2009. Designed by the famous architects Kenzo Tange and Associates, the Romeo is a symbiosis of contemporary design and the most precious made in Italy materials set against the beautiful bay of Naples. It comprises 85 rooms, including 22 suites with unparalleled views of Mount Vesuvius and Capri, roof top restaurant, 700sqm spa, 2 bards and an elegant music lounge.
www.romeohotel.it

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL IN FLORENCE (PALAZZO DELLA GHERARDESCA)

After a restoration lasting 7 years the central Florence Renaissance Palazzo della Gherardesca has been transformed in the luxury hotel Four Seasons Florence. It was officially opened in June 08. The hotel has 117 rooms, a spa, swimming pool and it is set in the largest private park in the city. http://www.fourseasons.com/florence

PALAZZO SENECA, NORCIA (UMBRIA)

Palazzo Seneca has opened its doors about 6 months ago after 5 years of careful restoration work. The old Palazzo dates back from the 16th century and the owners are proud to call Palazzo Seneca a “home” and not a hotel. It has a restaurant serving local cuisine and a wellness centre. Norcia is a medieval town in Umbria, it is famous for its historical heritage (it is the town of Saint Benedict) and for its food, wonderful truffles, charcuterie and cheeses.
www.palazzoseneca.com

PALAZZO GATTINI LUXURY HOTEL, MATERA (Basilicata Region)

Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel (5*) was inaugurated in June 2008 after a long restoration work that transformed a 15th century Palazzo into this new splendid luxury hotel. Palazzo Gattini is located right in the centre of the city of Matera, famous of its rock dwellings (the Mel Gibson film “The Passion of the Christ” was filmed in Matera), it comprises 20 luxury rooms a urban spa, wine bar, restaurant and roof garden. www.palazzogattini.it

LITERARY HOTEL VICTORIA, IN TRIESTE

The Hotel Victoria (4*) has been opened in December 2008 in Trieste. The hotel calls itself “literary Hotel”, James Joyce lived in the building for some times and to pay homage to the great Irish writer a suite has been dedicated to him. Also available at the hotel are 8 junior suites and 35 rooms, a cosy reading room and the walls are decorated with original paintings by the artist Gustavo Palumbo inspired by Joyce’s “Ulysses”. www.hotelvictoriatrieste.com

NEW ALEXANDER MUSEUM PALACE HOTEL IN PESARO, MARCHE

Hotel hospitality combines with art to create the one of the most original hotels in Italy, the Alexander Museum Palace Hotel (4*), in Pesaro in the Marche.

The hotel is a complex work of art, the fruit of four years ’ work involving famous and emerging contemporary artists. Artists such as Arnaldo Pomodoro, Enzo Cucchi, Mimmo Paladino and Sandro Chia, to name just a few, have made their contribution to create this “permanent performance“, as the owner, Count Alexander calls it.

Every single detail in all the rooms and reception areas is the work of a different artist. The hotel, which is completely white, is introduced by a 15 – metre – high landmark stone, created by the famous Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro. It has 63 rooms created by 75 artists. www.alexandermuseum.it

VILLA CONTARINI NENZI, DOSSON DI TREVISO – VENETO

Situated in Dosson di Casier, south of Treviso, Villa Contarini Nenzi is an elegant residence dating back to the XVIII century. Recently restored and brought back to its old magnificence it has become today an elegant place for both business and pleasure, including a beauty farm, restaurant and it is surrounded by a wonderful centuries-old park. Discover the charm of a XVIII century villa, with antique furniture, paintings, antiques and fabrics from ancient texture which create an elegant comfort and a welcoming space. www.hotelvillacontarininenzi.com

RE-OPENING OF THE KEMPISKI PRAGELATO RESORT, PIEDMONT

The re-branded Pragelato Resort (5*), now part of Kempiski Hotels, has been totally renovated in the common areas, in the restaurants and the spa. The resort comprises 205 chalet suites and 3 alpine deluxe suites and re-opened in December 2008 for the ski season (until 13 April 2009). It is linked by cable car to the ski resort of Sestriere and offers an in-house ski school. The 2100sqm spa “Mineralia” has just been updated and now offers and impressive range of treatments and facilities.

www.kempiski-pragelato.com

RE-OPENING OF THE EXCELSIOR HILTON HOTEL IN PALERMO

Now completely refurbished, the hotel Excelsior in Palermo, is considered to be one of the most prestigious of all the historic hotels in Sicily and it has re-opened at the end of January 2009. The complex, built in 1891 to house the National Exhibition of Palermo and conceived as a temporary construction, was initially raised from timber support structures, intended to be dismantled easily at the end of the prestigious show. However, as often happens with similar constructions, its success and the idea of transforming it for use as a hotel led to the building that we see today, following careful restoration by the architect Basile to whom the project was entrusted in 1925. It has been now acquired by the Hilton group and offers 119 rooms, including 6 suites a gourmet restaurant, a business centre and 2 meeting rooms.
www.hilton.co.uk/excelsiorpalermo

FUTURE OPENINGS

THE VERDURA GOLF AND SPA RESORT IN SICILY

The Rocco Forte Collection will open a brand new resort in Verdura, near the town of Sciacca, South West Sicily, scheduled date May 09.

The resort is set in a 230-hectare estate, one hour’s drive from Palermo airport and close to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples.

The resort will have 203 rooms all with sea view, including 47 suites and 3 presidential suites. Guests will have the choice of six restaurants and 3 bars, a golf course, infinity pool, tennis centre and a 4000sqm state-of-the-art spa. www.roccofortecollection.com

RE-OPENING OF THE HOTEL REGINA BAGLIONI IN ROME
On 1st March 2009, the historic liberty style Hotel Regina Baglioni will re-open in Rome after an extensive restoration work.

Queen Margherita of Savoy resided here for 14 months and the original Art Deco style has been maintained and improved. A new Brunello Restaurant and Bar and a new Kelly Spa have been also added to this luxurious hotel. www.reginabaglioni.hotelinroma.com

RE-OPENING OF THE HOTEL SPLENDID IN BAVENO, LAKE MAGGIORE

After extensive renovation works, the Hotel Splendid in Baveno on Lake Maggiore will be re-opened in May 09. The hotel has been updated and the number of rooms is now 104, of which 92 are superior, plus a junior suite. The hotel will also open a brand new Congress Centre with meeting rooms from 20 to 150 candidates. The hotel is situated on one of the few beaches of Lake Maggiore and also offers a spa, gym, outdoor pool and tennis court. www.zaccherahotels.com

“OPEN COLONNA”, NEW RESTAURANT IN ROME’S PALAZZO DELLE ESPOSIZIONI.

Antonello Colonna, one of the most successful chefs in Italy has moved his famous “Antonello Colonna” Restaurant in Labico, near Rome to the newly re-opened museum Palazzo delle Esposizioni in central Rome on 31 December 08. The “serra” (greenhouse) in a new exciting architectural space is where the restaurant is located and where exceptional cuisine is married to on-going art exhibitions.
www.opencolonna.it

IL RESENTIN – EROS RAMAZZOTTI’S RESTAURANT IN MILAN

After a year long accurate and sympathetic renovation the historical Il Resentin, in via Mercato 24 has been re-opened in October 08. Il Resentin is located in an old part of Milan, Brera, and it was originally an old inn built in the 19th century. Eros Ramazzotti, the world-famous Italian singer, bought the inn and proceeded to carefully restore it to its original charm adding four double bedrooms upstairs to the restaurant and coffee bar downstairs. No website available yet. Address: Via Mercato 24, Milan.Tel: 00 44 02 875923.

ATMOSFERA, DINE IN A HISTORIC TRAM IN MILAN

The city of Milan’s transport company, ATM, now offers a unique experience that combines a night tour of the city in the historic street-cars and fine dining. The two ATMosfera’s street-cars depart from Piazza Castello at 8pm and return at 10.30pm and they touch the most important sights in Milan following the same route in different directions. On board the guest can dine with dishes (typically Milanese or Italian) prepared by renowned chefs and taste fine wines.

Booking is essential.
www.atmservizi.it

Trenitalia, Italy’s National Railways, has introduced a new high-speed line that significantly improves travel times between main cities across Italy. Rome and Milan are now connected in only three and a half hours with no stops and in December 2009 the same distance will be covered in only three hours. Additionally the following travel times are now applicable due to the high speed technology: Milan-Bologna in 65 minutes, Milan-Florence in two hours and ten minutes and Naples-Milan in 4 hours and fifty minutes.

In 1984 the Oslo Pass was launched as one of the very first city cards in Europe.

While more than 40 European cities now offer various types of city cards, few are able to present visitors with a product as simple, yet as comprehensive as the Oslo Pass.

Oslo has only one city card, and with the slogan

“Save Time and Money”, the card offers free entrance to 35 museums, free public transportation (train, bus, metro, tram and ferries), free parking in municipal car parks all over the city, free guided walks, free entry to swimming pools and special offers in restaurants, shops, entertainment and leisure venues.

“The Oslo Pass is a great success, and almost every year gives us new sales records,“ says Oslo Pass Manager Stefanie Tuma of VisitOSLO.

 “The simplicity of the product combined with the unique cooperation between the contributors also makes the future very bright – for the tourism industry as well as the tourists enjoying the benefits!”

The Oslo Pass is available at tourist information centres, hotels, camping sites,

 www.visitoslo.com

and other official sales points in Oslo.

MARCH-MAY ISSUE OF HOLIDAY GODDESS QUARTERLY OUT NOW

Drop into holidaygoddess.com, the internet’s most female-friendly travel website, and pick up great offers, deals and exclusives in the new free quarterly e-magazine, Holiday Goddess Quarterly.

The thirty editors’ shared career adventures include Grazia, Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Lonely Planet, Luxe Guides, Harper’s Bazaar, BBC-TV, The Sunday Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, Conde Nast Traveller, Rolling Stone, Triple J, Marie Claire, ABC Radio, The Australian, MTV and…Mad magazine!

The March-May edition of Holiday Goddess Quarterly carries these features –

• The best Irish pubs in the world for St Patrick’s Day celebrations on March 18th
• Complimentary new luggage tags by designer Anna Johnson, to print, pack and go
• A luxurious Tiffany’s Tribute Travel Pack prize for the best reader travel secret this quarter
• Exclusive fold-out Handbag Guides for Sydney, New York, Paris and London this Easter vacation
• Great green Holiday Ideas for Earth Day, April 22nd
• 50 chiconomical Mother’s Day breaks for May 10th
• The world’s most wedding-friendly parks and beaches
• Your Holiday Horoscope for March-May by one of New Woman’s favourite astrologers, Julian Venables
• Plus fantastic new video and audio podcasts for your iPod from the Holiday Goddess team.

Holiday Goddess editors come from all over the world – from New York to Dubai, via London and Sydney. And these women love to travel. See you on holidaygoddess.com this month. Your March-May issue of Holiday Goddess Quarterly is waiting!

From Asterix to Garfield, from Tintin to the Japanese Anime cartoons, there is something for everyone at the soon to open Cartoon Museum in Poitou-Charentes in Western France.

Located in Angoulême on the banks of the Charente River (nearest airport – Angoulême – served by Ryanair), has long been associated with paper. Becoming the “capital of paper” in the Middle Ages, nowadays it is renowned as the capital of the image and, more particularly, of the comic strip, with its annual festival and brand new Cartoon Museum opening this June. This is more than just a celebration of the cartoon, it is contains a library, bookstore, café and puts on temporary exhibitions and workshops. It is also fun to follow the cartoon trail throughout the town, as there are works of comic strip art on every street corner with over twenty painted walls to admire! Famous French cartoonists such as Yslaire, Zep and Moebius are featured. They place the comic strip and the image in the heart of the city.

The museum’s permanent collection will cover 1,300 sq m of space organised into four areas – 1) The history of the cartoon from 1831 to today; 2) A design workshop showing the different techniques for cartoon production with master-classes from visiting cartoonists; 3) An exhibit of the masters of the drawn line investigating the aesthetics of the cartoon and finally, 4) A regular series of quarterly temporary exhibitions.

Entrance fees are €4 for adults to the main museum and €3 for the additional temporary exhibitions. Combined entrance is €6 per adult. For further information, please view www.cmbdi.fr