Jetsettersblog

The two Companies are pleased to advise that the new www.homebaseabroad.com.au website is now live where the complete range of properties are on display. The properties are also available through www.latitudevacations.com.au. Villas are located in Tuscany, Amalfi Coast and Islands,Umbria and Lake Como

THE PORTFOLIO

Each Italian villa, farmhouse and estate in their Portfolio is selected for the unique combination of location, amenities, service, price and quality it offers guests of Homebase Abroad. This evaluation is more qualitative than quantitative and they devote extensive time and attention to each home selected.

INTIMATE PROPERTY KNOWLEDGE

Homebase Abroad work exclusively with private homeowners who make their countryside, seaside or lakeside homes available through us for select rentals. They know the homeowners as friends and in many cases have worked with them for more than ten years. They also know each home intimately, visiting at least once a year and staying as guests ourselves whenever possible.

ITALIAN EXPERIENCE CUSTOM DESIGNED

They have chosen this approach so we can be sure they are offering a distinctive and an authentic experience of Italian life from a homebase reflecting the needs and preferences of our clients. Their deep knowledge ensures that they have all the information they need to make an informed decision in choosing the property best for their group and holiday. Each home is distinct, with many qualities to recommend it. They include in our Portfolio only homes we would willingly choose for a holiday ourselves.

Homebase Abroad properties are recommended by U.S. Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and the NY Times, Departures Magazine

The properties are also available through www.latitudevacations.com.au. Villas are available in Tuscany, Amalfi Coast and Islands,Umbria and Lake Como

Ideal for Families and Groups

Famous for its luxury overwater bungalows, Tahiti has broadened its appeal to families and groups with the March 1 opening of the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti, a 121-room four-star complex offering a range of superior rooms, studios and apartments with fully equipped kitchens.

The resort is set against plush green mountains and a magnificent blue lagoon with views across to beautiful Moorea island. It is just five minutes from Faa’a International Airport, 10 minutes from Papeete city centre and a short walk to Punaauia township, where families can purchase supermarket items for home-cooked meals.

Features include a spa, fitness centre, meeting rooms, two bars, two restaurants – one perched over the water offering Polynesian food – and the largest infinity-edge swimming pool in Tahiti.

Manava Suite Resort Tahiti is operated by Tahiti’s largest resort operator, South Pacific Management (SPM), which manages 12 four- and five-star resorts throughout French Polynesia.

“Manava Suite Resort Tahiti joins the recently-opened four-star Legends Resort on Moorea offering facilities suitable for families and groups,” said Tahiti Tourisme Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand, Robert Thompson.

“For families wanting an even more up-market experience French Polynesia also offers the ultra luxurious Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, which has an entire motu (islet) with its own private beach and a supervised activities program dedicated to kids.”

To celebrate the opening of the new resort, South Pacific Management, Tahiti Tourisme, Air Tahiti Nui and Qantas Holidays have launched three top-value holiday packages:

• Stay 5, Pay 4: Five nights at the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti – from $1644* per person

• Nine-night Islands Combo: Includes three nights at the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti, three nights at the Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa and three nights at the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort – from $2364* per person

• 12-night Tahiti Ultimate Luxury: Includes two nights at the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti, five nights in an overwater bungalow at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa, five nights at the Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa, and all transfers and domestic flights – from $8615* per person

*Conditions apply. Packages include return economy Sydney-Papeete flights with Air Tahiti Nui for travel between April 1-May 31, 2009 and November 1-December 23, 2009.

 These opening special prices are valid until March 13, 2009, after which a new discount rate will apply. Please consult your nearest registered travel agent for future prices.

For more information about Manava Suite Resort Tahiti and SPM’s other resorts visit www.pearlresorts.com.

For more holiday offers contact Tahiti Tourisme on 1300 655 563 or visit www.tahitinow.com.au

The Gold Coast hinterland’s eco offerings have reached a new high with the opening of the Rainforest Skywalk on Tamborine Mountain.

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a 300 metre long canopy walk, soaring 30m above Cedar Creek in parts, with spectacular panoramic views across the valley and rainforest canopies below. Guests begin their walk on a spectacular elevated walkway running through the middle and upper canopies of the rainforest descending gradually to the lower canopy and following points of interest including rock pools and waterfalls, a butterfly lookout, local history enclosure and sheltered rest areas along the way.

The walk culminates at the Skywalk Cantilever, where guests are suspended five stories above Cedar Creek.

The final stages of the walk return along the rainforest floor to the Eco Centre which includes a gallery, café and other visitor facilities. The walk takes around 45 minutes to complete and prices are $18.50 for adults and $9.50 for children, or $47 for a family of two adults and two children. It is open daily from 9.30am to 4pm.

 Skywalk is located on Tamborine Mountain Road, North Tamborine. www.rainforestskywalk.com.au

Bundaberg’s Coral Coast has welcomed its first internationally-branded luxury apartment hotel with the opening of the Grand Mercure Bargara Apartments.

Enjoying a beachfront address at Bargara (15 minutes’ drive from Bundaberg in Central Queensland), the Grand Mercure Apartments include 39 one, two and three bedroom luxury apartments which boast uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views from large timber decks.

The five-star property also features two swimming pools and a fully-equipped gym. It is situated just 200 metres from the seaside town centre along the newly developed esplanade which features bike and pedestrian walkways and picnic and barbeque areas. Opening specials start from $165 per night.

www.accorhotels.com.au/GrandMercure_Bargara/default_en.aspx

The Sunshine Coast’s picturesque beaches and hinterland regions have become much more accessible for disabled visitors thanks to WheelAdventures.

Specialising in customised rides and tours for chair-bound and mobility-challenged people, the new tours allow visitors to experience the Sunshine Coast in a motorcycle sidecar especially designed for wheelchairs.

WheelAdventures operates across the Sunshine Coast and tours include the hinterland, Glass House Mountains, and coastal beaches, or you can make up your own itinerary.

Pricing ranges from $120 an hour up to a full day at $650 and includes free pick up and drop off to most areas and the option of a carer or friend travelling for free. Wheelchairs are supplied or if suitable the passengers can bring their own.

Tours operate seven days a week, 8am – 5pm.

Call 0431 952 516 or visit www.wheeladventures.com.au

History is coming alive in Charters Towers with new horse drawn carriage and wagon tours and the reopening of the World Theatre tours and the town’s museum.

Situated 90 minutes’ drive inland from Townsville, Charter Towers is a scenic Outback gold mining city that is big on history and character. Take a trip back in time with Old World Carriages’ horse drawn carriage and wagon tours, which take passengers to the largest herd of registered Texas Longhorns. Learn some of the history of this iconic and gentle bred of cattle while enjoying the serenity of a canvas covered wagon ride amongst these animals. Charters Towers World Theatre tours are also back up and running so visitors can again explore this cultural complex which mixes heritage architecture and state of the art technology.

Enjoy live shows, movies, morning melodies and free local and touring exhibitions of art, sculpture, photography and more.

The Zara Clark Folk Museum has also been renamed as the Charters Towers Museum (within a late nineteenth century commercial building), which houses the fly fox cash carry system and a large collection of early historical vehicles, documents and domestic items.

www.townsvilleholidays.info  and www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au www.oldworldcarriage.com.au

Magnetic views of an island paradise

Sailing down the Queensland coast in 1770, Captain Cook believed Magnetic Island possessed a mysterious magnetic force which caused his compass to go hay wire, reports Sue Fuller.

Although later disproved, it’s easy to see why this tropical paradise 20 minutes off the coast of Townsville is exerting the same magnetic attraction for locals and visitors alike.

One of the best ways to explore the island – apart from the traditional mini moke – is by jet ski. From several kilometres offshore, I imagine the views of dramatic granite boulders and hoop pines are virtually identical to those enjoyed by the early explorers.

Magnetic Island Adrenalin Jet Ski Tours operate daily three hour and half day tours of the island.

We covered around 30km during our three hour tour, at times between six to seven kilometers off shore. It proved the perfect vantage point to view the spectacular granite pushed up from a depth of several kilometres, some as big as a large house.

Our guide explained it’s common to spot an array of wildlife on the tours, from giant manta rays and bull nose stingrays to humpback whales during their annual migration. We were happy spotting a green turtle pop its head up just metres away and Ospreys wheeling high above in the gentle sea breeze.

Another spectacular way to check out the island is on horseback on a guided ride with Horseshoe Bay Ranch’s Bush and Beach Rides. Twelve months ago, Sam Atkinson bought the ranch, one of the island’s longest established tourism operations.

The island is a spectacular contrast to the 90,000 acre Outback Queensland cattle station outside Mt Garnet in the north-west on which Sam grew up – learning to ride almost before she could walk.

Her days start at 6am, feeding the 27 horses, then catching, brushing, saddling and feeding them again before the afternoon rides.

Sam’s passion for her horses is obvious and the mainly quarter horses and stock horses with names like Candy, Toffee, Honey and Poppy are a contented lot. Why wouldn’t they be when their daily routine includes a couple of hour’s ambling through the island’s bush to picturesque Horseshoe Bay for a bareback swim?

It’s also well worth exploring more of the island’s picturesque spots via the 25km network of walking tracks.

Look for koalas, rock wallabies, possums and a variety of birds on the way.

More than two-thirds of Maggie is protected National Park, and the island is home to northern Australia’s largest koala colony living in the wild.

If you’re not lucky enough to spot one in the wild, your next best chance is at Maggie’s award-winning Bungalow Bay Koala Village.

 One of their most popular attractions is its champagne bush tucker breakfast. Sip champagne and juice, cook your toast over an open fire and tuck into a hearty breakfast while rangers bring around native animals including baby crocodiles and snakes.

 In a gum tree within the enclosure, a koala sleeps through breakfast undisturbed.

The island’s spectacular setting is matched only by the accommodation at Mantra One Bright Point.

Floor to ceiling glass windows allow uninterrupted views across the Coral Sea towards the mainland and by night, the twinkling lights of Townsville.

Our apartment is truly spectacular – equipped with the latest technology, a sleek kitchen for self catering and even views of the sea from the bathroom. With ocean views from every room (lounge and bedroom), it’s one of the most beautiful oceanfront apartments I’ve ever seen.
Located adjacent to the ferry terminal at Nelly Bay, Mantra One Bright Point offers a selection of luxurious one, two and three bedroom beach-house style apartments designed to maximise those amazing views.
Don‘t leave it too long to discover this island’s special magic.

For more information on Townsville and Magnetic Island visit www.townsvilleholidays.info
Adrenalin Jet Ski Tours – Ph (07) 4778 5533
Mantra One Bright Point – www.mantraonebrightpoint.com.au
Bungalow Bay Koala Village – www.bungalowbay.com.au
Moke Magnetic – www.mokemagnetic.com

Getting there:

Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Qantas fly to Townsville from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. www.jetstar.com.au  www.virginblue.com.auwww.qantas.com.au 
Sunferries operate passenger ferries from Townsville to Magnetic Island www.sunferries.com.au
Fantasea Cruising Magnetic operates passenger and vehicle transfers from Townsville to Magnetic Island www.fantasea.com.au

Finding The Way – The Poacher’s Way

The Poacher’s Way is a new collective of experiences that brings together local artists, chefs, winemakers, and rural hosts who each have an inspirational experience to share and fascinating story to tell.

Most of The Poacher’s Way members have made lifestyle decisions and changed career directions, locations and life – they’ve opted out of city life, stock markets, the land of multi nationals and a frantic pace to follow their dreams and create something for others to experience and enjoy.

The Poacher’s Way is a platform for 25 local businesses to showcase some of the best the region has to offer. The concept of Susan Bruce from Poachers Pantry, the collective evolved when she realised how many fantastic products and people there were in the region.

The lifestyle element is a one that is repeated time and time again with people like Andrew and Catherine Haskins from Podfood, Sue Butt from Geranium House near Hall and Annette Walters from The Globe Inn, Yass. They have all made conscious decision to create a better work-life balance, follow a passion or live in a rural community – and it’s a decision they couldn’t be happier with.

Catherine and Andrew Haskins created Podfood in 2005 in a deliberate attempt to create a better work-life balance so the couple could spend more time with their two small girls.

Geranium House Day Spa evolved after Sue Butt completed a massage course and started doing a bit of massage on the side when her children were young and she loved it. She could see how great it made people feel and became addicted.

For Annette Walters it was love at first sight when she saw the 1847 building know as The Globe Inn in the heart of historic Yass and running a B&B in country NSW is a long way from hectic days spent as a nurse in the busy health care sector where Annette used to spend her days.

Outrigger Reef on the Beach’s $110 million makeover has created an extraordinary new vacation experience in Hawaii. Ideally situated between famed Waikiki Beach and the entertainment center of Waikiki, the new Outrigger Reef is a stunning new oceanfront haven of elegance, comfort, gracious hospitality, and unparalleled commitment to Hawaiian culture.

Guest Rooms

The new Outrigger Reef encompasses 639 beautifully remodeled guest rooms, including 42 enlarged suites. Completely transformed, the Ocean and Pacific Towers offer spacious new guestrooms and suites featuring superb décor and an array of contemporary new amenities.

Interior decor reflects the hotel’s natural island environs including stunning marine photography.

Complimentary long-distance phone calls to the neighbor islands, U.S. Mainland and Canada.

Complimentary high-speed Internet access in all rooms

All rooms are smoking-free.

32” flat-panel LCD televisions

Full-sized bathtubs in all rooms

Whirlpool bathtubs in one-bedroom oceanfront suites

Spacious new vanity with lighted cosmetic mirror

New bath amenities, custom-made in Hawaii

Cultural Highlights

As one of the state’s foremost supporters of Hawaiian culture, the Outrigger Reef on the Beach highlights the remarkable achievements of Hawaii’s courageous ocean voyagers, and honors the deep relationship between Hawaii’s people and the sea. The hotel’s stunning cultural assets were honored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s prestigious 2008 Keep It Hawaii Award.

Extraordinary collection of 18 images of Pacific Basin canoes created by renowned historian and artist, Herb Kawainui Kane.

New sitting room area with selection of Hawaii books and great literary works of Hawaii.

Three hand-crafted lobby showcases displaying an impressive collection of curator-selected artifacts.

New hotel entry inspired by a traditional canoe longhouse, now home to the Ho`aloha, a carefully restored koa wood canoe originally crafted more than a century ago.

Continuation of Outrigger Reef’s award-winning cultural activities and programs for guests: hula dancing, ukulele lessons, lei-making, storytelling, Outrigger’s signature Hawaiian vow renewal ceremony, demonstrations by cultural teachers and master artisans, and other experiences centered around Hawaii’s rich heritage.

Eighty wooden canoe paddles and other displays of fine island craftsmanship throughout the property, as well as more contemporary original creations by island artists at Kuloko Arts of Hawaii gallery, now open on the hotel’s lobby level

More opportunities to learn and experience Hawaii’s ocean environment through special partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine sanctuaries.

Shopping, Dining & Entertainment

Adjacent to the hotel is the exciting Waikiki Beach Walk, Waikiki’s newest shopping and dining district. Spanning nearly eight acres in size, this $535 million redevelopment project by Outrigger Enterprises Group encompasses 40 new shops and art galleries, seven great restaurants, an outdoor entertainment plaza, and four new accommodation choices including the premier Outrigger Reef on the Beach.

The Outrigger Reef offers numerous opportunities to eat, browse and enjoy life. New resort shops purvey island art, jewelry, apparel, sundries, souvenirs, gift items, photo services and more. Kani Ka Pila Grille, a new pool-side grill and entertainment stage, scheduled to open in spring 2009, will offer casual open-air dining and live music nightly. The new fitness center, complimentary for registered guests, is now open 24 hours a day.

Guests can continue to frequent their favorite spots: Ocean House Restaurant, Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar and Starbucks Coffee.

Serenity Spa will reopen in late spring 2009.

New Resort Amenities

Personalized, sit-down check-in

New living room with concierge services and selection of Hawaii books and literary works

Complimentary wireless Internet access in lobby and meeting rooms

New fitness center with brand-new equipment

Distinctive level of attention and service called Na Mea Ho’okipa, Outrigger’s signature commitment to gracious island hospitality. Make one phone call for all your service needs.

Welcome amenity: Anuhea Service (cool towel at check-in)

New shops including Ku`ai Market, Makana Trading, Island Jewelry, Prime Jewelry, Kuloko Arts of Hawaii, Moonbow Tropics (opening 2009), Sunglass Solutions

On-site Hertz rental car desk

Renovated pool, pool deck, and poolside towel service

Fee Free Escape

Outrigger Reef provides an array of complimentary amenities and services for guests, with no resort fee. Called Fee Free Escape, this value program includes such items as bottled water and a cool towel upon arrival; high-speed Internet access and direct dial local and long-distance phone calls to the U.S. Mainland and Canada; wireless Internet access in the lobby and pool area; use of in-room safe; use of on-site fitness center; daily local newspaper;

Postcards from Paradise (with complimentary mailing if you drop them off at the front desk); daily cultural activities; and a romantic, twice-weekly Hawaiian Vow Renewal ceremony on the beach – all at no charge to registered guests. The vow renewal program is one of the hotel’s most popular: more than 4,000 couples have renewed their vows in this culturally rich program since it was introduced in 2003.

Property Information
Outrigger Reef on the Beach
2169 Kalia Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815-1989
Ph: 808-923-3111
Fax: 808-924-4957
reservations@outrigger.com
Reservations: 1-800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444)
Website: www.outriggerreef.com

Spa L’Auberge has opened at the newly renovated L’Auberge Del Mar, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, in Del Mar, Calif.

The 5,000-square-foot spa, which marks the final phase of the renovation, offers a treatment menu that includes organic and vegan product lines, as well as exotic plant extracts from unique destinations.

Treatments include massages, body wraps, facials, and the hotel’s new signature Seaside Sojourns, which feature ingredients and techniques from exotic regions around the world.

The facility features 10 treatment rooms, multiple indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, aromatic steam rooms, and locker and rejuvenation facilities.

 For more information, call 800-245-9757 or visit www.laubergedelmar.com