Jetsettersblog

Hi-tech travelers can now explore Downtown Chicago for free with the latest Geogad Mobile Tour. Travelers can explore the top must-see destinations with their mobile phones, media players or even their Google Android smartphone.

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago visitors have a new way to explore downtown on their favorite mobile devices. Geogad has released its latest multimedia tour covering the downtown area of Chicago from the Museum Campus through the Miracle Mile along Michigan Avenue ending at the John Hancock Center. Along the way, travelers learn about Chicago’s earliest settlers and its multicultural roots to the latest, hi-tech additions to its public parks and museums.

Geogad’s Mobile Tour of Downtown Chicago is available in many formats across multiple delivery channels including the Internet, the mobile web and Google Android powered smartphones with built-in GPS capabilities.

Geogad’s tour of Downtown Chicago lets travelers take advantage of the mobile devices that the already carry with them. For example, travelers can stream and view the tour on Geogad’s main web site at  www.geogad.com

 If the traveler has a mobile phone with a built-in web browser, he can view the tour photos and listen to the spoken narration of the streamed audio files as he explores the city with Geogad’s mobile web site at http://m.geogad.com. Travelers with Android based smartphones can use the built-in GPS system to dynamically get directions to the closest tour stops and explore by whatever tour route makes the most sense for them.

For travelers without an active wireless connection, the Geogad Mobile Tour can be downloaded from the main Geogad web site and uploaded to their favorite iPod or mobile media player.

For both first-time visitors and long-time residents of Chicago, Geogad’s Mobile Tour is packed with details of Chicago including its history and its present day life.

For example, the tour begins at Museum Campus and explains the formation of these museums as part of the Columbia Exposition of 1893, when the world came to Chicago to see its White City, a sort of fairytale hi-tech land that existed for only a few months before it was no more. The tour moves through Chicago’s favorite parks as it explains the City Beautiful movement and its architects that transformed Chicago to the sparkling city by the lake that it is today.

The tour also describes the destruction and revitalization of the downtown from the Great Fire, Chicago’s worst disaster and the center of its transformation. Travelers who take a few hours to walk the tour to its finish will be treated to some of the best views of the city and the lake from one of its most relaxing vantage points.

Whether travelers take Geogad’s Mobile Tour of Downtown Chicago on their mobile phones, their mobile media player or their desktop computers, they will be getting their best travel bargain. This tour, as with all of Geogad’s Mobile Tours are free with included advertisements. Just go to geogad.com and sign up for a free account to view and download the full tour. Travelers who are hesitant to create an account can first view a sample of the tour and then decide if they would like to sign up later to receive the full tour. Geogad is proud to add Chicago to its tour selection and looks forward to aiding travelers to this incredible city learn more about what makes it such a special place.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Geogad Mobile Tour for Downtown Chcago is available for free at the Geogad website including sponsored advertisements. The Geogad Mobile Tours are also available without advertisements at a U.S. list price of $9.99. The tours can be downloaded and purchased directly from the Geogad website at http://www.geogad.com

ABOUT GEOGAD

Geogad, Inc. is a private company based in Santa Clara in California’s Silicon Valley. Geogad helps travelers explore the world by making digital tours of popular travel destinations that are fun and easy to use. News and information about Geogad are available at http://www.geogad.com.

All you wildlife enthusiasts with a spirit for adventure and a passion for exploring the road less traveled, have we got a trip for you. SEE Turtles (www.seeturtles.org) and Ecoteach (www.ecoteach.com)  have combined visits to some of Central America’s most remote and authentic sea turtle and manatee conservation projects with thrill-seeking and culture-engaging exploits in their inspiring new itinerary: Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure.

This one-time-only 9-day exploration of Costa Rica and Panama is scheduled for Sept. 26-Oct. 4, 2009 and will be lead by sea turtle conservationist Brad Nahill.

There are three fascinating aspects to this trip that are sure to make it a memorable experience.

First is a visit to one of the country’s most successful community-based conservation projects in Parismina, located south of Tortuguero National Park.

For many years, the region was a hot spot for poaching of turtle eggs, meat, and shells as the local residents were dependent on such activities for survival. Save the Turtles of Parismina, a coalition of local villagers and former poachers, has worked to reverse this trend with the construction of a hatchery and the establishment of a turtle conservation program.

With more than 20 local residents working as turtle guides, the project has increased the income of the villagers while dramatically reducing poaching. .

The community has also benefited from housing volunteers and tour groups, selling handicrafts, guiding tours, and working in locally-owned stores and restaurants visited by travelers.

Tour participants will enjoy accompanying turtle researchers as they search for nesting green turtles, measure and tag them, and collect eggs, on the remote and unspoiled Caribbean beaches of Parismina.

Also in Costa Rica, tour guests will work with the hawksbill turtle monitoring program in Cahuita National Park – home to the country’s largest coral reef. The dynamics of the local sea turtle populations are poorly understood, and while some information on females has been gathered from nesting beaches, little is known about population structure, genetic origin, and in-water habitat use.

Tour participants will assist local researchers in collecting data on critically endangered hawksbills living in the reef, while snorkeling alongside thousands of fish and other aquatic life.

In Panama, tour participants will enjoy a unique visit to the San San Pond Sack project to view research on endangered manatees. A joint initiative between the National Environmental Authority of Panama (ANAM) and inhabitants of the San San and Pond Sak rivers and coast, the project aims to incorporate the local population in sustainable management of natural resources, conserve the manatee population in the San San River watershed, and safeguard the natural ecosystems of the area.

Other highlights of this extraordinary expedition include exploring the Tortuguero canals by boat, visting an iguana conservation project, and enjoying the wide diversity of fauna and wildlife that live in the wetlands and jungles of Central America.

Guests will be treated to a rainforest hike through the breath-taking scenery of the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve to a viewing platform where bird researchers are monitoring one of the world’s largest migrations of raptors.

They will also shed their tourist armor as they immerse in the culture and customs of the locals and stay overnight in authentic communities.

Trip dates: Sept. 26 – Oct 4, 2009.

Cost is $1,650 pp (double occupancy) and includes all in-country transportation, hotels, guides, activities, most meals, and a donation to turtle conservation (does not include airfare).

A $100 discount is offered to travelers who sign up by August 1st. For more information or to register, visit www.seeturtles.org

About SEE Turtles
Going beyond the ecotourism mantra of “leave only footprints”, SEE Turtles (www.seeturtles.org)  suggests that tourists should make a positive impact through conservation tourism.

Conservation tourism supports communities protecting sea turtles by increasing the income needed for local conservation efforts, providing economic alternatives to end threats to sea turtles and inspiring travelers to take a more active role in protecting sea turtles. SEE Turtles is an Ocean Foundation conservation tourism project that links people with sea turtle sites in ways that directly support efforts to protect sea turtles, while increasing resources in communities to help residents thrive and value sea turtles in their environment.

About Eco Teach

EcoTeach (www.ecoteach.com)  is dedicated to providing travel experiences that combine education with conservation, and recreation with cultural awareness. We also intend to make travel as easy and as safe as possible.

Since 1994, more than 5000 students, individuals and families from North America and the U.K. have traveled with EcoTeach to experience the culture and natural wonders of Costa Rica. In 2007, we will expand out offerings with trips to Mexico and Alaska. EcoTeach is not a family business, but it sure feels like one. From the personal care you’ll receive from our staff, to the hospitality you’ll enjoy with our farm families, and to the warm friendships you’ll develop with our guides and bus drivers you’ll sense a special kinship based on a strong commitment to the ideals of cultural exchange and ecological conservation

Grand Cayman, Power snorkeling is all the rage at The Reef Resort (www.thereef.com)

Adults and kids alike can’t get enough of this motorized snorkeling experience. “It fits with today’s tech savvy consumer,” states the folks from White Sands Sports (whitesandwatersports@gmail.com

the onsite professional team that is providing the resort with its new non-motorized sports program.

What makes this snorkel activity so popular is you still use traditional snorkel gear with a DVP (dive propulsion vehicle). Using the DVP allows snorkelers to propel through the water at a quicker pace seeing even more than one could on their own.

The guys at White Sand make the experience simple and fun.

Guests are taken to a secluded beach via bus about ¾ of a mile up the road. Everyone gets powered-up and then heads back down the coast stopping at the best snorkeling spots and fishing holes in the area.

Remember, the East End is less disturbed so the clear turquoise waters and plentiful wildlife make it easy to spot nurse sharks, rays, turtles and other cool sea creatures.

An hour later everyone is back at The Reef Resort, for a yummy Caribbean cocktail and an exhilarating exchange ensues about the many sea creatures spotted on the journey.

The Power Snorkel excursions include transportation, all snorkel equipment, safety vest and a DPV unit. For a mere $40, it is a steal of a deal for this memorable experience.

The Reef Resort is also offering a Simply Summer Savings — this summer and fall, we are making it simpler than ever for you to decide to take a vacation.

Take advantage of some amazingly low rates, starting at US$149 per night for a Beachfront Suite in Grand Cayman starting at US$149 plus a 10% Tax for a beachfront studio.

Book through July 31 — travel through December 12, 2009 visit (www.thereef.com/reservations@thereef.com  to take advantage of this great deal.

FYI: A female Loggerhead Turtle is on board with the non-motorized sports program as Ms. Green, the resorts green concierge reports that The Reef does indeed have a turtle nest with hatchlings due in August. No Jet Skies here!

Book in advance as Power Snorkeling is hot and often sells out way in advance; (conceirge@thereef.com

Catch a Glimpse of Ancient History Sailing the Dodecanese with Wildland Adventures

Wildland Adventures
CONTACT: Kurt Kutay
TEL: 206-365-0686
E-MAIL: info@wildland.com
WEBSITE: www.wildland.com

Island hopping the Greek and Turkish Dodecanese archipeligo in the western Aegean is the best way to appreciate the cultural and natural beauty of this region that produced the history of tragedies, triumphs, and comedy that have become the foundation of classical western culture. Wildland Adventures offers five distinct itineraries into this dynamic and exotic destination, but the September departure of the “Ancient Aegean of Turkey and Greece” promises every participant personal insights not available on any other tours.

The September 23, 2009 departure is a veteran group of Wildland travelers who are returning to Turkey for a more in-depth exploration of the region and its people.
They will be accompanied by expert Wildland guide Ozlem Ozgoren who has been leading tours throughout Turkey since 1989, and will ensure travelers receive a first-person look into local life and history — not only will the group stay in her home village of Urla, but she will introduce them to local families, shopkeepers, fisherman and craft artisans, and take the group to the remote archaeological site rarely visited where she conducted her academic research.

Highlights of this 15-day journey along the Aegean coast include visits to Gallipoli, Troy, Assos, Pergamum, Aphrodisias, and the extraordinary ruins of Ephesus. Activities include hiking, reading, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, exploring Greek and Turkish villages, meeting locals, discovering ancient ruins and enjoying delectable Turkish and Greek cuisine.

Participants will visit one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Bodrum’s tomb of King Mausolus at Halikarnassu, experience an active volcano on the island of Nisyros, and the ruins at Knidos, as well as many other distinguished and historical sites.

Lodging consists of historic hotels, 150-year old homes that have been converted into self-contained guest accommodations or on board a first-class Turkish gulet during the weeklong sailing portion of the trip.

The “Ancient Aegean of Turkey and Greece” itinerary is a one-time departure in 2009, from September 23 through October 8.

The trip begins at $5065 per person, based on a group size of 10-11 participants. (Travelers should also budget approximately $175 for the return flight to Istanbul at the end of the trip.) For those who have never been to Turkey, or who are looking for a thorough overview of the region, Wildland Adventures’ 12-day “Voyaging Among the Dodecanese of Turkey and Greece” itinerary shares many of the same destinations and historic sites.

That may be why National Geographic Traveler ranked it one of the ‘50 Best Tours of a Lifetime’ in the May 2009 issue. Just like in the Ancient Aegean tour, travelers will hike stunning coastlines, explore the Nisyros volcano, and visit Bodrum’s tomb — discovering many of the same historical locations that have influenced western culture.

En route, guests will sail on a first-class Turkish gulet, which can make port at smaller docks, allowing for a more insightful view of local culture and traditions. “Voyaging Among the Dodecanese of Turkey and Greece” has both scheduled departure dates (July 12-23 and August 16-27) and by-request departures, and begins at $4195 per person.

For more information on Wildland Adventures’ journeys to Turkey, where classic ruins and living history can be found around every corner, visit THIS LINK   or , call 800-345-4453 or e-mail info@wildland.com.

About Wildland Adventures

Wildland Adventures was founded in 1986 by Kurt and Anne Kutay with the intention of offering authentic worldwide cultural and natural history explorations for active and inquisitive travelers. Wildland Adventures was rated the #1 Best ‘Do-It-All’ Adventure Outfitter on Earth in 2009 by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, moving up from the #4 spot held in 2008.

Wildland also operates educational fundraising trips in conjunction with the non-profit Americans for UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities), an international agency that promotes the right of women and their families to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.

At the core of Wildland Adventures is its commitment to conservation and authenticity. On a Wildland Adventures’ trip, there are remarkably few barriers between visitors and local cultures, creating an authenticity in the way people travel and the places they encounter. A sample of destinations offered by Wildland Adventures includes Costa Rica, Peru, Patagonia, Belize, Alaska, Turkey, the Middle East, India, Africa, New Zealand and Antarctica.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo —Fans of the Twilight book series now have the opportunity to express the beloved book character Alice’s love of fashion during a book series fan trip called “Passion for Fashion”.

In addition to Twilight, Wendy Chuck has worked on many films and worked with such stars as Jack Nicholson and Reece Witherspoon. Her movie credits include Twilight, Sideways, About Schmidt, Bad Santa, and The Piano, among others. Macy’s will be opening their doors early exclusively for fashion show participants, guests will have four floors of outfits and accessories to choose from, and prizes will be awarded to the winners.

The final night of the trip includes an exclusive Prom at the View Point Inn, the film location where Edward and Bella share romantic moments after their prom.

This 7-day/6-night trip begins in Washington on the Quileute Reservation and concludes in Portland, Oregon.

In addition to the fashion contest and prom, participants will be immersed in a sensory exploration of film locations including access to private locations, exclusive conversations with people involved in the filming of Twilight, and much more.

On this fashion and prom party trip, for Twilight-loving girls, participants even get to play dress up in a “Fashionista” Contest, judged by Wendy Chuck, the costume designer on the Twilight movie.

www.beyondboundariestravel.com

For anyone visiting Ireland, who is interested in whiskey, history or just a bit of “craic” in great Irish pubs, then The Ireland Whiskey Trail is the route to follow.

This Whiskey Trail includes the distilleries and whiskey museums of Ireland, and also the best whiskey pubs and bars in the country. It also includes Ireland’s best whiskey shops and the website additionally provides a comprehensive guide to Irish whiskey brands and the lost distilleries of Ireland.

The Ireland Whiskey Trail provides all the necessary information for visitors to include whichever distilleries, pubs, etc. they are interested in, into their itinerary.

Alternatively, people can build their visit to Ireland around the Whiskey Trail and make their own Whiskey Journey of Discovery around the country.

The Ireland Whiskey Trail is the brainchild of Heidi Donelon, Ireland’s best known independent whiskey expert.

For many years, she travelled all over Ireland and Europe hosting Whiskey Tasting Events and Seminars and has now spent the last 18 months researching Irish distilleries – both past and present – and checking out a multitude of great Irish pubs and bars throughout the country for her project. As she says, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it!

The Ireland Whiskey Trail website is backed up by a detailed and colourful Whiskey Trail Map/Brochure, available in Tourist Offices and at international Whisky Shows.

For 2010, Heidi plans to research the old distilleries and find the best Irish whiskey pubs of Northern Ireland.

For more information about Ireland visit http://www.discoverireland.com or for a free vacation planning kit call the NY office at 800/223-6470. Read Ireland feature stories from Jetsetters Magazine at this link:

Scottsdale is synonymous with luxury. And while times have changed and discretionary income is tighter, people are still traveling and the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau wants to make sure that the well-heeled visitor chooses Scottsdale for their next one-of-a-kind getaway. This world-class travel destination evokes images of high-end resorts, rejuvenating spas and championship golf courses with the majestic Sonoran Desert as the backdrop. Whether the sophisticated traveler wants to learn to be a cowboy, be pampered in a desert-inspired spa, experience an adrenaline rush by soaring over the Grand Canyon or get away from it all in a mountainous hideaway, Scottsdale possesses what they desire.

The Scottsdale CVB is satisfying these travelers with the unique experiences they seek with the recent debut of Scottsdale Classics, seven extraordinary vacation packages ranging from $4,600-25,000 and selected to introduce travelers to the treasures of Scottsdale and Arizona in the style and luxury they deserve.

Some of the unique travel experiences include: exclusive vault tour at Molina Fine Jewelers; luxury accommodations at world-class resorts like Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa and The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa ; private jet to the Grand Canyon including a helicopter tour below the rim and champagne reception along the Colorado River; and an interactive culinary demonstration and dinner with nationally known chefs.

The disparity in Cape Town, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park complement one another and this is reflected in Transfrontier Parks Destinations (http://www.tfpd.co.za/)

Transfrontier Parks Destinations

(http://www.tfpd.co.za/)

 managing Machampane safari camp in Mozambique’s Parque Nacional do Limpopo, today announced the completion of a successful partnership with Kingsley Holgate and his Boundless Southern Africa Expedition. Kingsley and the Boundless team spent time at Machampane during a five day journey through Parque Nacional do Limpopo, the transfrontier park joining South African,

Mozambique and Zimbabwe, camping in the wilderness and undertaking community work en-route.

Boundless Southern Africa is a collection of nine elected countries that have been branded together to bring awareness to the various transfrontier conservation areas.

These nine countries are brought together by their enthusiasm for nature, culture, and community. Through this brand the countries can offer travelers the chance to connect with local communities and to discover their culture, history and sustained conservation of the environment and cultural heritage.

A Transfrontier Conservation Area is defined as “an area straddling across two or more international borders where the natural and cultural resources are collaboratively managed by the governments and authorities involved”.

Endorsed by the Peace Parks Foundation, many of the transfrontier parks, including the Parque Nacional do Limpopo, are being marketed in terms of ecosystems and not in terms of political or geographical boundaries.

“At Transfrontier Parks Destinations (http://www.tfpd.co.za/)  we are thrilled that this project brings together African nations as viable and worthy collective tourist destinations, thereby boosting economic growth,” said Glynn O’Leary, Managing Director of Transfrontier Parks Destinations (http://www.tfpd.co.za/)

“We are focused on a greater collaboration between African countries when it comes to conserving and protecting this continent’s rich and extraordinary environments, nature, heritage and cultures.”

The community work on the Boundless Southern Africa Expedition included providing two large libraries of books for schools in the town of Massingir as well as leveling, marking and providing the goalposts for a soccer field that hosted a match between the town’s young people as part of an outreach program for the forthcoming 2010 World Cup in Africa.

“The group spent time educating the local communities in the use and importance of mosquito nets before handing out high quality nets to nearly 1,000 pregnant women and mothers with young children in the villages of Massingir, Machamba, Chimangue and Mapai.

“The expedition also provided children in these communities, who attend school sitting on the ground under a tree, with plastic desks for their laps so that they have something firm on which to write.

The disparity in Cape Town, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park complement one another and this is reflected in Transfrontier Parks Destinations (http://www.tfpd.co.za/) accommodation offerings thus creating a Southern Africa safari experience that is truly unique. From the vast deep greens of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park to the rich reds of the sandy Kgalagadi dunes to the classic blues of the converging oceans that make Cape Town so special, each area presents something exclusive for the intrepid traveler.

!Xaus Lodge, offers a one of a kind Bushman experience, Machampane is perfect for activities such as walking safaris, 4X4 treks and canoeing safaris, and Moonglow Guest House is a relaxing travel stop after a long flight. For more information please visit: http://www.tfpd.co.za

About Transfrontier Parks Destinations

Transfrontier Parks Destinations:: +27.21.701.7860 :: http://www.TFPD.co.za  : info@tfpd.co.za

With camps and lodges spanning the Transfrontier Parks: Great Limpopo and Kgalagadi as well as a guest house in Cape Town, Transfrontier Park Destinations provides luxury accommodations for travelers to Southern Africa. Guests enjoy the traditional Bushman experience at !Xaus Lodge in northern South Africa, walking through the wilderness trails at Machampane camp in Mozambique and visiting the classic city of Cape Town while staying at Moonglow Guesthouse.

Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat – The Bug Bucket  Hat by Outdoor Research has a no-see-um headnet that protects your face and neck from those annoying insects. When you are not using the net, it can be rolled up over the brim of the hat or tucked under the crown.

OPENS IN JUDEAN DESERT

The Museum of the Good Samaritan, one of the world’s largest mosaic museums, opened to the public this month in the Judean Desert near Jerusalem.

Located on the main highway between Jerusalem and Jericho, the Museum rests near the site of the inn mentioned in the New Testament’s parable of the good Samaritan.

It is identified with the biblical town of Ma’ale Adumim and displays mosaics and artifacts discovered throughout Israel.

“The Museum of the Good Samaritan will provide additional inspiration to travelers arriving in Israel this summer,” says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America, “and will serve as an exciting new attraction enabling visitors to examine ancient relics from twenty centuries ago.”

The museum also features an open-air display of mosaics and archaeological findings from both Jewish and Samaritan synagogues and Christian churches, including cisterns and remnants from the reconstructed Good Samaritan Byzantine Church.

For more information, please visit

www.goisrael.com

Amankora, Bhutan

Amankora, in the spectacular Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, gives guests the opportunity to truly escape through the Aman ethos of tranquility and timelessness.

The Amankora circuit offers stays at five lodges nestled strategically throughout the pristine Bhutanese landscape.

Many contemporary and modern amenities fuse with traditional design but given the remote nature of Bhutan, cell-phone service is not available and therefore not a distraction to the harmony and mystical nature of this special place. Limited internet connection is available at three of the lodges. www.amanresorts.com