Jetsettersblog

Think big when it comes to Queensland and dinosaurs – after all, it’s home to spectacular dinosaur footprints, large fossil marsupial sites and dinosaur remains, great dinosaur digs and expansive fossil collections.

You’ll find some of the world’s most amazing fossils in the Queensland Outback and they are still being unearthed. One hundred million years ago this part of the world lay under inland seas filled with marine reptiles, and prehistoric creatures roamed the shoreline.

Exploring this history is made easy with Australia’s Dinosaur Trail (http://www.australiasdinosaurtrail.com  a drive taking in the towns of Winton, Hughenden and Richmond and their surrounds. Follow the trail and unearth incredible displays and fossil collections including footprints from a stampede, dig up the past at public fossicking sites or join an organised fossil dig.

The Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways are located 110km from Winton and are the world’s only recorded evidence of a dinosaur stampede which took place approximately 95 million years ago.

The footprints tell the story of a large herd of small, two legged dinosaurs who gathered on the banks of a forest lake to drink. They were stalked by a large theropod and panicked, stampeding across the muddy flats to escape.

The record of their stampede is cast in more than 3,300 fossilised footprints which are now conserved in an ecologically, sustainably-designed building in Lark Quarry Conservation Park. Regular tours to the site bring to life the dinosaurs whose footprints remain etched in the rock. www.dinosaurtrackways.com.au

There is more dinosaur history in Winton at the Corfield and Fitzmaurice Building where the skeletal remains of “Elliot”, Australia’s largest known dinosaur are displayed.

He was discovered on a Winton sheep station in September, 1999. Other fossils and a dinosaur diorama recounting the stampede at Lark Quarry are also on display.

On the road out of Winton to Longreach the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum (AAOD) is coming to life at the Jump Up. Stage One of this Museum of Natural History, a new fossil preparation facility and staff accommodation, will open in June. AAOD has been involved in the discovery, recovery and conservation of dinosaur fossils from Western Queensland and the existing dinosaur fossil preparation facility has operated at Belmont Station since 2006. The museum is expected to be completed and operational by 2013. www.australianageofdinosaurs.com

Around 200km north is Hughenden, home to the towering statue of “Mutt” the Muttaburrasaurus.

This is the place for fossickers as there are a number of designated fossicking areas close to the town where it is possible to unearth the remains of shells and prehistoric creatures. The layers of sediment and rock formations in nearby Porcupine Gorge tell the stories of the different eras throughout time.

Complete the Dinosaur Trail and head 112km west on the Overlander’s Way to Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond.

This centre displays local fossils from the inland sea that covered a large section of Queensland 120 million years ago and of which Richmond was the geographical centre.

The centre contains more than 200 individual exhibits including “Minmi”, a 100 million year old armoured dinosaur with impressions of its fossilized skin, and the “Richmond Pliosaur”, Australia’s best vertebrate fossil.

Guests can watch the resident curator at work preparing new-found fossils for display.

Information and mud maps are available at the centre showing free designated fossicking sites for those keen to make their own discoveries which can then be brought back to the curator for identification.

www.kronosauruskorner.com.au

Another popular dinosaur encounter is the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields in Boodjamulla National Park in north-west Queensland are among the richest and most extensive in the world, with some fossils dating back 15 to 25 million years. The site provides exceptional examples of the first records of many groups of living mammals including marsupial moles and feather-tailed possums as well as for extinct species like the ‘marsupial lion’.

The area open to the public was one of the first fossil deposits found in Mount Isa. Visitors who can’t get to the actual fields can also come face-to-face with the prehistoric inhabitants of Outback Australia through video displays, dioramas and scientific displays at the Riversleigh Fossil Centre at the Outback at Isa complex. Guided tours of the laboratory show the resident paleontologist and trained staff freeing fossil bones of extinct creatures from limestone. www.outbackatisa.com.au

Dinosaur enthusiasts can also assist the Queensland Museum Geosciences with their research by applying for a position as an honorary technical assistant. Projects can include working with the collection and preparing/sorting fossils and joining palaeontologists on dinosaur digs. www.qm.qld.gov.au/features/dinosaurs/volunteer/index.asp

Younger dinosaur fans should explore the Energex Playasaurus Place at the Queensland Museum where the much loved, life-sized dinosaur statues of a T-Rex and a Triceratops now take pride of place. Entry is free and the space is packed with interactive activities. Visitors can trace the story of energy throughout the ages from the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth, check out x-ray images of the baby dinosaurs in the eggs in the nest protected by the triceratops, learn how the famous T-Rex replica came to live at the museum and compare the size of a human foot with the footprints left by dinosaurs at the Lark Quarry stampede. www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au

And finally there is Dig the Tropic, a geo-journey from Central Queensland to the Outback where it is possible to see unique fossil deposits and amazing rainforest menagerie frozen in time. Sites of interest along the way include the ancient Capricorn Caves near Rockhampton where you can watch a specialist from the Queensland Museum uncover the fossil remains of bulldog-sized ringtail possums, gigantic pythons known as mastoid snakes and Australia’s largest fossil frog.

An interpretive walk through the Camoo Caves in Mt Etna Caves National Park exposes limestone which is a 380 million year old fossilised coral reef. The drive continues west to Winton and the Outback dinosaurs and onto the Stone House Museum at Boulia with its display of vertebrate and invertebrate fossils including the remains of large fossil marine reptiles, sharks, and fish. www.digthetropic.com.au

The First World-Class Hotel in the City of Mandurah

The brand new Sebel Mandurah is open for business…Be one of the first to experience this luxury, waterfront hotel with opening specials from $AUD135*!

Just 50 minutes drive south of Perth, overlooking the Harvey Estuary at The Point, The Sebel Mandurah boasts a picturesque location, 4.5 star accommodation and exemplary ‘Sebel’ service all within walking distance of Mandurah’s best cafes, dining and shopping.

Choose from 84 beautifully appointed guestrooms, including 75 studios, 3 one bedroom suites and 3 two bedroom suites with individually controlled air-conditioning, mini bar, high-speed internet access, Foxtel and opening windows. Plus all Sebel guestrooms boast private balconies with impressive water or town vistas.

Whether it’s an early morning ‘heart-starter’ swim or twilight by the pool, stretched out on the extra comfy lounge chairs, The Sebel’s 15m long heated lap pool and recreation deck will meet all your recreation needs. And for those with a little more energy, the hotel also features a well equipped gymnasium.

The Sebel Mandurah also offers all the creature comforts of a world-class hotel including 24-hour reception, room service, daily house keeping, valet dry-cleaning and laundry and a Business Centre.

For some much deserved ‘rest and relaxation’ order room service, put your feet up and simply enjoy the superb guestroom features while soaking up stunning views across the bay, or alternatively merely stroll downstairs onto the board-walk for dining and entertainment options; a cosmopolitan restaurant, bar and lively tavern, are right on your doorstep for signature and casual dining, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Sebel is also located right next door to the Performing Arts Centre and right in the heart of Mandurah with an excellent array of cafés, restaurants and bars, ice-cream parlours and specialty pie shops, for your added enjoyment.

Discover the delights of Mandurah- the Marina, Abingdon Miniature Village, Dolphin Quay Markets, Marapana Wildlife Park, Barragup Botanical Gardens and world-class golf courses, only moments away.

For those with a passion for water sports, The Sebel is a perfect base to discover the aquatic life of Mandurah with long white sandy beaches, plenty of fantastic fishing spots, impressive surfing, jet skiing, water skiing and cruising along the waterways and canals. Plus delightful scenes of Mandurah’s wild-life including pelicans and dolphins right outside your room.

Anytime is Mandurah time….. especially right now!

For further information visit www.mirvachotels.com/sebel-mandurah
*Rate is per room per night, subject to availability and conditions may apply. Valid to 31 August 2009.

Enjoy More, Spend Less

For Australian travellers heading off to Seoul in the next six months Korea Tourism Organization has released a new discount coupon booklet offering savings of up to 50% off on a wide range of restaurants, leisure activities, duty free shops etc. Along with the present high exchange rate for the Australian dollar there is no better time to visit the country.

The coupon booklet is designed for independent tourists and discounts apply to duty free stores in Seoul’s downtown area, at theme parks like Everland south of Seoul, restaurants, theatre performances and much more. With at least 22 different offers available, visitors will be able to reap the benefits while traveling in Korea. At the time of purchase, visitors present the discount coupon to receive up to 50% off at participating stores and locations.

Discount coupon booklets are valid for use to December 31, 2009 and will be available from the Sydney office of Korea Tourism Organization, request your copy today by email: visitkorea@knto.org.au Phone: 02)9252-4147/8

Travellers should make good use of the advanced online reservation system on Korea Tourism Organization’s official website: www.visitkorea.or.kr

To meet the needs of an ever increasing number of independent travellers to Korea tourists can easily make reservations for accommodation, performances, mobile phone and car rentals.

You can book not only five-star hotels but also local home-stay reservations where you can stay in a Korean home and gain a real cultural experience. There is also an area where you can make a reservation for a temple-stay experience, another of the unique experiences you can enjoy in Korea.

As part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Heavenly Bed, Westin Hotels & Resorts has introduced three additions to its Heavenly product line, and unveiled a new online retail experience complete with an interactive showroom and retail concierge. Designed to elevate the senses,

Westin hotel’s growing Heavenly lifestyle brand now includes a Heavenly Bath Line created with Bliss Spa, a Heavenly Travel Blanket, and a Heavenly Robe that recently debuted at its growing collection of Heavenly Spa by Westin. Inspired by the brand’s very popular, signature White Tea in-room amenity offerings that debuted earlier this year, the new Heavenly Bath Line already has a following — a waiting list of 1,100 guests eager to purchase the items for their home.

Modeled after a brick-and-mortar store and designed to provide a personalized retail experience, the new Westin online store features an Interactive Retail Concierge to assist with purchases, tips on making the Heavenly Bed, product suggestions based on recent purchases, and easy one-click shopping.

For more information, visit www.westin.com/store

Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, has added nearly 600 rooms to Anchorage’s hotel inventory.

The new hotels follow the completion of the $111 million, 215,000-square-foot Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in the fall of 2008. As Anchorage expects continued growth in the meeting and visitor industry, hotels have followed suit, hoping to accommodate the additional market for meeting delegates, business travelers and leisure visitors to Anchorage.

Additions include the 78-room Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport and the full-service, luxury midtown hotel, Embassy Suites.

Slated for completion before the end of summer are the University Lake Springhill Suites by Marriott and a 165-room Crowne Plaza.

For more information, visit www.anchorage.net/2581.cfm

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced its continued expansion in Latin America with the grand opening of the Wyndham Garden Hotel Mexico City-Polanco. Owned and operated by Prados Camelinas S.A. de C.V., the hotel is located at Leon Tolston No. 22 in the heart of Mexico City’s financial district, just steps away from world-class restaurants and high-end shopping on Paseo de la Reforma Avenue.

The hotel’s 81 guest rooms and suites are equipped with high-speed wired and wireless Internet access, 32-inch flat-screen televisions with premium channels and Wyndham signature BeWell bedding.

The hotel also features state-of-the-art business and fitness centers, a ‘virtual gift shop’ with 24-hour delivery service, 376 square feet of meeting space, and an Eat. Refresh. Live.SM Wyndham Cafe´ serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.

With the addition of the Wyndham Garden Hotel Mexico City-Polanco, the Wyndham brand now has 24 hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America.

• Daily Dose – Opened in October 2008,

Daily Dose has quickly become a local hotspot with its stylish yet down-to-earth atmosphere and accessible American comfort food. The restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner and is owned by Matt and JenLyn Long of nearby Fusion Restaurant & Lounge.

The Hangover sandwich is one of the menu highlights with applewood-smoked bacon, turkey sausage and caramelized jalapeño and onion between thick slices of sourdough toast. Or, you can pay homage to the good ol’ south with traditional biscuits and gravy. In the mornings visitors can sit back with a cup of coffee and newspaper on the restaurant’s cozy outdoor patio or toss back a few cold ones with friends later in the day before a night out on the town.

• Petite Maison – Headed by local favorite, Chef James Porter, formerly of Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar, the French-themed country bistro will bring comfort to travelers with quality food at a lower price point.

A compact menu – matching the size of the quaint restaurant that will only seat about 80 people – focuses on classic Gallic for lunch, dinner and brunch with highlights like beignets and chicory coffee. Scheduled to open in summer 2009.

• The Chef’s Loft – Set for the SouthBridge district, this state-of-the-art chef’s studio will play host to a culinary school with classes headed by renowned chefs from across the country.

With a fully stocked kitchen from Viking Range Corporation, The Chef’s Loft will include space for private events in addition to public demonstrations for guests.

The space also will be used as a set for lifestyle television shows, documentaries, commercials and more. Opening fall 2009.

FOR LONG-STAYS

All-inclusive adults-only resort to offer value-added rates starting at $170 per room, per night for stays of 7, 12 or 14 nights along with complimentary night and all food and beverages.

PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC –

The 190-room Victoria Resort Golf & Beach is offering travelers desiring to summer in paradise without the exorbitant costs, an unbeatable offer of one night complimentary when booking a 7, 12 or 14 night stay.

The offer is available now through August 31, 2009 and includes all meals, beverages and activities. Rates start at just $170 per room, per night and are exclusive of all tax and charges.

Designed by Sarah Garcia, one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated architects, Victoria Resort Golf & Beach is set within the grounds of the 250-acre Playa Dorada complex of championship golf course and the golden sand beaches of the Dominican Republic’s sparkling north coast.

Victoria Golf & Beach Resort provides its guests with amenities synonymous with upscale properties such as newly renovated accommodations, fine dining choices and customized services at significant cost savings. The resort’s classic architecture and specially selected designs, featuring materials such as cool marble, rich woods, elegant cottons and natural fabrics creates an atmosphere that is distinctively Caribbean, yet soothing.

Ms. Garcia’s keen instincts with regard to the guests’ needs, along with her perspective as a female traveler, has resulted in a hospitality experience celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of the Dominican Republic in a setting that is warm, inviting and intimate.

A host of activities is also available including non-motorized water sports (complimentary), fitness center, main pool and quiet pool with Jacuzzi and live entertainment at nearby Playa Dorada. An Internet lounge is also available for use at a nominal fee.

Victoria Resort is situated on the championship 36-hole Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Golf Course, named one of the best golf courses outside of the United States by Golf Digest. Guests at Victoria Golf & Beach Resort will also receive a 20 percent discount on individual green fees during their stay.

Long-Stay offer – 7, 12 or 14 night stays. Complimentary night.

Situated in the heart of the Medina, maison mk a quirky six bedroom riad is offering a complete VIP party house experience.

Fire eaters in the courtyard, clairvoyants predicting the future and henna tattooists merge to create the perfect traditional Moroccan celebration.

No matter how simple or elaborate the occasion, the maison mk team will arrange everything from extravagant parties, sunset cocktails on the stylish roof terrace, pampering treatments in the on-site spa and hammam, VIP entrance into Marrakech’s hippest bars and personal shopping trips around the bustling medina.

The riad has six suites and is perfect for groups of friends or families. The open roof terrace, restaurant, refreshing pool, cinema room, spa and hammam will keep guests entertained day and night in comfort and style. maison mk takes the phrase ‘making an entrance’ to a new level, with camels leading guests through the winding passages of the medina to the riad where they enter a magical world of snake charmers, romantic story tellers and exotic belly dancers.

To get the most out of their Moroccan experience maison mk can also arrange a number of exciting and unusual activities from sand boarding in the desert, visits around the medina and haggling lessons to get the best bargains. In the evening guests can enjoy cocktails on the roof terrace with views over the bustling Medina followed by a traditional Moroccan meal prepared by the maison mk chef. If guests want to experience the Marrakech nightlife, maison mk will organise VIP entrance into the top bars, restaurants and clubs.

maison mk opened in February last year and is the creation of professional fashion and portrait photographers Paul and Aoibheann Hopkins. Their artistic vision has been implemented with their team of leading international interior designers and lighting consultants, and has led to the creation of a sophisticated space that surprises and delights. maison mk represents a glimpse of the Marrakech of tomorrow with cutting edge design concepts within a historic Moroccan framework.

The beautiful riad mixes contemporary design with functional features and of each of the rooms houses a pre-loaded iPod with chilled ambient music. There is a pre-programmed mobile phone containing all the essential numbers from where to eat to what to buy ensuring that when guests are out and about they are never far away from local knowledge.

maison mk is a perfect hideaway for groups of friends wanting a short break in this enchanting city or a once in a lifetime party they will never forget. Rooms start at €300 based on two sharing or €1500 for the riad as a whole.

A number of airlines fly to Marrakech including Easy Jet, Ryan Air, and Air Maroc.

www.maisonmk.com

The Art of Ventures introduces another eco chic lodge to its already established portfolio of properties with the launch of Olarro. Situated in an escarpment on the Loita Hills in South Western Kenya, Olarro has incredible views over the plains below and offers The Art of Ventures unbeatable safari style.

The retreat, split into Main Olarro and Little Olarro, has a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, offers private dining with breathtaking views, an indulging mini spa and the opportunity to take part in a variety of game viewing activities.

This new addition follows the same eco ethos and design of all The Art of Ventures properties. Artistically built with undulating curves mimicking the rolling hillside in which the lodge is set, Olarro blends effortlessly into its surroundings.

Compromising of six cottages co-joined through a common sitting area it is ideal for friend or families. The expansive deck with 180 degree views is the perfect location to enjoy a sundowner whilst overlooking this pristine area of Africa.

The split level swimming pool provides guests with ultimate privacy and is the ideal place for a cool dip to escape the heat of the African sun.

Built largely from local materials, Olarro is a continuation of the partnership between the Maasai of the local group ranch community and the Lodge. Using a local labour force in the construction, providing employment and re-training the local community,

Olarro is also working to build schools, water processing plants and a conservancy area educating the people on preserving the animals and aiming to reduce the human effects on wildlife and nature.

The inclusion of Little Olarro, a private house, offers extra privacy and seclusion with a luxury suite and master bedroom, smaller twin bedroom, lounge, dining area and veranda all again with spectacular views over the Loita plains. Little Olarro also has its own entrance, private kitchen and deck area.

Not only is Olarro the perfect place to relax and unwind in a serene environment, there are also an abundance of activities for guests to take part in. Situated in its own conservancy Olarro offers bush walks, game drives and specialised bird watching with the licensed guides. A stay at Olarro is made even more special with the opportunity to fly over the million strong wildebeest and zebra migration using a privately chartered aircraft, hot air balloon or helicopter. The attentive and friendly staff will prepare picnics for breakfast, lunch or drinks and gourmet appetizers to enjoy out in the bush.

Olarro is a remarkable destination for a truly African experience, one which families, friends and couples will never forget.

Olarro starts from XXX per night for more information and images please see www.smallworldmarketing.co.uk

The Art of Ventures was established in 2000 where the mandate was, and continues to be, to create a comprehensive portfolio of products within Kenya as well as exploring new and exciting destinations within Africa and further afield. The Art of Ventures has pioneered a business model which has proved to be successful in creating a unique community partnership where the underlying philosophy behind the ventures’ mission statement is to combine exceptional properties with innovative design in unique areas whilst working closely and in partnership with rural communities in conserving their environment as well as the sustainable use of natural resources.

In order to achieve this end the venture recognizes the importance of ‘the 4 c’s’ namely conservation, community, capacity building, and commerce.

The Art of Ventures was set up to offer guest’s exceptional properties, in unique areas whilst working closely and in partnership with rural communities in conserving their environment. It currently has two other properties in its portfolio, Shompole Lodge, situated on the shores of Lake Natron and Naibor Camp located in the heart of the Maasai Mara Reserve.