Jetsettersblog

Lively Voyage through National Park Begins with a Cell Phone Call

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, — Guide by Cell, the nation’s leading mobile technology provider for nonprofit organizations, announced the launch of a cell phone audio guide for the San Francisco Maritime National Park.

The audio guide is a treat to any visitor thirsty for the Pacific Coast’s rich maritime history to experience along San Francisco’s vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf.

The audio tour presents a most unique museum experience that invites visitors to come aboard historic ships, hear sea-faring stories, and learn of the Bay Area’s rich nautical past, combined into one audio tour requiring nothing more than a cell phone.

“I can’t think of a more pertinent museum to the San Francisco area than the Maritime Museum, especially for anyone wanting to understand more about this region,” said Marc Hayman, the Chief Interpretation and Visitors Services Director at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. “The Maritime Museum really does offer something for everyone in terms of the historical perspective, diversity, uniqueness, and of course the excitement of experiencing historic ships up close.

The museum comes alive in a unique way.

We believe Guide by Cell has created a wonderful experience with this tour because what visitors will experience will be one they will remember for many years.”

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, a national park that manages the Maritime Museum, wanted to increase the public’s awareness and appreciation for maritime history in an innovative way. The audio guide was chosen to complement the public’s appreciation for San Francisco’s rich maritime history San Francisco is associated with and to bring an important context about the museums history and its remarkable ships to light.

“A visit to the Maritime Museum goes and hand-in-hand with discovering San Francisco,” Hayman said. “It’s exciting to offer the public this new way to of discover the significance of maritime industry through the city’s history which becomes vibrantly clear when visitors listen to the audio guide,” added Hayman.

The audio guide is simple to use for anyone visiting the Maritime Museum. Visitors see a sign alerting them to an audio stop. They call a local n umber on their cell phone and immediately are immersed into an engaging stay. .

“We are delighted about our collaboration with the Maritime Museum,” stated David Asheim, President and Founder of Guide by Cell Inc. “This is one of the most historic and unique museums in the city and I’m certain visitors will be awed to learn and hear what this museum offers. Only cell phone audio guide to world’s most extraordinary ships and maritime stories makes the experience fun and technologically innovative.”

ABOUT GUIDE BY CELL

Guide by Cell is the official provider of mobile solutions to over 500 nonprofit organizations, including several walking tours, national and state parks, aquariums and zoos, libraries, universities, and art and history museums.

Over 20 institutions in the San Francisco area use Guide by Cell’s mobile technologies services.

Guide by Cell turns cell phones into mobile technology solutions. The company is the largest provider in the world of cell phone audio tours and text messaging solutions for non-profits.

The company also provides Smartphone applications for Apple and Blackberry. The company has recently launched a new division called Give by Cell to provide nonprofits throughout the United States with the ability to raise donations through text messages sent by their visitors and patrons.

Information about Guide by Cell Inc. can be found at http://www.guidebycell.com

Information about Give by Cell can be found at http://www.givebycell.com

SMILE – LILY’S ON SAFARI
Sun is in the sky, so why oh why would Lily wanna be anywhere else

Pop sensation Lily Allen certainly isn’t feeling hard done by after swapping the urban jungle of London for the vast majestic plains of South Africa. The starlet praised her dream break through social networking site Twitter, saying it was the most amazing place she’s ever been.

South Africa’s diverse scenery and wildlife make it the perfect place to go on safari. Its mesmerising landscape and impressive array of wildlife make it a popular choice with game enthusiasts and safari first timers like Lily.

Wowing people from all walks life, the South African safari suitably charmed Lily Allen as she twittered about her adventure with sightings of big cats, graceful elephants and herds of antelope. Ending her safari diary Lily commented on Twitter “I love this place, if I had a husband, I’d sell everything and move here.”

Somak Holidays is offering the chance to experience the magic of a South African Safari from only £1,405 per person.

SOMAK HOLIDAYS, MADIKWE RIVER LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA – SIX NIGHTS FROM ONLY £1,405 PER PERSON

Experience the thrill of safari by visiting the 75,000 hectare, malaria-free Madikwe game reserve which offers prime viewing of lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos. Additionally, the reserve is home to rare wild dog, a key animal on any game viewers list. Madikwe game reserve also caters for children, organising special game drives so the whole family can enjoy the experience. Stay at the tranquil Madikwe River Lodge, South Africa, situated 380 kilometres from Johannesburg and ideally positioned on the Groot Marico River in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve.

Facilities such as swimming pool with sun deck, rock pool, shops, bush dinners and a full bar service are available.

Daily activities include early morning and late afternoon game drives.

Prices start at £1,405 per person for six nights at the Madikwe River Lodge, South Africa.

The price includes return scheduled flights, transfers and game drives.

For more information or to book go to www.somak.co.uk  or call 020 8423 3000

At the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, they are calling it the world’s most expensive holiday package. So what do you get for $1 million a week?

The package for two guests includes:

• First class return trip from any international destination serviced by Etihad Airlines to Abu Dhabi

• Seven night stay in a Palace Suite at Emirates Palace on an all-inclusive basis

• Chauffeur driven auto at a guest’s disposal daily during their stay in Abu Dhabi

• Daily spa treatment in the Anantara Spa

• Day trip in private jet to Iran to create a guest’s own Persian carpet from the most exclusive and well-renowned hand-maker

• Day trip in private jet to the Dead Sea Jordan to experience the famous sea and an afternoon Anantara spa treatment in the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar

• Day trip to Bahrain in private jet for a pearl deep sea experience, with pearls then designed with jewelry settings

• Royal Golf experience at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

• A chance for guests to make their own perfume with experts from YAS Perfume

• A deep sea fishing trip

• Gifts including champagne sunset and desert island tour

• Gifts including the rarest pearls in the world from Robert Wang and a selection from Holland & Holland Sporting Guns

And oh yes, guests get their very own IT butler. One was not enough.

Carey International, Inc., the worldwide leader in chauffeured transportation and value-added logistics management, today announced the appointment of Michael Devine Chauffeur Services Ltd. as the new Carey licensee in Ireland to join its global network.

Established in Dublin in 1978, Devines has been owned and managed by the same family, offering more than 30 years of high quality chauffeured services combining tradition and dynamism.

With regional hubs in both Dublin and Belfast — the only limousine company to cover both cities — Devines has dominated the Irish market in providing premium ground transportation solutions for music and entertainment tours, representing the majority of prominent music promoters, film companies and record labels.

Through the chauffeured transportation industry’s only global franchise network, Carey has built a network of branded companies operating in major business centers, delivering the same exceptional Carey service worldwide.

Carey is continually developing itself as it strives not only to fulfill, but also, exceed the expectations of our valued customers.

For more information, visit

www.carey.com

For more information about Ireland visit
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:

The famous Claret Jug, presented annually since 1873 to the winner of the British Open Golf Championship, was on show at Brunston Castle Golf Club.

AYRSHIRE, SCOTLAND – The famous Claret Jug, presented annually since 1873 to the winner of the British Open Golf Championship, was on show  at Brunston Castle Golf Club, before being taken on the 5 mile journey to Turnberry for this year’s tournament.

South Ayrshire Council leader Hugh Hunter, deputy leader Margaret Toner, deputy Provost Mary Kilpatrick and chief executive David Anderson attended an evening reception to mark the occasion, hosted by the directors of Brunston Castle Golf Club represented by general manager Cheryl Steven.

Also in attendance were directors and members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.

The first Open Championship was played in 1860 at Prestwick, and Prestwick hosted each of the first 11 British Opens.

Welcoming the Claret Jug back to South Ayrshire, Councillor Toner said: “The Open Championship, that will take place at Turnberry this year, ranks as one of the world’s premier annual sporting events. The first Open Championship was played over three rounds of Prestwick’s 12 hole course on 17 October 1860. Since then Turnberry and Royal Troon, located within South Ayrshire, have hosted the event on many occasions and brought pleasure to locals, visitors and those people around the globe who have watched it on television.”

Elite Ayrshire Business Circle executive chairman and Frazer Coogans Solicitors senior partner Norman Geddes added:

“It is a marvellous tonic for Ayrshire businesses to have the Open Championship return to Turnberry.

“I hope that many of the visitors during the Open will also take a look at Brunston Castle, a challenging and most scenic parkland course, situated only fifteen minutes drive from Turnberry.”

Brunston Castle Golf Club General Manager Cheryl Steven concluded:

“It has been a real thrill for all of us at Brunston Castle to welcome the Claret Jug home to Ayrshire.

“It is very humbling when we think of the rich history and the roll-call of great Champions who have held this trophy aloft.”

Brunston Castle Golf Club

http://www.brunstoncastle.co.uk

MIDSUMMER NIGHTS

Every Thursday evening this summer from 6-11PM, Jerusalem’s hottest new street, the Alrov Mamilla pedestrian mall, will come alive with free street entertainment and music, beginning July 2 and continuing through the end of August.

Connecting the Old City and New City of Jerusalem from the Jaffa Gate to King David Street, Alrov Mamilla Avenue will transform into a lively giant piazza featuring jugglers, acrobats, street artists, an arts and crafts fair, guided walking tours and live music.

In addition, a 3-D movie, entitled The City of David: This Is Where It All Began, will be screened on the Old City walls at 8PM every Thursday evening.

The summer-long street fair will also include a wide array of live performances by jazz bands, dance troupes, drum circles, Israeli vocal groups and other street performers in the avenue’s amphitheater.

“This exciting new stretch of Jerusalem street life, from the Jaffa Gate to the new Mamilla Hotel, is a great example of what a dynamic metropolitan destination Jerusalem remains,” says Arie Sommer, Commissioner of Tourism, North and South America.

“The unique setting of Alrov Mamilla Avenue between Jerusalem’s Old and New City will make for a truly unforgettable experience for visitors to Israel.”

Also, cafes, restaurants and shops on Alrov Mamilla Avenue will remain open to the public throughout every festival evening.

For more information, visit www.goisrael.com

The cities of Prague and Brno feature not-to-be-missed sporting events this summer.

In August, Czech Republic’s second largest city, Brno, will host the World Motorbike Championship from August 14-16.

For more details, visit www.czechtourism.com

An Orchard By The Sea

One of Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona’s new developments is a green garden and orchard by the sea – fruit and vegetables are grown and harvested here for the hotel’s main restaurant, with a menu composed of over 90% organic products.

If there is any one project that Chef Jordi Bataller and his team are particularly proud of it is the hotel’s orchard and vegetable garden, located in the midst of the property’s gardens by the sea and surrounded by seasoned fruit trees.

Alfonso, the environmental gardener, prepared the land to grow organic vegetables so the staff could pick the produce fresh from the garden and serve it to customers directly from the earth to the plate.

The hotel’s sous-chef José Lopez is a titled diet and nutrition specialist and works with the hotel’s second sous-chef to create delicious dishes, which are over 90% organic, for the hotel’s main restaurant Alminar, merging nutrition and creativity.

Executive Chef Jordi Bataller often invites guests to visit the orchard, where they can pick and taste the fruit and vegetables, as well as learn about horticulture.

For the younger ones, a visit to the orchard is one of the many activities offered in the Kids Club. Learning how an onion is cultivated, how to pick tomatoes from the vine and knowing how to recognise the many aromatic herbs is an entertaining and educational experience for kids.

There is still some availability at Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona this summer – ITC Classics (01244 355 527; www.itcclassics.co.uk) offer 7 nights at Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona in a Standard Room with breakfast from £1,585 per person. Price includes economy flights with British Airways from London Gatwick and private transfers. Price based on an August 2009 departure.

www.kempinski-spain.com  0080 04 26 31 355

Long known for its wintertime activities featuring the ski slopes and trails of the Alps, Slovenia has become home to a complete range of outdoor sports.
Hikers enjoy a well-developed system of trails from seaside cliffs and coastal towns to high Alpine meadows and mountaintops.

Climbing and rappelling is actively supported with guided excursions. Mountain bikes are readily available for visitors, as are favorite spots for hang gliding and paragliding from peak to valley and far beyond.

There are perfect chutes and flumes for kayaks, rafts and even the famous Soca River Trout. The Soca River Valley invites water enthusiasts, hikers, rock climbers, and cyclists to follow its path and marvel at the beauty the waters have created over time.

To learn more or to request a catalog, visit www.slovenia.info

With an impeccable nationwide network of routes, the recently launched Switzerland Mobility enables you to explore the beauty of the country with various routes and ways to get around.

Create your own adventure that suits you best and is affordable. Switzerland Mobility is a unique national network linking cycling, mountain biking, hiking, inline skating and canoeing routes with the country’s public transport system.

The routes are suitable for every taste and level of ability.

For some other thrilling activities, take the James Bond jump off the 722 feet-high Verzasca Dam above Lake Vogorno or walk along a steep rock face secured by a rope on the via ferrata, leading down from Mürren, a car-free resort, to Gimmelwald.

For more information on adventure and sports in Switzerland, visit www.myswitzerland.com