Jetsettersblog

Active New Zealand
CONTACT: Mark Samways
TEL: 800-661-9073 (US & Canada)
E-MAIL: mark@nzactive.com
WEB: www.activenewzealand.com

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand–Deserted beaches, spectacular alpine passes and cozy mountain huts, New Zealand’s backcountry holds a lifetime’s worth of off-the-beaten-track adventure… if you know where to look.

Over the last 14 years the guides at Active New Zealand have explored just about every nook and cranny of the Kiwi backcountry. Here are some of their suggestions of where to begin your search for the ultimate off-the-beaten-track experience.

Siberia Valley

If you’re looking to get into the wilderness but don’t have too much time to spare, then a trip into the Siberia Valley is a great way to go.

Thanks to a grass airstrip installed by deer cullers back in the sixties, this amazing spot can be accessed by light aircraft, getting you into the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park in swift and thrilling style.

Hump Ridge Track

This track on the south coast of the South Island started life as an idea at a 1988 Tuatapere Promotions Committee meeting, aimed to bring visitors to this forgotten corner of the South Island (apparently the little town’s existing hook; “New Zealand’s sausage capital” just wasn’t working).

Ten years later the Hump Ridge Track was a reality – and what a stroke of genius it’s proven to be.

Angelus Circuit

Tucked away in the Nelson Lakes National Park, this trail is a brilliant introduction to tramping in New Zealand, with enough facilities to be user-friendly without losing the million-miles-from-anywhere feeling that makes the region so special.

Over three days you’ll experience tolkienesque beech forests along the shores of Lake Rotoiti, pristine mountain streams, alpine meadows and the stunning alpine amphitheatre of Lake Angelus, a spectacular location for one of the route’s huts… and a ‘refreshing’ spot for swim if you’re feeling bold.

Cascade Saddle Route

Be warned, this trip is not for those faint hearted. However, if you’re well prepared and reasonably fit then the Cascade Saddle is a must.

The view from here is truly jaw-dropping; with Aspiring Hut barely visible below, Mt Tyndall and Plunket Dome rise from either side of the saddle, beckoning you to try for their summits, while in the distance the shattered ice of the Dart Glacier creeps towards the valley floor.

Marlborough Sounds Kayaking

There’s nothing like taking to the water for the ultimate sense of freedom – and the Marlborough Sounds the place to do it. In the sounds, you’ll see bush-clad hills running into emerald green water seabirds chasing schools of kahawai and fur seals, once nearly hunted to extinction, now living the good life – occasionally scoffing seafood, but mainly just lazing in the sun.

About ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND:

ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND has operated small group, guided adventure trips including hiking, biking and kayaking around the North and South Islands of New Zealand since 1996.

Our New Zealand trips offer the perfect blend of outdoor activities, friendly local guides, home cooking and legendary service in some of the most awe-inspiring Kiwi destinations.

Visit www.ActiveNewZealand.com  for the full story.

Summit Hotels & Resorts, a brand of Preferred Hotel Group, is pleased to announce its newest member – La Flora Resort & Spa, Khao Lak. The collection includes more than 150 internationally acclaimed hotels and resorts that celebrate local luxury.

Located in the peaceful resort destination of Khao Lak, north of Phuket, the elegant La Flora Resort & Spa is located right at the beautiful unspoilt beach of Bang Niang. Only an one hour ride from Phuket International Airport, Khao Lak offers adventure travelers and nature enthusiasts an abundance of activities and sights in nearby wilderness and islands.

Activities range from jungle trekking and birdwatching in the national park, diving in one of the world’s most beautiful diving site – Similan Islands, canoeing at the amazing limestone caves and rock formations of Phangnga Bay, white water rafting in the forest and snorkeling in the pristine waters of Surin Islands.

La Flora Resort & Spa offers 138 rooms, suites and villas designed in contemporary Asian style. For those looking for relaxation, there are 2 pools – an infinity pool which looks onto the beach and the other a free form pool with Jacuzzi jets and underwater music. A unique category of room named Pool Access Rooms has a patio with daybeds and direct connection into the pool with its own Jacuzzi area.

The Spa La Flora offers a comprehensive menu of treatments with natural products such as Jurlique and locally sourced oils.

Recreation at the resort also includes a fitness centre, tennis courts and a beach club offering a variety of non-motorised watersports. Wireless internet is available in all rooms and hotel public areas, and a library offers computers for use and books to while away the hours.

“La Flora Resort & Spa is well positioned on the beachfront with superb resort facilities and ideal for travelers seeking adventure or relaxation., ” said Mark Simmons, Area Managing Director, Asia.

“We believed that Summit Hotels & Resorts is a key partner to strengthen our global and regional presence and optimize our productivity from new markets,” said Krit Setthagul, Business Development Director, La Flora Resort & Spa.

About Summit Hotels & Resorts

Summit Hotels & Resorts is a member of the Preferred Hotel Group™ family of brands which also includes: Preferred Boutique™, Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Sterling Hotels  and Historic Hotels of America.

For reservations and a complete description of the Summit Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.summithotels.com

Golfasian, the leading Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia golf tour operator is expanding its reach to offer a wider range of destinations and golf tours for its clients and partners.

“Golfasian is the leading inbound golf tour operator for Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. In order to offer our clients a wider range of bespoke and special golf tours, we have added Malaysia and Bali to our portfolio,” said Golfasian’s Managing Director Mark Siegel.

“With the addition of these golf destinations, we are able arrange a multitude of multi-country golf tours in South-East Asia and beyond and offer our clients a truly unique golf experience in Asia.”

Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Selangor, and Kelantan are just a few of the many new golf destinations offered by Golfasian on its dedicated website www.malaysiagolfholiday.com.

Malaysia Golf Holiday has picked the best golf courses in Malaysia, such as Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Staffield Country Resort, Austin Hills Country Club, and Temple Park Country Club, to name a few.

Due to Indonesia’s vast size, and Bali’s matured degree of professional hospitality services, Golfasian has chosen this popular island as its entrance into this equatorial country and is offering Bali golf holidays on Bali Golf Holiday (www.baligolfholiday.com).

 Pascal Orczech, Business Development Manager at Golfasian pointed out that “Bali is gaining in popularity as a golf destination due to its close proximity to Australia and Asia as well as its excellent selection of golf courses and high-end accommodation available.

The Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club and the Bali Golf & Country Club are a perfect addition to our repertoire and will impress golfers from around the world in combination with the superb hotels and resorts on Bali.”

For the upcoming high-season, Golfasian has introduced a number of unique golf tours, especially designed for the Australian and USA Market, such as the 2010 Phuket Amateur Golf Week Tournament.

Golfasian has partnered with reputable golf agencies in Australia and North America and is promoting the tours and two new destinations Malaysia and Bali at the following trade and road shows:

* October 4-16 – North America Road Show (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Detroit, New York)

* November 16-19 – International Golf Travel Mart (Malaga, Spain)

* December 1-4 – Luxury Travel Mart (Las Vegas)
* January 29-31 – USPGA Merchandise Show (Orlando)

“We are looking to continue to offer the best available golf holiday choices to new and returning clients and believe that our expansion into Malaysia and Bali as well as our reach to partners will proof to be a good choice in order to increase our high standards of golf holiday services in Asia,” concluded Mr. Siegel.

Contact Golfasian

Email: info@golfasian.com  | Tel: +66 (0) 2 714 8470 | Fax: +66 (0) 2 714 8471 | Web: http://www.golfasian.com

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – This town turns into a scene from Dickens during the holidays with family-friendly activities for everyone.

Get your bearings by taking a stroll through historic downtown and gaze at the holiday lights. Get the blood flowing with an afternoon of ice skating in Old Town Square. Santa has even been known to take a break from the workshop to lace up his skates!

Take a breather with a horse drawn carriage ride through the neighborhood surrounding quaint downtown.

There are also plenty of holiday shows to enjoy including numerous holiday concerts from Colorado State University and a performance of “A Christmas Carol.”

Visit the Winter Farmers Market for a fresh cooking and a cup of piping hot cider to keep the winter air at bay as you window shop down College Avenue.

The season wraps up with the annual non-alcoholic First Night Celebration on New Year’s Eve.

First Night is a feast for the eyes with performing acts, storytelling, interactive craft projects, street performers, international dancing and much more

www.visitfortcollins.com

Hike In and Out of California’s Premier Wilderness Retreat Near Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks

SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT, Calif.– The Sequoia High Sierra Camp, a backcountry retreat that offers travelers the ultimate outdoor adventure with amenities, pampered hospitality, and distinctive cuisine.

Hikers have a rare opportunity to experience California’s majestic Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks area. Currently offering special travel deals for this year and next, the camp welcomes guests in 30 comfortable tented cabins complete with amenities and vistas of Kings Canyon.

Set amidst Lodgepole and Red Fir at 8,282 feet, the Camp is located in Giant Sequoia National Monument, on Sequoia National Forest land between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

With something for everyone, Sequoia High Sierra draws both serious hikers as well as less adventurous outdoor enthusiasts.

This outpost offers unique drive-in access as well as a more rigorous hike-in option. Guests can park at a trailhead for a 1-mile trek into the Camp, or hike to the grounds along a challenging 12-mile backcountry trail. Just steps from the Camp’s dining area and tents awaits a world of outdoor adventure.

Day hikes traverse the region’s meadows and mountainsides and seven giant sequoia groves are within a scenic day trip of the grounds.

Anglers can cast a fly-fishing line in nearby lakes and creeks, and wildlife enthusiasts are likely to spot black bears, deer, and assorted songbirds.

From wildflower walks and photography to simply taking an afternoon siesta in the shade, options for rejuvenation also abound.

www.sequoiahighsierracamp.com

Renaissance Adventure Guides offers outdoor adventure travel for the nature lover in everyone.

Taking an adventure trip to an exotic locale, kayaking lessons in amazing outdoor destinations or even exhilarating Avalanche training with Renaissance Adventure Guides is more than just an outdoor adventure. Travel is a journey of self discovery and fun and RAG’s safety conscious, knowledgeable guides take care of the details.

Whether it’s an international adventure vacation, a kayaking lesson on the Colorado River, or avalanche training in the Rocky Mountains, Renaissance Adventure Guides ensure the itinerary is appropriate for each individual’s level of skill and physical fitness.

That way, friends, family, work colleagues, and newly acquired “trail buddies” can concentrate on learning new outdoor adventures skills, absorbing the local culture, and enjoying the adventure vacation of a lifetime.

An international adventure vacation with Renaissance Adventure Guides is more that just a vacation. The highly trained professionals at Renaissance ensure that travelers have trip includes plenty of time for spiritual renewal and break from the monotony of life.

The trips offered are small, integrated with the local land and culture, and vary from the classic, one-of-a-lifetime trips of climbing Kilimanjaro to the multi-day, bonding-with-the-kids rafting trips in Morocco.

These international adventures are active and seek to provide an opportunity for learning, whether it’s honing your whitewater kayaking skills on the lesser known but ever more beautiful rivers of Costa Rica or enriching your knowledge in the ancient civilization of the Incas while trekking near Machu Picchu in Peru.

Their sustainable outdoor adventure vacations leave visitors feeling rested, invigorated and ready to face new challenges with new energy and confidence.

www.raguides.com

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – In this area of Montana, it’s the Missouri River that gets all the attention from anglers.

But the Missouri is far from the only game in town.

Meet the Blackfoot River: the textbook Rocky Mountain trout fishery.

Not too big, not too small, this river is just the right size with just the right mix of Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brown and Bull trout. Anglers come for the trout but stay for scenery: forested mountains, meadows, canyons, boulders and, on the river, the perfect combination of rapids and glides.

Montana River Outfitters offers float trips from half day to multi-day down this lesser-traveled river.

www.montanariveroutfitters.com

Great River Journey, Inc.
CONTACT: Maxine Mattinson
TEL: 867-456-2421 ext. 1
E-MAIL: mmattinson@greatriverjourney.com
WEB: www.greatriverjourney.com

WHITEHORSE, Yukon, Canada—In one short year, Great River Journey has made a name for itself with its epic 8-day tours on the Yukon River.

The unique world-class geotour begins in Whitehorse and unfolds over eight days and 600 kilometers of wilderness, traveling by riverboat and float plane, and allowing guests to participate in activities such as wildlife viewing, bird watching, hiking, kayaking and mountain biking.

But with Great River Journey, it’s not just about the fun and adventure. Two night stays with frequent stops allow guests to visit geological and historic sites related to the First Nations people and the Klondike Gold Rush Stampede. Great River Journey travels through the traditional First Nations’ lands offering guests a authentic glimpse into their lifestyle.

In fact, several First Nation tribes are partners with Great River Journey, represented on the board of directors and acting as guides and hosts for the guests.

This commitment to the preservation of First Nation’s culture and history earned Great River Journey status as a Significant 28 Aboriginal Tour Operators, by Aboriginal Tourism Canada and the Canadian Tourism Commission.

Nominated by industry peers and tourism experts across Canada, the Significant 28 designates those experiences that are “simply extraordinary…they embody our traditions, heritage and culture,” according to Aboriginal Tourism Canada.

“Great River Journey is the most unique and exciting tourism initiative in Northern Canada in a generation,” says George Asquith, President of Great River Journey.

“It represents the shared vision and years of work of four Yukon First Nations and their private sector partners with support from all levels of government and the Yukon community.”

Partners in this venture are the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the Selkirk First Nation. Chief Ruth Massie, of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, says, “We look forward to welcoming Great River Journey guests into our traditional lands and showcasing our history and culture. We know we will have a special relationship with our guests.”

For more information, please visit the Great River Journey website at www.greatriverjourney.com

Expeditions @ 3 Falls Inn at Seeley Lake
CONTACT: Charlee Hanna
PHONE: 888-655-5388
E-MAIL: charlee@confluencerafting.com
WEBSITE: www.confluencerafting.com

SEELEY LAKE, Mt.—Covering more than a million acres, one could spend a lifetime getting to know Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.

Since that’s hardly realistic, choose guides at home in this especially rugged and remote environment. Seeley Lake residents, Charlee and Doug Hanna qualify.

“The Bob,” as it’s known is just steps from the Hanna’s 3 falls Inn. The log cabin lodge on seven wooded acres is a perfect gateway for wilderness adventures.

Guests of the inn receive the comforts of home including tasty meals and legendary deserts prepared by Charlee on her wood stove. Choose from several affordable, all-inclusive, customized packages to include hiking, canoeing, four-wheeling, birding, or a foray into the woods to observe foraging bears.

Even experienced wilderness trekkers may want to consult a guide before venturing into “The “Bob.” Straddling the Continental Divide with summits reaching more than 9,000 feet, there are steep ridges and river bottoms camouflaged by the dense forest.

One highlight of the topography is a 22 mile long escarpment averaging 1,000 feet high, referred to as “The Chinese Wall.” Many outdoorsmen and women find it fertile ground for fishing and hunting. And wildlife observers sight wolverine, mountain sheep, mountain lion, moose, elk, and grizzly and black bears in “The Bob.”

The Hanna’s provide itineraries, maps, all transportation to activities, equipment, and guiding if requested.

Those not interested in exploring the rugged wilds, can take part in less strenuous amusements in the village of Seeley Lake.

There’s a self-guided arts tour featuring 14 different stops at galleries, museums, and artist studios.

For those who want to plan ahead, a map and video of Crown of The Continent” Arts Tour” is available on the Alpine Artists website.

Winemaking is another art practiced in Seeley Lake. The fruits of the labor can be sampled at Trail Creek Winery.

Hand crafted premium wines are made from grapes grown in Washington’s Columbia Valley. Tastings and tours are available too.

A good stop for refreshments is Littlebird’s Schoolhouse.

The owner of the rustic café relies on her Italian heritage and preference for green ingredients to create mouthwatering dishes.

Each Sunday from June-September, Littlebird’s Marketplace sets up outside the café.

Farmers, ranchers, artisans and other creative folks sell their wares to a growing following.

The Bob Marshall Wilderness attracts visitors from all parts of the world. Located between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, Western travelers are starting to include it on their itinerary. This month is the busiest for 3 Falls Inn but there are still some dates open for those seeking rugged outdoor adventure and the pleasures of the enchanting village of Seeley Lake.

BULVERDE,Tx —The majority of Mexico–bound “honeymooners” head to oceanfront hi-rises or crowded seaside resorts.

For couples seeking roads less traveled, there is the magnificent canyon system of the Sierra Madre known as Copper Canyon. Just 300 miles from the U.S. border, the mysteries of North America’s largest canyon system unfold under the expert guidance of Canyon Travel.

www.canyontravel.com

are customized based on interests; hiking, history, archaeology, birding and hiking

Authentic, exclusive and eco-conscious, Canyon Travel is the only operator to establish a partnership with the indigenous people.

This affords newlyweds access to rarely seen spots of breathtaking beauty and un-staged encounters with native peoples.

Many itineraries in fall and spring include a ticket on the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad one of the world’s greatest engineering feats.

Photos of incredible scenery from Canyon Travel’s private and only open-air rail car make a much more intriguing travelogue than a sandy beach!

Couples retreat each evening to the bliss of private eco-lodges, built to take advantage of the canyon’s most breathtaking views. Regional dishes are served on white linens overlooking lush tropical gardens or by candlelight overlooking the canyon rim. .

A Canyon Travel adventure creates honeymoon memories guaranteed to last longer than a tropical tan.