Jetsettersblog

Good Night and God Bless is a unique guide to budget accommodation in the working convents and monasteries of Europe – places that are run by various Christian religious denominations for men, women, individuals and families of all faiths and none.

Have you ever slept in a bishop’s bedchamber? Or napped in a nun’s cell?

Trish Clark’s unique travel guide, GOOD NIGHT & GOD BLESS, A Guide to Convent & Monastery Accommodation In Europe, Volume 1: Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, puts the holy into holiday and is sure to delight devout tourists, mainstream travelers, history buffs, and adventure seekers looking for something unusual in the way of accommodation.

Clark’s user-friendly guide dishes up the details on affordable accommodation, local tourist information, and places of pilgrimage. Bathed in the golden light of history and religion, the author’s enticing travel tidbits and anecdotes will appeal to real life and armchair travelers alike.

Throughout the ages, religious orders traditionally offered hospitality as part of their ministry and a bed and a bite to eat was provided for the cost of a donation. Today, this tradition continues to offer a mutually beneficial blessing: a practical means of revenue for convents and monasteries and cheap, safe, clean – and often well located – lodging for modern pilgrims and budget travelers.

Australian Trish Clark, former owner of a highly successful travel marketing business, has traveled throughout Europe, Asia and the USA. Volume II of Good Night & God Bless, which covers the convents and monasteries of France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, will be out January 31, 2010. Visit www.goodnightandgodbless.com

Good Night & God Bless, A Guide to Convent & Monastery Accommodation In Europe,

Volume 1: Austria, Czech Republic, Italy by Trish Clark; Hidden Spring, a division of Paulist Press, ISBN 978-1587680533, $20.00, paperback, 2009; Category: Travel Guide;

Corporate Jets, LLC is the most recent and ambitious chapter in the dynamic and successful career of pilot and aviation professional, Richard Hodkinson.

LOS ANGELES, CA, – As a highly experienced professional pilot, Hodkinson’s acute leadership qualities have been honed by having logged over 14,000 hours in the cockpit as well as many years in the boardroom. His venerable background serves to provide Corporate Jets, LLC with unprecedented vision, skill and guidance.

Throughout his aviation and business career, he has effectively weathered both smooth air and unexpected turbulence. Hodkinson was the founder of Elite Aviation in 1994, he served as CEO and COO until selling the company in 2004 after which he served another two years as COO. Elite Aviation is Headquartered at the Van Nuys, Airport in Van Nuys California.

In 2008 Hodkinson returned to aviation and has been on an aggressive aviation business development and acquisition campaign. He purchased Corporate Jets, LLC from Landmark Aviation and has now aligned himself with an impressive upper and mid-level management team, many of whom he has worked closely with in the past.

Since March of this year, with Hodkinson at the helm, Corporate Jets LLC has rapidly become a primary charter consideration for numerous Fortune 500 Companies.

With a fleet that includes the technologically advanced Gulfstream IV and V aircraft, Corporate Jets is in a position to offer a broad scope of aviation management and charter capabilities to its customers. Hodkinson takes pride in his ability to offer “The Best” in Charter Service. With the Gulfstream V as the flagship of his fleet, the core characteristics set forth at Corporate Jets, LLC are safety, luxury, comfort, range, speed and service.

Let there be no mistake, with Richard Hodkinson and Corporate Jets is quickly ascending and has no plans for leveling off. For more information on Corporate Jets,

Please visit
http://www.flycj.com  or http://www.c2cmediatv.com

Authentic Cultural Adventure

Adventure travelers, take note. BikeHike Adventures is offering a rare opportunity to transcend the invisible boundary that exists between tourist and local and completely immerse in a native culture that is so unlike our own. Join BikeHike’s “Journey with the Nomads” expedition and spend nine unforgettable days in Morocco amongst the semi-nomadic Berber tribe of the Ait Atta as they make their remote, migratory trek from the breathtaking High Atlas mountains to their homeland in the lower-altitude Jebel Sagrho range.

Led by BikeHike Operations Director Meghan Burton, this is a very special trip that will engross you in primordial nomadic ways and may leave you contemplating your own life and what is truly important.

Experience the slow pace of nomadic life first-hand. Wake to the deep roll of the Berber drums, step outside your camel hair tent to ancient volcanic landscapes and the fresh mountain air.

Spend each day hiking about 9 miles on easy grades at an easy pace, making this a suitable trip for a variety of participants. Take in the panoramic views of distant mountains and lush valleys.

Without a soul in sight, you’ll savor the many opportunities for reflection. Engage in the tribe’s evening activities with their animal herd. Enjoy the warm campfire, fresh and simple food, and the abundant hospitality of your host tribal family.

“We were excited about doing something a bit different but had no idea that “Journey with the Nomads” would be quite so spectacular or such good fun. The people, the landscape, the food, the organization, the kasbahs. . . it was all brilliant. It’s definitely one of the most memorable trips we’ve done and certainly the first one where we’ve actually wanted to bore people with a slide show on our return. It was one of those experiences that makes you take stock and want to make changes to your life”, reflected a past participant of the trip.

BikeHike Operations Director Meghan Burton accompanies the Sept 26 – Oct 4, 2009 journey as tour leader.

Company regulars know Meghan is a huge part of BikeHike’s success because she is the one who takes care of everyone from the moment that they book until the moment they come home from their travels. She is a key reason that all BikeHike trips run so seamlessly.

The cost of this 9-day Moroccan experience starts at $1,999. Bookings include twin-shared accommodations, three meals a day, internal transportation, camping gear, and veteran guides. Gratuities and taxes not included.

Visit www.bikehike.com  call 1-888-805-0061, or e-mail info@bikehike.com  for more information.

About Bike Hike

Recognized by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of “The Best Adventure Travel Companies” and among “The Best Outfitters in the World”, BikeHike (www.bikehike.com) specializes in small group Multi-sport Adventures in South and Central America, Canada, Europe, Oceania, Asia and Africa. BikeHike is committed to sustainable tourism practices that benefit the local communities and environment in the destinations they serve, and actively supports projects around the world to help raise cultural and social awareness.

Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, located in Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, will open its newest villa complex,

The Level, which will include 39 villas in a variety of one-, two- and three-story level designs and will feature five, six or seven bedrooms along with full living and dining areas and private swimming pool.

Designed by veteran hospitality architect Hans Roth of Austria, Phase I of the new villas is scheduled for completion in late 2010.

Surrounded by mountains, the villa property is located around a lake and situated among palm trees and mangroves.

The Level is connected to the rest of the LHVC Resort and provided golf carts allow guests access to all resort facilities and amenities.

The Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Resort encompasses four distinct products: The Tropical, The Crown Suites, The Crown Villas and The Residence Suites. From hotel accommodations to stand-alone villas, all guests have access to five swimming pools, nightly entertainment, spa, beach, tennis and more.

Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club VIP Members have access to a “members only” restaurant, bar, swimming pool, exclusive beach areas, as well as golf carts, limousine transfers and helicopter tours.

For more information, call 809-970-7777 or visit www.lifestyleholidaysvc.com

Pullman Hotels announced the addition of five more hotels (in addition to the five announced in mid-August) to its growing network in Asia. The five hotels are located in the key growth markets of India and China.

These hotels take the development commitments for the Pullman brand in Asia to 22 hotels, in addition to the 12 operating Pullman hotels in the region.

Pullman Gurgaon Central Park will be a new-built, 284-room hotel located in Gurgaon, the corporate satellite city of New Delhi.

The hotel will feature extensive food and beverage outlets including two specialty restaurants, bar and deli, along with 2000 square meters of event space.

The hotel will offer the Pullman signature connectivity lounge combining state of the art technology and personal IT services, keeping guests connected and efficient.

The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2010 and is 30 minutes from Delhi International Airport.

Pullman Lavasa will open in mid-2011, featuring 258 guest rooms and perched atop India’s first hill town. Lavasa is located one hour from the new Pune International Airport.

The hotel will offer two restaurants, patisserie and a 500 square meter ballroom and an integrated meeting center for smaller business events.

The hotel will be connected to the Lavasa Lakes Convention Centre. Pullman Delhi International Airport, located within the “Delhi Aerocity” precinct, will be a 270-room hotel.

The hotel’s outlets will include an all-day dining restaurant along with a specialty restaurant, lounge bar and deli. Signature Pullman spaces such as a “Connectivity Lounge” and “Chill Out” space will form part of the meetings and event facilities, which includes a 1,000-squaare-meter ballroom and extensive outdoor entertainment area by the hotel’s swimming pool.

The hotel is scheduled to open in 2012.

Pullman Wuxi T-Park is scheduled to open in 2012, with 350 guest rooms including 64 executive floor rooms.

Situated in the Wuxi New District in Jiangsu Province, the hotel is close to Government Hall and 15 minutes from the airport and the Shanghai-Beijing High-Speed Train Station.

The future metro link station is located below the hotel. Facilities will include three restaurants, lobby lounge, indoor swimming pool, fitness and business center.

There is also a 1,200-square-meter pillar-less ballroom and nine meeting rooms at the hotel. Pullman Tianjin Kunlun is a new 300-room (including 38 apartments) hotel located in the heart of Tianjin commercial area, 30 minutes drive from the airport.

The hotel will offer three restaurants and comprehensive business and leisure facilities and is scheduled to open in mid-2013.

Five Pullman hotels were announced in mid-August 2009: Pullman Shanghai Pudong Zhangjiang and Pullman Shanghai South in China; Pullman Pattaya Aisawan and Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithorn, both in Thailand; and Pullman Hanoi Horison in Vietnam.

For more information, visit www.pullmanhotels.com

LOMALAGI ISLAND RESORT ANNOUNCES VISITORS CAN NOW SCUBA DIVE IN ADJACENT NATEWA BAY

Lomalagi Resort near Savusavu has announced that visitors can now scuba dive in nearby Natewa Bay, the largest deep-water bay in the South Pacific.

Since the 600 square mile bay is over 1,000 meters deep in the center, the reefs and soft corals have been protected from deterioration.

The bay is also less susceptible to rough weather than the open ocean because it is surrounded by rainforest covered mountains and is oriented in the Northeast. Natewa Bay is home to the only resident pods of dolphins in Fiji.

In cooperation with Savusavu independent dive operator, Rockin’ Down Under, a full range of PADI certified courses are now available, from “discover scuba” for beginners, to dive master.

Information: www.lomalagi.com

AIR PASS FOR INTER-ISLAND AIR TRAVEL

Air Pacific recently introduced a new air pass called the ‘Pacific Bula Pass’ for inter-island air travel within Fiji.

Passengers can purchase two, four or unlimited flights on Air Pacific for travel between Nadi and Tonga, Apia, Port Vila, Honiara and Tarawa and travel between Suva and Tonga.

The pass must be sold in conjunction with an Air Pacific international ticket within three days after booking international airfare to Fiji and is valid for 30 days of travel.

Continental Airlines  recently announced new service from Honolulu to Nadi, Fiji.

The service will begin December 18, 2009.

The flights will also offer convenient connections from the U.S. mainland, Japan and Continental’s Micronesian network to Nadi.

The flights from Honolulu International Airport (NHL) will operate on Mondays and Fridays departing at 6:55 p.m. and arriving in Nadi at 11:40 p.m. the following day.

Return flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays departing at 8:50 a.m. and arriving in Honolulu at 5:25 p.m. the previous day, after crossing the International Date Line.

The island of St. Maarten is promoting nighttime activities at clubs, casinos and beach bars.

Many of the island’s hotspots host live bands at least once a week. Much of the nightlife can be found within the big resorts, which combine lounges, night clubs and restaurants.

Many of the hotels offer beachside barbecues with steel pan players and local musicians that are available for both hotel and non-hotel guests. On Friday nights, the boardwalk on Front Street in Philipsburg is a center of activity, and on weekends the Maho village area features fire-eaters, acrobats and belly dancers.

Tantra (www.tantrasxm.com)  is the newest addition to the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino complex and the largest nightclub in the Eastern Caribbean.

The Asian-inspired atmosphere provides a backdrop for live DJ’s and international musical performances.

A popular nightspot in Maho Bay is Bliss, located inside The Caravanserai Beach Resort.

Bliss is one of the most popular nightspots in St. Maarten and reflects a Miami-style disco with a large pool area and cabanas.

Every afternoon features a different theme or promotion, while live DJs play the latest hits on the weekends.

Bamboo Bernies Buddha Lounge (www.bamboobernies.net ) recently moved to the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino complex and serves food and drinks into the early hours of the morning.

The Lady C (www.ladycfloatingbar.com ), docked at Simpson Bay, is an old vessel from 1938 that has been refurbished and turned into a floating bar. It’s the only bar of its type to be found in St. Maarten and features weekly theme parties.

Sopranos Bar (www.sopranospianobar.com ) , located on the first floor of the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, is a piano bar that features nightly live performances by renowned pianists and local jazz artists. The piano bar is inspired by the hit TV show and offers a selection of wines, champagnes, cocktails, cognac and Cuban cigars.

The Axum Art Café (www.axumartcafe.com ) on Front Street in the heart of Philipsburg doubles as a laid back café during the day and an art gallery displaying various paintings and sculptures including the works of owner Ras Mosera.

During evening hours, Axum features live jazz and reggae music, poetry readings and entertainment for the artistically inclined.

Gambling is only legal on the Dutch side of the island and travelers can choose from over 14 casinos, all of which offer live entertainment, slot machines and gaming tables.

The Princess Casino (www.princessportdeplaisance.com/casino.htm ) at Port de Plaisance in Cole Bay features more than 12,000 square feet of gaming tables, slots, private “high-roller” rooms, a gourmet restaurant with live entertainment and nightly music for dancing.

The Jump Up Casino (www.jumpupcasino.com ) , located in Philipsburg, offers the widest variety of slots and live entertainment, all themed after the St. Maarten Carnival.

Hollywood Casino (www.casinosxm.com ) in Simpson Bay has a variety of table games, popular slots and a sports desk amidst an array of Hollywood star images. Casino Royale (www.playmaho.com )  , located by the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino has 14,000 square feet of gaming, featuring 20 tables from roulette, craps, baccarat, blackjack and poker, and more than 400 slot machines.

Located in Cupecoy, Atlantis World Casino (www.atlantisworld.com ) is a destination casino featuring award-winning restaurants and other entertainment alternatives to give visitors the ultimate experience.

Atlantis World Casino offers more than 400 of the latest slot machines, as well as tables for baccarat, poker, three card poker, Caribbean poker, Texas hold’em, roulette, and blackjack. Their latest addition is a new Sports Book with large plasma screens, which plunge sports fanatics into the action.

The Golden Casino (www.sonesta.com/GreatBay ) in the Sonesta Great Bay is open every night until the early morning.

For general destination information, visit the official site of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau at www.VacationStMaarten.com

Amangani, an Amanresort in Jackson Hole, Wyo., has launched the Amangani Ski Club.

The only requirement for membership is a stay of four nights or more at the resort. Membership perks include access to the Amangani Ski Lounge, two adult ski passes for three days of skiing, daily continental breakfast and complimentary airport transfers.

As a special benefit this season, members receive a complimentary night at Aman’s newest U.S. resort, Amangiri, located near Lake Powell in Utah’s canyon country, which opens Oct. 15.

For more information, call 800-477-9180 or visit www.amanresorts.com