Jetsettersblog

Teams From Around the World Travel To Los Cabos For Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament & Bisbee’s International Black & Blue Tournament

Baja California Sur, Mexico – Fondly referred to as “The Aquarium of the World” by Jacques Cousteau, the azure waters of Baja California Sur are home to one of the most unique and bountiful ecosystems in the world.

Los Cabos, located at the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula, ranks as one of the top five destinations in the world for fishing due to its optimum location, weather and opportunity for sport fishing success. Every October, fisherman from around the globe travel to this sport fishing haven to compete in tournaments taking place in the celebrated waters of the Sea of Cortes.

The 8th Annual Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament is set to take place from October 16 – October 18, 2009. With anglers vying for tuna, dorado and marlin, this tournament guarantees friendly competition, cash prizes and the chance to top the previous year’s record.

With two full fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, teams have ample opportunities to compete for cash prizes, which are awarded to the top three teams based on the heaviest single black or blue marlin.

In 2008, the top teams won combined cash prizes of over $200,000. Additional events such as a welcome cocktail party and awards presentation allow the festivities to continue away from the water.

Following the Offshore Tournament is the Bisbee’s International Black & Blue Tournament, also taking place in the “Marlin Capital of the World,” Los Cabos, from October 20 – October 24, 2009.

Deemed the “Superbowl of Fishing” by Sports Illustrated, this tournament is the world’s top-fishing and richest offshore tournament with over $4 million in prizes. World-class teams from throughout the United States and over 15 countries worldwide, travel to beautiful “Land’s End” to compete in three days of fishing. Participants are also invited to partake in additional activities and parties throughout the duration of the tournament.

For more information or to sign-up for Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Tournament or International Black & Blue Tournament please visit www.bisbees.com

Winners of both tournaments are eligible to compete in the 2009 IGFA Offshore Tournament, which is taking place in Los Cabos from November 8 – November 13, 2009.

For more information please visit, www.igfaoffshorechampionship.com

To make reservations at Cabo Villas Beach Resort, the host hotel for both tournaments, please visit www.cabovillasbeachresort.com  or call 1-866-962-2268.

Eco-tourists, families, honeymooners, mature travelers, artists and others delight in their discovery of Baja California Sur. Comprising three international airports Baja California Sur is both accessible and exotic. Non-stop flights or convenient connections to Los Cabos are available from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento, California; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, New York/ Newark, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Seasonal service is available from Calgary, Cincinnati, Detroit, Edmonton, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Oakland, Portland, St. Louis and Vancouver. Non-stop flights to La Paz and Loreto are available from Los Angeles.

For more information Baja California Sur call (877) MY-BAJA SUR or visit www.mybajasur.com

The San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort in Venice appointed with the Leaders Club Silver Award

VENICE, ITALY – Proudly awarded by The Leading Hotels of the World during its Annual Convention in 2008, the San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort has been appointed with the Leaders Club Silver Award after a selection among all 450 Leading properties worldwide.

The principal criteria in determining the winners were responses to post-stay questionnaires and letters received by the Leaders Club Services Department from Club members themselves.

The winners of the Tenth Annual Leaders Club Awards were revealed at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston where General Managers from the Hotels were invited to enjoy the gala dinner of the Annual Convention.

Last but not least, Travel+Leisure – the famous magazine dedicated to the most discerning travellers – has appointed again the San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort also for 2009 in its “500 World’s Best Hotels List”.

About San Clemente Palace Hotel

An exclusive 5 star luxury hotel with a unique location in Venice, San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort is the ideal destination for weekends and holidays for both couples and families, for celebrating weddings and private occasions, and holding meetings and international events.

Choice Hotels Scandinavia has signed an agreement for the acquisition of Copperhill Mountain Lodge in Are, Sweden. The 20,000 square metre facility includes a hotel, staff quarters and associated cabins, and the acquisition price has been set at SEK 200 million. The hotel was completed in December 2008, following SEK 800 million in investments.

Petter Stordalen, owner and chairman of the board at Choice Hotels Scandinavia said: “This is the first time that I have bought copper for the price of granite. But I am sure that this will turn into a gold mine for Choice.” The hotel complex is to be purchased by Home Properties, the property company owned by Petter Stordalen. Choice Hotels will be responsible for its operation.

The five-star Copperhill Mountain Lodge was opened in December 2008 as one of six Swedish Design Hotels. The hotel comprises 112 suites and rooms with a total of 580 beds, in addition to conference facilities capable of hosting up to 600 people. Copperhill Mountain Lodge also offers a gourmet restaurant, champagne bar, apres ski bar and lounge bar, as well as a spa department inspired by Sami traditions.

A private ski lift system – the Copperhill Express – links the hotel to the Are skiing resort, which includes 46 lifts and 102 pistes.

Torgeir Silseth, managing director of Choice Hotels Scandinavia said: “We believe strongly in the opportunities that the facility offers, and in Are as a destination.

“We hope that the snow comes early to Are this year so that we can get started as soon as possible.”

In June this year, Choice purchased the Nordic Light Hotel and Nordic Sea Hotel in Stockholm. Comprising a total of 542 new rooms, these two acquisitions have made Choice the largest player in the city. Subsequently, on Thursday 27 August, Petter Stordalen and Torgeir Silseth signed the final contract for the construction of Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport, an airport hotel offering 400 rooms spread across eight storeys.

The airport hotel is scheduled to open in 2012 along with Sky City and the terminals, providing direct access to regional and international air traffic. In total, Choice is working on projects for 11 hotels with 3,031 rooms in the period up to 2014.

About Choice Hotels Scandinavia

Choice Hotels offers accommodation at hotels in cities throughout Scandinavia. You can find Choice Hotels in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Copenhagen, among other cities. Choice hotels also offer several conference hotels for large and small conferences and events.

Choice Hotels Scandinavia is the largest hotel chain in Scandinavia, employing 9200 staff and operating more than 170 hotels. The group markets the Comfort, Quality Hotels, Quality Resort, Clarion Collection and Clarion Hotels brands on the Nordic and Baltic markets.

The gallery is currently showing a collection of work completed by French artist Suzanne Valadon and her son Maurice Utrillo.

Those staying in hotels in Paris have until September 15th to attend an exciting art exhibition at the Pinacotheque de Paris.

The gallery is currently showing a collection of work completed by French artist Suzanne Valadon and her son Maurice Utrillo.

Two of the country’s most renowned painters, the pair lived in the district of Montmarte during the 19th century and were members of the Ecole de Paris – a group of artists that formed during the impressionist movement.

Bringing together more than 100 works by the duo, the exhibition is a must for those keen to learn more about this era in Paris.

According to the gallery, the collection “seeks to recreate the atmosphere of this pivotal period while at the same time introducing the public to the modern vision that Maurice Utrillo brings to the city of Paris and its districts”.

Entry to the exhibition costs nine euros (GBP7.90), while entry for under-12s is free of charge.
The area of Montmarte, where the pair lived, is one of the most famous parts of the city.

As well as the Moulin Rouge, the district is home to a number of other notable attractions, including the Musee de Montmartre at 12 rue Cortot, which occupies a former residential building that was once home to artists including Renoir and Dufy.

Preferential travel insurance has put together a list of essential top tips for when you are embarking on your gap year travels…

Before you go – remember to let your travel insurer know if you have a significant change in your health, or if you develop a new medical condition.

In the event of loss, burglary or theft of money, personal baggage or documents when you are abroad, remember that all original receipts and police reports must be obtained within 24 hours.

All travel insurance policies include some activities (or hazardous pursuits) as standard. Check this list and make sure the activities you want to do on your trip are covered.

If you go against any suggestions or recommendations made by any government or other official authority during your period of cover, you will not be covered by your travel insurance.

Be vigilant and take care of your property – particularly when you are drawing out money or taking photos with an expensive camera. Treat your passport like gold dust. If you are camping or in a youth hostel, don’t leave anything behind.

When you are back in the UK, have the following information to hand if you need to contact your travel insurer’s claims handler: where you bought the policy shop/phone/web; policy number; country and resort visited; value of the claim; brief circumstances; travel dates and incident dates.

Steve Nickerson, managing director of Preferential Direct comments, “Travel insurance is vital for gap year travellers, but once they do get cover, then we recommend that they follow our simple tips so they have the best and safest time on their travels, and if they have to make a claim, it goes as smoothly as possible.”

Preferential’s Worldtrekker standard travel insurance is priced from £27.85 per person for 45 days worldwide cover and includes up to 48 adventure activities at no extra cost, including Scuba Diving to 15 metres, Snorkelling and River Canoe-ing.

For award-winning travel insurance from the experts buy online at www.preferential.co.uk/worldtrekker

WORLDHOTELS is delighted to announce further expansion in India by welcoming the luxurious Asiana Hotel in Chennai to its leading global sales, marketing and distribution network.

Asiana Hotel is strategically and conveniently located at Semmencherry, right on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), which is popularly referred to as the IT Corridor of Chennai. The hotel is 28 kilometers drive from the airport, 32 kilometers from the Central Railway Station and just 4 kilometers before the SIPCOT IT Park.

The contemporary 5 star hotel features 114 spacious guest rooms and suites. Beds are either king size or double with posturepedic mattresses and extra large & downy pillows.

All rooms are equipped with LCD television, IP phones, minibar, safe & iron & ironing board elegantly designed with the intention of pampering business and leisure travelers. Wooden floors lend incomparable warmth to each of the rooms. All rooms have complimentary secured Wi-Fi and broadband internet access.

“We are delighted to welcome the Asiana Hotel to our ever expanding India portfolio. With seven existing hotel affiliates in India, we are happy to further expand another affiliate in the 350 years old city of Chennai that is emerging as a prosperous economy and cultural tourism destination in the fast-developing India market” said Roland Jegge WORLDHOTELS Vice-President for Asia Pacific.

“Asiana is very happy to be associated with the WORDLHOTELS. With this affiliation, we hope to grow together and emerge as the world’s leading luxury brand”, said Mr. Shri Sriharan Managing Director Asiana Hotel.

Chic and cosmopolitan, the Asiana provides its international guests with a diverse range of food and beverage options. Caramel the all day dining restaurant is available 24 hours; experience authentic Thai and South Indian cuisines at Silk; a scrumptious international grill restaurant Wild Fire; contemporary lounge bar, i-Lounge, to wind up the evening; the pastry shop Bytes provides a range of pastries and Indian sweets for all occasions.

Unique to Chennai, Asiana is the only hotel to offer 25,000 sq. ft of meeting room and banquet hall facilities, which can accommodate up to 2,500 guests. The space enables flexible event set up including theatre style, classrooms or round table for large events.

Designed in synergy with the rest of the hotel, Prana Spa in Asiana Hotel offers traditional Thai therapies as well as western treatments.

The Spa has 6 treatment rooms (1 Couple & 5 Singles), meditation room, 5 Thai massage pavilion, relaxation lounge and state of the art fitness centre which overlooks the 1,800 sq.ft outdoor terrace pool.

Other upscale facilities provided at Asiana include a hair and beauty salon, four hotel shops, and a full service business center.

For further information on the Asiana Hotel visit www.worldhotels.com

Online travel agent ZUJI Australia www.zuji.com.au has been awarded a prestigious 5 star rating for its Medical Travel Insurance product by CANSTAR CANNEX, Australia’s leading financial research and ratings agency. ZUJI’s Medical Travel Insurance won for offering significantly cheaper premiums for comparable coverage than is available on many other online travel sites, and for its unlimited overseas medical cover.

Travel insurance is an important part of travel. Illness or accidents can turn travellers’ well-deserved holidays into horror stories. As consumers are not covered by domestic medical insurance when travelling overseas, a reputable travel insurance product that protects them or can pay for them to be evacuated home in such situations is ever-increasingly important. To encourage travel insurance, and make buying travel insurance convenient, ZUJI Australia provides two booking options online.

Travel and medical insurance can be booked as part of the online ‘check-out’ path when booking a flight on zuji.com.au, or it can be purchased separately online as a stand-alone purchase, which is not dependent on people having booked their trip on ZUJI Australia.

The CANSTAR CANNEX report compared 44 travel insurance brands and 13 medical insurance products in its inaugural report to declare ZUJI the winner for that category alongside Worldcare Travel Insurance in its September 2009 star ratings.

For medical-only travel insurance, which covers travelers for illness, accidents and medical evacuation, price was balanced with a more limited number of features compared to comprehensive insurance products.

For example, hospital cover is excluded on domestic insurance and personal items are excluded on medical-only insurance.

Peter Smith, General Manager ZUJI Australia who accepted the award this week from CANSTAR CANNEX’s Stevan Sipka, says “We are thrilled to have our medical insurance product recognized as excellent value to consumers in such a significant and objective industry comparison.

At ZUJI Australia we are dedicated to helping holidays happen. Making great travel insurance available at low premiums is one way we do this. Another is our recent step to remove all online bookings fees on our web site, thereby making travel more affordable than ever before in these tough economic times.”

CANSTAR CANNEX’s Steve Mickenbecker, speaking on Channel 7’s Sunrise program last Friday, advised consumers “…health is just so important when you’re overseas… the good thing is the basic form of insurance can be health only. If you’re a backpacker – if you’re travelling overseas for 6 months, you don’t really have solid plans, you don’t have expensive baggage …you can just take medical cover, and that’s the important one; don’t leave home without your medical cover being right….and your medical cover here will not cover you overseas.”

And as for the winner of Best Medical Insurance? Steve continued, “ZUJI has done extremely well…very strong cover.”

ZUJI Australia’s award-winning medical insurance is provided in partnership with Mondial Assistance, Australia’s leading specialist insurance and assistance company, and can be purchased online at the banner above.

Lost your passport? Had all cash and credit card stolen? Missed your connection flight? Concerned about Swine Flu? – Multitrip.com will cover it all.

For peace of mind, make sure your big dream is protected. Individuals under 46 years travelling abroad for up to 365 days benefit from Multitrip’s Backpacker policy which covers

 Up to 50 free hazardous activities including bungee jumping, white water rafting up to grade 3, jet skiing, scuba diving, windsurfing, surfing, trekking up to 2,000 metres, motorcycling up to 50cc and many more.
 Exam failure cover for students who purchase cover before they sit their university exam.
 Swine Flu is included as is Scheduled Airline failure and 3rd party insolvency cover.

Competitive Rates start from just £116 for a 12 month trip to Australia/NZ making it one of the most competitive Backpacker/Long stay policies in the UK.

This comprehensive policy offers cover up to £2,000,000 cover for medical expenses, Up to £1,000 for Baggage/Personal Effects, up to £500 for money and up to £10,000 for overseas legal expenses.

Details on the Backpacker Travel Insurance Policy are available at www.multitrip.com/backpacker-insurance.asp

Alternatively contact 0844 8716181.

Announcing The Launch Of The Mediterranean’s Newest Luxury Resort Borgo Egnazia Hotel – Villas – Golf – Spa

Borgo Egnazia, the Mediterranean’s newest luxury resort will open this Autumn, with a soft opening in October followed by an official launch in Spring 2010. Created by the owners of Masseria San Domenico, Borgo Egnazia is positioned to become one of the leading luxury family, spa and golf resorts in the Mediterranean, featuring a luxury hotel, a traditional Apulian village and 28 private villas across 20 hectares on the coast of Southern Italy.

The Hotel

The main hotel will feature 63 guest rooms and suites; a variety of restaurants and bars; two outdoor and one indoor swimming pool; a grand ballroom and several meeting rooms; plus a 2,000 m² Raison d’Etre spa, designed to be one of the best in Europe, featuring a modern-day interpretation of a Roman bath house.

The Villas

The 28 villas represent the most exclusive accommodation at the Resort; each with three bedrooms, a private garden and a swimming pool, wrap-around balconies and roof terraces.

The Village

The most spectacular part of the Resort will be the Village inspired by the nearby hillside towns. A total of 72 Apulian townhouses surround the central piazza, hosting 91 beautiful one and two-bedroom suites along with private Arab gardens, balconies and roof terraces overlooking the sea.

The Village will include an array of bars and restaurants as well as a swimming pool, children’s facilities and a cooking school.

In addition to the 18-hole championship San Domenico Golf course, the Resort features tennis courts, a private beach club with an additional bar/restaurant and an array of water sports.

Special activities can be arranged (maximum 10 minutes drive from the resort) including sailing, wind and kite surfing, horse riding, soccer and kart-racing.

Borgo Egnazia cradles the ancient city of Egnazia, nestled between the foothills of the Appenines and the azure Adriatic. This is a landscape drenched in ancient olive groves, rosemary, bougainvillea and jasmine, where the green fairways of one of the finest golf courses in Southern Italy provide a horizon down to the traditional fishing village of Savelletri.

The views from the Resort have a rich history dating back before Christ. The ancient Roman city of Egnazia is open for all to see …‘Carpe Diem’ could not be more apt here, famously penned by Horace who is believed to have passed by using the still-preserved tracks of Via Traiana. Guests can follow in his footsteps as this ancient road to Rome runs through the Resort and is clearly visible at the front gates.

Being located in central Puglia, the Resort is an ideal base to explore the entire region, from Lecce’s unique baroque architecture to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Alberobello. Festivals and food markets throughout the year offer visitors a glimpse into the past, present and future of Southern Italy, where locals demonstrate their proud Medieval heritage, their distinct cuisine and unique identity in all its vibrant colour.

Borgo means ‘village’ in Italian and keeping a promise to its namesake, Borgo Egnazia’s foundations are based on being a traditional Apulian village. The Resort has been 10 years in the making, created from the ground up using traditional craftsmanship, with a sympathetic lean towards the regional history and architecture. Every detail during the building has been meticulously researched; designers carefully selected, building materials locally sourced – from the stone and the marble, to the plants and wood.

The parallels between ancient and modern; as well as traditional expertise and innovative technology, can be observed in this testament to Apulian architecture. Developed by a team of local designers and led by creative artist Pino Brescia, the light and spacious rooms and suites at Borgo Egnazia range in size from a comfortable 33 m², to an expansive 133 m².

The new General Manager of Borgo Egnazia, Guido Piccinni, comes with over 15 years of hospitality management experience in Europe and the USA. A true local, Guido was born and raised in nearby Cisternino: “My lifelong dream to manage a dynamic, world-class hotel near my wonderful hometown is now reality. As General Manager of Borgo Egnazia, my vision is to make it one of the most admired hotels in the world.”

Prepare Yourself for the Green Challenge Adventure Course!

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s all-new, exhilarating treetops ropes course – the Green Challenge – is bigger and even more exciting than ever before.

The Green Challenge, presented in association with Adventure Parc, is the newest nature-based adventure experience for the Gold Coast.

Sixty-five challenges, over four separate courses, weave their way through the eucalypt and rainforest canopy, taking visitors higher and further into the spectacular natural setting.

The Green Challenge is based on the Adventure Parc concept, which takes elements of SAS commando training delivered as safe, fun and exciting treetops ropes courses for children and adults.

The new Currumbin courses are like no other – surrounded by native wildlife, combined with world-class wildlife displays and shows located just a short walk from one of Australia’s best beaches.

The four courses include a beginners’ course, two intermediate courses and the Extreme Green Challenge – an advanced course designed to offer the ultimate challenge for participants.

With high Tarzan swings and a giant flying fox, the Extreme Green Challenge will test the agility and daring of anyone who takes on the course.

Each of the Green Challenge courses has been designed for children and adults alike for family fun, fitness and team building (children must reach 160cm from heels to outstretched fingers to enter the Green Challenge and 180 cm for the advanced, Extreme Green Challenge).

All necessary equipment and a safety briefing are provided for each participant, ensuring a safe, fun and exhilarating experience.

To enjoy the new Green Challenge attraction, visitors can purchase A 2 Park Adventure Pass – a two-day, two attraction course for entry to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary plus the Green Challenge with a bonus day.