Jetsettersblog

JPT’s exclusive arrangement with Bonadio’s Wildlife Reserve has opened up the magic of the Mabi Rainforest and a newly established glow worm habitat, to self-drive tourists in Tropical North Queensland.

“The self-drive market is significant in Tropical North Queensland with so many backpackers and independent travelers on the road,” said chief executive officer Bob Brett.

“The opening of the Bonadio’s Mabi Wildlife Reserve to the drive market will allow this ever-expanding tourist sector the ability to link with programmed tours and experience the incredible ecological diversity of this unique and endangered habitat,” he said.

“In developing this habitat, JPT Tours saw the potential a significant glow worm experience would bring to this part of Queensland and over the last 18 months has developed what is now regarded as one of the most outstanding glow worm habitats in the country,” said Mr Brett.

The JPT Tour Group identified the ever-growing numbers being drawn to the tropical north and believes this state-of-the-art glow worm attraction expands the offerings in the Atherton Tablelands region.

The special experiences available onsite include platypus viewing, an Aussie barbecue dinner under the stars within the rainforest and a guest appearance by Cairns local zoologist, Mark Culleton in his Birds of Prey show followed by a dusk walk to the banks of the Barron River. Guests meet a myriad of wildlife including pademelons, possums, bats, bandicoots, tree kangaroos and more.

Guests will taste crocodile and kangaroo – many for the first time – and enjoy the thrill of meeting Tropical North Queensland’s nocturnal community.

After dinner, grab a torch and thrill at the glorious display of glow worms, an educational commentary and breathtaking light show.

Every tour participant gets their chance to spotlight along the dark forest paths and help reveal the many inhabitants that bring the forest to life at night.

“This is truly a wondrous and educational evening with an interactive look at eagles, falcons, owls and Australian native wildlife, followed by a fully catered meal and the thrill of a rare and inspiring glow worm display,” said Mr Brett.

Bookings are essential for independent travelers to meet the tour group at a cost of $75 per adult and $55 for children aged four to 14 years.

The JPT Tour Group also offers the Gone Wild with the Locals Tour with the Kuranda Rainforest Skyrail, a half-day on Green Island or the Kuranda Scenic Railway journey.

Soft adventure is promoting soft adventure, one of the fastest growing segments of Jamaica’s tourism industry. Among the soft adventure attractions are the following: Mystic Mountain, Ocho Rios — The Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain boasts over 100 acres of land stretching from its coast road entrance to over 700 feet above sea level. Modeled after the Jamaican bobsled team sled, the ride is powered by gravity.

Riders need only to push a foot-brake to release the bobsled down the track. Among the features of this environmentally friendly attraction: a state-of-the-art chairlift, a bobsled coaster ride, an aerial tour and a Jamaican athletic heritage museum.

For more information, visit www.rainforestbobsledjamaica.com

Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios — Chukka Caribbean Adventures operates 28 excursions, including Horse Back Ride n’ Swim, Zion Bob Marley Bus Line, 4×4 Off-Road Safaris, Jungle River Tubing, Zipline Canopy Tour, ATV, Bicycle, Hiking and Airboats. Children ages 10 and older can experience their popular Zipline Canopy Tour through the jungle via a series of decks and platforms, connected by traverses, mounted in the trees of Jamaica’s rainforest.

Certified canopy specialist guides lead the adventure. Chukka’s Jamaica Dog Sled Experience is a one-on-one tour with the dogs of the Jamaica Dog Sled team.

Many of the dogs were rescued by the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Once onboard the sled, experienced mushers will take guests into the scenic Jamaican countryside. Riders will learn the history and art of mushing and assist with harnessing and interaction with the loveable dog team.

For more information, visit www.chukkacaribbean.com

Dunn’s River Falls & Park, Ocho Rios — Skilled guides lead adventurous visitors up the falls, where the view from the top is breathtaking. The cautious climber can walk alongside to observe the falls and friends. There is also an accessible beach located at the base of Dunn’s River Falls where the river meets the ocean.

For more information, visit www.dunnsriverfallsja.com

Dolphin Cove at Treasure Reef, Ocho Rios — Located adjacent to Dunn’s River Falls, Dolphin Cove at Treasure Reef offers visitors a chance to swim with dolphins and sharks, interact with stingrays (barbs removed), captain a mini-boat or go glass bottom kayaking. Guests can also enjoy a splash in the turquoise ocean or relax on the white sand beach. Trained handlers provide a detailed orientation and education session, introducing participants to the world of the dolphins.

For more information, visit www.dolphincovejamaica.com

Black River Safari, South Coast — Experienced tour guides give guests a visit with the Black River crocodiles via motorized canopied boats that launch up Jamaica’s longest navigable river and through what is Jamaica’s largest wetland area. Lush vegetation, over 100 different species of rare birdlife and knotted mangroves that hug the shoreline are all on display. For more information, visit www.jamaica-southcoast.com

Rafting on the Martha Brae, Falmouth — Visitors will take a river ride on a 30-foot handmade bamboo raft while learning about the legend of Martha’s Gold that has been hidden away in a mysterious cave, yet to be discovered. The three-mile raft ride is piloted by a trained “Raft Captain” who will gently glide the raft upstream through the verdant Jamaica countryside.

For more information, visit www.jamaicarafting.com 

For general destination information, call 800-JAMAICA (800-526-2422) or visit www.visitjamaica.com

Derech Hamelach, a network of 14 Salt Room treatment centers throughout Israel, will launch its newest facility, a Speleotherapy (“salt room therapy”) Clinic and R&D Center on the campus of Hadassah Ein Kerem’s Jerusalem BioPark (JBP). It will be operated by Breathewell LTD, the proprietors of another clinic in Modiin.

In the nine years since Derech Hamelach opened the doors of its first Salt Room in Haifa, the network has successfully launched 13 additional facilities across the country. Over the years, thousands of patients have found relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, sinusitis and chronic ear infections as a direct result of the Speleotherapy treatments.

Speleotherapy, the core of the Derech Hamelach network’s offerings, is a natural respiratory remedy whereby dry salt aerosol is passively inhaled in a specially constructed salt room, or “Speleochamber.” The therapy — popular in Russia and Eastern Europe — involves breathing in microscopic salt particles that act as a natural disinfectant, accelerating mucus clearance and improving lung function while killing harmful bacteria and soothing the respiratory system.

Though Speleotherapy is currently seen as a treatment for “sick people,” Derech Hamelach hopes that their Salt Rooms will begin to attract individuals without respiratory conditions who simply see regular treatments as a quick and effortless way to keep their lungs healthy and strengthen their immune systems — keys for healthy living.

Breathewell LTD (www.breathewell.com ), the Israeli daughter company of U.S.-based Breathewell LLC, was established in 2008 with the purpose of studying and providing natural therapies to patients suffering from respiratory and chronic illnesses such as asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis and chronic ear infections.

The company’s Salt Room centers focus on Speleotherapy and Halotherapy and are supervised by Israel’s leading Speleotherapy consultant. Breathewell opened its first Israeli clinic in Modiin in Feb 2009 and have plans to open additional facilities in Israel and expand the business to North America in the coming months. Hadasit (www.hadasit.co.il), the technology transfer company of Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) in Jerusalem, promotes and commercializes HMO’s continuously generated intellectual property and research and development capabilities.

Intellectual property generated by HMO has already gained global recognition due to Hadasit’s successful enterprising of Hadassah’s biomedical technology, including novel therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices. Jerusalem BioPark is located in the heart of the Ein Kerem Hadassah campus adjacent to Hadassah University Hospitals and Hebrew University’s Medical School. This proximity fosters synergistic partnerships between Hadassah’s institutions and the companies and professionals based in the park, all who share the goal of developing therapeutic life science technologies.

For more information, visit www.biojerusalem.org.il

It was announced that the long-standing Bank Line 120-day round-the-world passenger/cargo service was being ended, followed by the news in August that three of the four ships engaged in this service had been sold for scrap. However, Kevin Griffin, managing director of London-based The Cruise People says “this is not the end of the line for round-the-world passenger travel by cargo ship and we have a wonderful alternative in modern ships that spend more time in ports than the usual container ship.”

That alternative is the 126-day round-the-world route of the Hamburg-based Rickmers Pearl String service, which operates nine sister ships in a twice-monthly service from Hamburg, Antwerp and Genoa to ports in Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Japan, then across the Pacific to the US Gulf and East Coasts before returning to Europe. Additional calls may be made in India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam or Taiwan, subject to cargo requirements.

Much more modern than the Bank Line ships, the Rickmers Hamburg and her eight sister ships are multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels that entered service in 2002/04. Capable of speeds up to 19.5 knots, they carry seven passengers and up to 29,750 tons of cargo. Masters and officers are for the most part Polish and Croatian and crew International.

These “Superflex” vessels carry four heavy cranes and transport project and other unusual cargoes that often mean longer port times than in conventional container ships.

Passenger accommodations include a 320 sq ft (30 m2) Owners suite, a 195 sq ft (18 m2) double cabin and three 160 sq ft (15 m2) single cabins. Each ship has a passenger lounge with televison, DVD player and a small library, as well as coffee making facilities, and meals are taken together with the officers in their dining room.

There is an outdoor swimming pool and an open area with deck chairs and also a large recreation area featuring full length windows that face both forward and aft and can be used in inclement weather and also for birthday parties.

Fares for the full 126 days start at Euros 8,680 (about £7,890) per person double, Euros 9,920 (about £9,020) for single passengers or per person in the Owners suite, plus Euros 375 (about £340) for dues and taxes. Passengers qualify for a 10% reduction if bookings are made a year in advance and 5% for reservations six months before departure.

Part passages are also available, with fares based on the number of days spent on board, for example from Antwerp to Singapore, Shanghai or Houston, or from Houston to Hamburg, Singapore or Shanghai or from Singapore back to Hamburg.

Angsana Riads Collection Morocco, made up of a series of authentic Moroccan riads, introduced two new excursions for guests to discover the oasis of the Atlas, the Moroccan desert, and traditional Berber lifestyle. Designed to compliment the experience of staying in an authentic riad in Marrakech, guests can opt for a two-night adventure in a retreat camp or a journey across the desert immersed in the culture and landscapes of Morocco.

The oasis excursion includes a two-night stay at a nomad camp tucked away in the Moroccan Atlas, where guests experience life as it is lived in the middle of the desert.

Located between two palm groves in the valley of Oued Izerki, halfway between Skoura and Ouarzazate, the camp offers guests a glimpse into life in the Southern Atlas valley. This camp is the ideal base to visit Ouarzazate and its region, and offers an authentic experience of traditional Berber life in a valley that is unknown to most tourists.

At the camp, guests can enjoy walks to the nearby kasbahs and gardens, take up cooking classes in Berber cuisine, and local Moroccan massages.

Excursions on horseback or donkey rides can also be arranged with advance booking. The desert excursion includes a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait village, where guests will spend the night in a camp on the first night.

The second day, guests will visit a collection of Berber villages for a more intimate insight into the lifestyle of the natives.

Guests will then head to the desert camp located to the south of Djebel Sagho on the site of an ancient nomadic encampment in the valley.

The camp is surrounded on all sides by the Moroccan desert. Short excursions in a 4×4 land cruiser allow guests to discover the small oasis, villages, and the sites of ancient rock carvings. On the third day, guests will enjoy their breakfast at the camp and make their way back to Marrakech.

Rates for the oasis and desert excursions each start at $636 per person, and include a 4×4 land cruiser with a driver for three days, two night full-board accommodation, and round-trip transfers to Angsana Riads Collection in Morocco.

For a three-night stay at the Riads including the excursion, rates start at $790 per person and are inclusive of a three night stay in a superior room at Angsana Riads Collection in Morocco with daily breakfast, and a two night excursion with transfers.

These packages are valid from Nov. 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.

For more information or reservations, call 800-591-0439, email reservations-marrakech@angsana.com  or visit www.angsana.com

For those in the know, Helsinki has plenty to offer along the lines of vintage and second-hand shopping. A parade of newly opened second-hand fashion stores and a fair arranged specially for vintage shopping, Helsinki Vintage, are proof that the boom is not going to fizzle out anytime soon.

This retro resurgence has made vintage and second-hand fashion more popular than ever. Helsinki’s downtown neighbourhoods of Punavuori, Kruunuhaka, Töölö and Kallio offer a good selection of vintage stores selling clothing, accessories, furniture and other decorative items.

Shopping second-hand may be considered an ecologically conscious statement, but the newest kids on the block, Vintage Babushka and Green Dress whip out tempting collections that are sure to appeal to your fashion sense, if not to your ethics.

Second-hand shopping for vintage-loving vigilantes

Organized twice a year, the Helsinki Vintage fair welcomes you to a nostalgic journey into bygone eras. The event gathers close to 50 of Finland’s best vintage and second-hand dealers and offers a fascinating variety of goodies from decades, from decor to original vintage fashion items.

The one-day vintage soiree is topped with a styling show, live music with a vintage twist, an exhibition of vintage arcade games such as pinball machines as well as a charming café. The next vintage fair is organized on September 27 at Kaapelitehdas.
For more information, visit www.helsinkivintage.fi

Vintage Fashion Shopping Guide

Here is a list of selected vintage stores in Helsinki.

Vintage Babushka, http://vintagebabushka.com

A newcomer in Helsinki’s shopping scene, Vintage Babushka is run by three young friends with a long-lived passion for quality vintage apparel and accessories.

Already with a strong following amongst the hip crowd of the vibrant Punavuori neighbourhood, Vintage Babushka puts out well-selected seasonal collections. This fall’s theme is Back to Black.
Address: Iso Roobertinkatu 42, Opening hours Wed-Fri 14-19, Sat 12-16

Green Dress, www.thegreendress.fi

Opened in spring 2009, the store’s concept mixes high-quality vintage pieces from past seasons, custom-designed clothes made of recycled materials and ethical fashion labels as well as stylist and handbag rental services.
Address: Laivurinkatu 41, Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11-19, Sat 11-16

Ansa, http://vintageansa.blogspot.com

Ansa’s beautifully decorated boutique sells second-hand items from clothes to accessories. The store’s specialty is a selection of children’s clothing. You may find it hard to imagine your little darling in red leather shorts, but they do look awfully adorable!
Address: Fleminginkatu 8, Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12-19, Sat 12-16

Helsinki 10, www.helsinki10.com

In addition to new designer goods, Helsinki 10 also houses a large section with trendy second-hand clothing suited to the season. With items for both women and men, collections include anything from leather jackets to floral dresses. The range of boots on offer is highly recommended.
Address: Eerikinkatu 3, Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11-20, Sat 11-18

Mekkomania, www.mekkomania.fi

Mekko is the Finnish word for dress, and a dress-crazy proprietor runs the cute store located in a corner of the Pinkki Paplari hair salon. Offering carefully chosen frocks from days of yore, particularly from Finnish designers, Mekkomania also carries jewellery, shoes, gloves, bags and the occasional wedding dress from the 1970s.
Address: Mannerheimintie 31, Opening hours: Tue 11-16, Wed-Thu 11-19, Fri 11-15

Play it again, Sam
The 32-year old pioneer of Helsinki’s vintage boutiques is a legend in its own right. Its range includes clothing, evening gowns, shoes, bags, hats, wigs, jewellery and corsets, with the oldest items dating back to the nineteenth century. The shop also has a corner for men’s items.
Address: Rauhankatu 2, Opening hours Mon-Fri 10.30-18, Sat 11-15

Penny Lane Boutique, www.pennylane.fi

Penny Lane is owned and run by a former Miss Finland who worked as a flight attendant for over four decades. The shop offers quality second-hand items and vintage fashion from clothing to accessories. There is a fine selection of vintage ball gowns and formal dresses on the first floor.
Address: Runeberginkatu 37, Opening hours Mon-Fri 12-17, Sat 12-15

For more Information visit
Visit Finland at www.visitfinland.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the debut of The Luxury Collection brand in Russia, with the addition of Hotel National, A Luxury Collection Hotel.

Following the first phase of a significant renovation to the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces, the Moscow hotel has joined The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. Built in 1903 by Russian architect Alexander Ivanov, Hotel National has been a historic landmark for more than a century, in location overlooking the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square in the heart of Moscow’s historical, cultural and business center. Hotel National has undergone an extensive renovation of all guest rooms, suites and public areas.

Each of the 206 guest rooms feature genuine and exclusive furniture inspired by the hotel’s nineteenth century décor, spacious bathing and dressing areas, as well as state-of-the-art technologies including plasma TVs and DVD players.

In addition, the hotel’s 56 historical suites are adorned with authentic and rare Russian antiquities, including vases, lamps, mirrors, statues and paintings. Many of the hotel’s guest rooms boast exceptional city views including panoramas of the Kremlin.

The second renovation phase is scheduled to commence in 2010 and will bring about an underground parking, new spa and fitness facilities as well as two magnificent Presidential suites.

Future renovation plans will also include the addition of an exclusive courtyard restaurant as well as a redesign of Hotel National’s Alexandrovsky bar and Moskovski restaurant with a new haute cuisine culinary concept. The restoration of Hotel National will be completed by the end of 2012.