Jetsettersblog

Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a 27-acre property at mile marker (MM) 82 oceanside in Islamorada, is set to reopen Dec. 15, 2009, showcasing its classic Florida Keys architecture, chic West Indies décor and tradition of “barefoot elegance.”

The property has been closed to the public since Jan. 1, 2009, after a New Year’s Eve fire heavily damaged its main lodge. Recently, a “topping off” celebration marked the highlight of an intensive 90-day major construction project that featured 62 concrete, pre-greened modular suites trucked to the Florida Keys and hoisted in place with cranes.

The 840-square-foot-suites were delivered with fully-equipped bathrooms — including marble tile floors, granite counter tops, bath fixtures and marble and glass rain showers — and all electrical wiring and cabling already installed throughout each suite.

The modules are highly insulated, environmentally sustainable, energy efficient and can withstand a category 5 hurricane.

The units are fabricated from 30 percent recycled materials.

Cheeca’s new four-story main lodge integrates the original porte-cochere entrance and is built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Cheeca’s transformation also includes an expansive indoor-outdoor lobby lounge, meeting room with ocean-view floor-to-ceiling windows, two new restaurants and a club floor with sun deck.

The resort is scheduled to reopen Dec. 15. More information on Cheeca Lodge can be found at www.cheeca.com

Grand Canyon, AZ;—This 3-day/2-night Escape created by Arizona River Runners is a favorite for those who are looking for an action packed short break from Las Vegas and the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon from the bottom up.

The journey begins in Las Vegas with a scenic helicopter flight to the Bar-10 Ranch on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

At the ranch, enjoy good old fashioned ranch cooking and spend the afternoon in the saddle horseback riding or learning about the inner workings of a real ranch. End the day with a mouth-watering Dutch-oven dinner and toe-tapping entertainment from the Bar 10 staff.

As night falls, bed down in the charming lodge or an authentic Conestoga wagon where you dream of seeing one of the Wonders of the World the next day.

The next morning, take a scenic helicopter ride to the canyon floor where you spend the next day and a half exploring 117 miles of the mighty Colorado River.

Experience the high canyon walls, ancient lava flows, and rushing rapids in one of the world’s most fascinating places and you enjoy blessed sleep under the stars and delicious riverside chow. On the last day, enjoy a scenic jet boat ride down the last leg of the river and an air-conditioned motor coach ride back to Vegas.
Farest: $1075 per person plus $12 National Park Fee.

www.raftarizona.com

At the luxury Maine resort, Inn by the Sea, some believe a spirit frequents the halls. The spooky story about a young woman lingering at the newly renovated resort is well known by the local Portland residents. But to guests the story, and the occurrences that happen in the hotel, are captivating. Her story is below.

The eco-luxury Inn by the Sea is located on Crescent Beach in the charming coastal town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, just minutes from Portland. Selected one of Tripadvisor’s Top Ten Green hotels worldwide and Top 100 Hotels in US & Canada by Travel & Leisure.

For more information, please log onto www.innbythesea.com

Their focus ranges from pet-friendly packages, to family getaways.

Lydia is seemingly just a ghost who has yet to pass on. The 19th Century soon-to-be bride was involved in a shipwreck on a voyage from Boston to Maine to get a fitting for her ceremony garb. Unluckily, the ship’s captain brought his wife aboard—a bad omen to many seafaring legends—and the boat was wrecked right on Crescent Beach where Inn by the Sea stands now. Lydia was found on the shore, next to her wedding dress.

If you talk to the staff, and even some of the guests, they will reinforce the ghost stories.

The executive housekeeper for the Inn has said that “On several occasions I would leave the property after making sure that everything was shut down, everything was secure. Then, as I would be driving out of the parking lot, I would look up and see the lights on in an area that I had just shut down.” Sometimes the guests experience an encounter with Lydia.

“One young lady was asleep in her room when she thought her mother had come in from the other bedroom. She spoke out to what she thought was her mother, but got no response. In the morning, she was amazed to see an indentation in the bed linens, at the foot of her bed, indicating someone had been sitting there.”

By taking inspiration from this, and other ghost stories, you could win a complimentary getaway. The Inn with Pumpkin Art package includes two nights in a single bedroom accommodation, breakfast for two each morning, your choice of the perfect carving pumpkin, and the tools needed to carve your most creative Jack – O – Lantern.

Guests will compete by carving a fall master piece, and at the end of the month a winning pumpkin will be chosen. The winner will have all of the expenses of their stay credited back to them.

Through Dec. 17, 2009, visitors to Key West can save as much as 50 percent on accommodations, museums and attractions, excursions, water sports and dining by purchasing a Key West Vacation Pass from the Key West Attractions Association.

Two levels of the exclusive savings pass are available. The $49 pass offers values on attractions admission, water sports, tours, dining and shopping, with savings ranging from two-for-one admission at historic museums and nature facilities to significant discounts on sunset sailing excursions, snorkel trips and other water adventures.

The $149 pass also includes discounts on accommodations, including free or reduced-price room nights with specified stays, as well as complimentary meals and resort credits.

Passes must be purchased online before arriving in Key West. For more information and to purchase passes, visit www.keywestattractions.org

FORT COLLINS, Colo – Meandering along the scenic and wild Poudre River, the Poudre River Trail often makes cyclists forget they are in the middle of a city.

This paved trail is used as a commuter route as well as for recreation.

Wildlife is abundant and it’s not uncommon to see herons, toads, and the occasional turtle along the way. The trail runs for 10.10 miles between the Overland Trail at Lyons Park in northwest Fort Collins and the Environmental Learning Center on E. Drake in southeast Fort Collins.

The Environmental Learning Center is an ideal destination for bird watchers. The center is home to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center, a rescue organization for birds of prey. At any given time, visitors can view numerous permanently disabled ambassador birds including bald eagles, golden eagles and hawks.

www.visitftcollins.com

KAMPALA, Uganda—Volcanoes Safaris new eco-lodge near the Kyambura Gorge, facing the Rwenzori Mountains, is part of the Volcanoes Kyambura Eco-tourism Partnership Program.

In addition to housing guests of Volcanoes Safaris’ award-winning safaris, the lodge will help to protect an isolated community of chimpanzees, and create a buffer zone between the gorge and the surrounding communities.

The Volcanoes Trust is working with local people to help promote the conservation of chimpanzees and the benefits of tourism to the area.

On the savannah plains below the Kyambura Gorge Lodge is being built near the Kyambura Gorge at the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Gorge is almost at the geographical center of the Greater Virunga Landscape, at the heart of the Albertine Rift that straddles Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. This landscape is one of the most important areas for avian, primate and wildlife biodiversity in Africa.

Like their other ecolodges the Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge will continue to build on Volcanoes Safaris philosophy of being ecologically sensitive and working closely with communities. Kyambura Gorge Lodge will initially have 8 bandas (rooms) overlooking the Gorge and rolling savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is expected to open in June 2010.

The original site for the lodge, adjoining the gorge, had about 25 acres.

They have since increased it to about 60 acres to protect the neighboring areas of the gorge by creating a buffer zone between them and the gorge, as well as purchasing the site of an illegal brickworks, which will be reconverted back to wetland.

For more information visit www.volcanoessafaris.com

It turns out that in Canada there are fewer openings for full-time heli-guides than there are applicants, so for the enterprising ski or snowboarding enthusiast who wants to eat, sleep and breathe the mountain, the list of potential jobs is long (snow maker, cat driver, lift operator, cafeteria chump…) but not necessarily distinguished.

That is, unless you are the all-expenses paid Snow Bum at British Columbia’s Sun Peaks Resort or the Powder Highway Ultimate Ski Bum in BC’s legendary Rocky Mountains.

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. British Columbia, home of some of the best skiing and snowboarding terrain on the planet, is offering not one but two mind-blowing opportunities to be a ski bum for three months in BC this northern winter, and is calling for applicants.

OPPORTUNITY A:

Sun Peaks, BC’s second-largest ski area (where the Austrian Olympic ski team train), has launched I Want To Be The Snow Bum, a chance for snow lovers to win an all-inclusive stay in BC’s interior mountains for the 2009/2010 Winter Season.

The Snow Bum will spend three months decked out in new outerwear and equipment skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling, even dogsledding, and finding ways to spend food vouchers and flash his/her VIP and backstage passes to all resort events and functions—all whilst sleeping at the finest hotels in the area, of course.

•Who need apply: Anyone 19+ years of age

• Skills required: Intermediate snowboarding or skiing skills

• The fine print: The winner will be expected to brag—er, blog to the world about their “job” through a variety of social media outlets (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, and the official Snow Bum blog site)

• How to apply: A 60-second video is all it takes. Visit www.snowbumcanada.com before 15 November

OPPORTUNITY B:

The dream continues in BC’s Kootenay Rockies region with The Powder Highway Ultimate Ski Bum Blow Your Mind Contest.

No agenda, no job, just snow, mountains, alpine lodging, and a road that links seven resorts, the highest concentration of snowcat and heli operations anywhere, endless glaciers, peaks, tree stashes and bowls all together.

You’ll even be given a vehicle and petrol to get you around it all. This contest is global, but if an Australian become the Ultimate Ski Bum, s/he can take a mate to join in the fun for 10 days skiing or boarding at Panorama Mountain Village.*

• Who need apply: Anyone 19+ years of age

• Skills required: Must have valid drivers license

• The fine print: No fine print. Seriously, how cool is this opportunity?
• How to apply: An up-to 90-second video is all it takes. Visit www.powderhighway.com before 22 November

* “Take a mate” deal valid for Australian residents only who enter a youtube.com video that mentions Ski Tours Canada will be eligible to win. Applicants must enter the competition via www.skitourscanada.com

For more information on travelling to BC visit www.BritishColumbia.travel

ANGELS CAMP, Calif. –Far-reaching, exotic destinations aren’t the only options for an intrepid traveler. Explore 10 of America’s most iconic national parks with O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists). Recognized by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of their “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”, O.A.R.S. offers more trip options than any other North American whitewater rafting company, including 1-day to week-long national park adventures.

Explore destinations like Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, and Yosemite national parks, among others, in an affordable and unique way. With the outfitter’s unique permits, vacationers can explore traditional sites, as well as areas well off the beaten path, in America’s popular national parks. Many trips include transportation to and from the parks, entrance fees, sleeping arrangements, meals, and guided activities – with prices as low as $95 per person per day.

Steve Markle. 970-568-7423. stevem@oars.com  www.oars.com

Get a Snapshot of Culture and Learn to be an Expert Kayaker

Imagine taking to the water in Chile’s gorgeous Futaleufu Valley in your very own kayak—even if you’ve never set foot in one before.

No prior kayaking experience is necessary on Renessaince Adventure Guides’ kayaking adventure through Chile. The professionally trained instructors will teach you everything you need to know about paddling.

Settle into your cozy cabana on the banks of the Rio Futaleufu and get ready for the amazing progression from learning the ins and outs of your kayak to paddling the rapids.

Start by learning basic strokes and rolls in the dramatic surroundings of Lago Espalon. With one instructor to every four guests, you’ll have hands-on attention to master the basics and feel comfortable in the water.

After two days on Lago Espalon, test your skills on the river just below the impressive “Cascades of Espalon”.

Class II moving water surrounded by stunning beauty will inspire and provide you with ample chances to practice catching eddies.

Every kayaker learns by falling in, and this is a great place to get your paddles wet. By the ninth day, you’ll be ready for Rio Palena, a stunning Class III section of river along the Argentine border.

The capstone of kayak school, is the “Bridge to Bridge” section of the Rio Futaleufu. You’ll have the opportunity to kayak or raft depending on your progress, but you’ll celebrate your achievements back at camp with traditional Asado. Cost. $2195. Dates: Jan 7th-17th, 2010.

www.raguides.com

Lake Superior houses a variety of shipwrecks in outstanding condition for exploration and photography. In the last 125 years, ten major vessels have sunk in waters surrounding the Isle Royale National Park. Dry suits are recommended for the same reason that has slowed the numerous wrecks decomposition – frigid 40 degree water.

Divers will find excellent visibility with no light required down to 40 feet in places. Shallow wrecks like the America and the Algoma – both located in less than 10 feet of water — are the most popular. But there is plenty of deeper diversity including the Kamloops, whose deepest remains lie 270 feet below the surface.

These sunken vessels are protected by the National Park Service as cultural treasures to be enjoyed by experienced scuba divers. The Rock Harbor Lodge is the only hotel located on Isle Royale and offers numerous lodging choices from $216 per night.

www.isleroyaleresort.com