Jetsettersblog

Aéroports de Paris and France’s Directorate General of Customs have launched what they describe as Europe’s first self-service tax refund facility.

The new service, called PABLO (roughly translated as “Program of Tax Refund Clearance by Optical Scanning”), aims to speed up tax refund procedures for travelers before their departure through a series of kiosks. Passengers can validate their tax refund form in two easy steps first through a bar code optical scanning terminal located in the check-in area, and through a second in the boarding lounge to confirm their exit from French territory.

The system has been tested at CDG Terminal 2A since November 2007, and has since been extended to all terminals at the airport. There are now 35 kiosks in use.

To communicate the benefits of using the service, Aéroports de Paris has distributed brochures through its terminals in several languages and created a poster and online promotional campaign.

PABLO was born out of a Customs’ initiative with the participation of Aeroports de Paris and several partners — BAR (The Board of Airlines Representatives), AOC (Community of Airlines Operators), Air France-KLM, and DPAF (Direction of the Frontiers Police).

For more information, visit www.douane.gouv.fr

Island Destinations, a luxury custom tour operator, launched a new travel insurance product that combines its existing pre-departure plan with enhanced post-departure coverage by Travel Guard — SPF 24/7.

The new product claims more benefits and fewer restrictions, and also protects agent commission. The operator also released its Travelers Collection 2010, a glossy portfolio featuring 127 luxury properties in warm-weather destinations, including hotels, resorts and villas. New properties include a new resort in Oman and several in Florida.

Also new, and featured on the brochure cover, is Capella Pedregal Los Cabos in Mexico.

The SPF 24/7 coverage plan combines Island Destinations’ existing pre-departure plan with enhanced post-departure coverage by Travel Guard, and fewer restrictions.

The product is being rolled out in time for peak-season holiday travel.

Pre-departure coverage gives travelers the freedom to cancel or change any portion of their vacation for any reason prior to scheduled flight departure time, without paying any normally assessed change or cancellation penalties.

Coverage includes cancellation for any reason up to departure time; cancellation for holiday travel (“named risks” only, such as illness, accidents, etc.); holiday travel premiums reduced by $100 to $230; and 100 percent refund up to $65,000 per booking.

Post-departure coverage begins the moment travelers embark on their journey, covering trip interruptions, cancellations and even delays due to documented traffic accident en route to the airport. Coverage includes 100 percent coverage for trip interruption, $1,000 for trip delay, $1,000 for lost baggage, $600 for baggage delay, $30,000 for Medical expenses, $50,000 for emergency evacuation, $50,000 for accident or death benefits and 24-hour access to Travel Guard Livetravel Assistance.

For more information, call 877-903-2525 or visit www.islanddestinations.com

Committed to providing anticipative service and a personalized luxury experience that its guests have come to know and expect,

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has expanded its partnership with BMW to offer members of the brand’s guest loyalty program, Fairmont President’s Club, complimentary access to BMW X5 xDrive 35d Sport Activity Vehicles during their stay. The new Advanced Diesel-powered hotel courtesy vehicles, available at Fairmont’s world-class hotels across Canada, will be on hand to transport guests around the destination in style. Guests may be chauffeured for a range of purposes including attending meetings outside the hotel, exploring the local destination and much more. The BMW X5 xDrive 35d is equipped with an array of latest-generation EfficientDynamics diesel technology, and is among the most efficient and cleanest running BMW vehicles ever produced for the Canadian market. With an average fuel consumption of 9.3 L/100km, this Sport Activity Vehicle is the most fuel efficient in its class, and is fully compliant with Canadian emissions regulations for nitrogen oxides.

The variable twin turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine boasts an astounding 425 foot-pounds of torque and 265 horsepower, while producing 25 percent less CO2 emissions than comparable gasoline-powered engines.

Expanding on their relationship, Fairmont and BMW will also work closely on a number of co-branded marketing opportunities and will extend special benefits and privileges to their respective network of frequent guests and loyal customers.

Earlier this year, Fairmont introduced a complimentary hotel bicycle service featuring BMW Cruise Bikes at select hotels across Canada.

The state-of-the-art bikes grant active and adventurous travelers the opportunity to tread lightly on the environment and explore the landscapes of Fairmont’s distinctive locales on a dynamic mode of transportation.

This new benefit is reserved exclusively for members of Fairmont President’s Club. Free to join, Fairmont President’s Club provides guests with special benefits and privileges designed to reflect individual travel preferences and offer an enhanced level of service.

Personalized travel profiles afford members customized stay experiences, while in-hotel benefits include private check-in, complimentary room upgrades, adidas workout gear, free high-speed Internet access, and TaylorMade golf clubs at select locations.

Guests can enroll at time of booking or online at www.fairmont.com/fpc

Los Altos Beach Resort & Spa, the latest luxury boutique resort on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, has officially opened in Manuel Antonio.

The 21-acre condo-resort offers one-, two-, three, and four-bedroom suites, which are outfitted with large salons, gourmet kitchens and furnishings defined by a modern Balinese design. The property is an ideal destination for families, couples and groups alike, offering a large heated infinity pool, full service restaurant facilities, fitness center and Great Jones Spa services.

The location neighbors Manuel Antonio National Park, which is the region’s largest national park. Opening Specials include stay for seven nights and pay for five nights or stay for four nights and pay for three nights, including daily breakfast and transfers. Specials are valid on seven night stays over the Christmas holiday period.

For more information, call 888-98-ALTOS

or visit www.losaltosresort.com

Change Your View On The Ultimate Meeting Room

Welcome to Level 8 meetings and events at the Hilton Brisbane. Prepare to have your view changed on the ultimate venue for conferences and meetings, private dinners – business or pleasure – and memorable social celebrations.

Level 8 will elevate your view of conference and meeting venues.

Boutique in every aspect from décor to personalised service, privacy and comfort, our meeting rooms are bathed in natural light, packed with state of the art technology yet stylishly devoid of clutter to provide the most creative, inspirational and soul energising environment.

Previously an observation deck, Level 8 was redeveloped in the hotel’s extensive refurbishment program in 2006. The large open space was redesigned into three superb meeting rooms, equipped with the very latest in technology.

Designed for the discerning conference client who demands a comfortable and flexible space, Level 8 meetings and events spirits guests away from the frantic pace of business life to an oasis where, the imagination is fired and the corporate and creative soul re-energised.

Bathed in natural light from floor to ceiling windows, these pillar-less rooms offer extraordinary views of the city and outstanding hospitality and service clients have come to expect from Hilton Brisbane.

Located at mezzanine level away from the hustle and bustle of the hotel, Level 8 offers guests a high level of privacy. Catering for up to 60 delegates (theatre style) and featuring a large pre-function area, level 8 offers amazing flexibility of space as boardroom by day becomes spectacular private dinner venue by night.

Meeting packages on Level 8 can be tailored specifically to the clients needs. Day delegate packages start from $79.00 per person and include a whiteboard or flipchart, pens, pads, mints, arrival espresso coffee, morning & afternoon tea breaks and lunch in the Atrium Restaurant.

For private dinners the opportunities are endless, choose from our celebrity inspired ‘Creative Catering’ menus or have our Chef design something special from our ‘Quintessentially Queensland’ menu.

Complementing the boutique-style Level 8 facilities is the extensive range of event space on Level 5. This 2500 sqm state of the art, purpose-built event floor accommodates up to 2000 delegates and offers a range of small meeting rooms as well as expansive pre-function areas and two elegant ballrooms.

Since opening its doors in 1986, the Hilton Brisbane has been regarded a true international hotel. One of the hotels to be designed by award-winning Australian architect Harry Seidler, Hilton Brisbane features an eye-catching curved design and boasts the largest atrium in Australasia, stretching 83 metres in height and topped by a spectacular glass dome. All 319 accommodation levels open out onto the atrium, giving the hotel a sense of spaciousness and light.

The Great Holiday Homes of Australia have been revealed in the latest issue of Australian Traveller magazine.

Just in time for Christmas, the leading domestic travel magazine has researched the amazing array of Australian holiday homes with some surprising results.

The houses selected range from just $150 per night to $4290 per night. The houses also range from the beach shack to the opulent Palm Beach or Portsea weekender, tropical rainforest lodges to bush hideaways.

According to the magazine, the holiday home is the ultimate Australian getaway lodging.

“Spending a weekend – or even an entire week – in a holiday home with family or friends is about as good as it gets,“ says Australian Traveller editor Greg Barton. “So it makes sense to research and publish some of the great homes that are known and even better – the hidden gems.”

“For example, there is the iconic Pole House on the Great Ocean Road. But I love the quirky Mulberry
Mansion in suburban Fremantle, or the inexpensive Partridge Cottage at Byron Bay, or how about the multi million-dollar Amileka in the Byron Bay Hinterland?”

The criteria to be selected by the magazine as a great holiday home was based on a balance of different styles of homes, locations,and budgets.

“From fascinating furniture to amazing locations to intriguing history, each of the 100 homes has a unique appeal – and caters to all budgets,” Barton continued.

According to the latest research 51% of all travellers’ accommodation in Australia was in a private home or holiday rental.

The full list is available at www.australiantraveller.com

Also in the issue:

10 Things To Do In Australia Before You Turn 10

The 100 Great Australian Holiday Homes are featured in the Oct/Nov ‘09 edition of Australian Traveller, on sale now.

100 Great Australian Holiday Homes By State • 25 homes in NSW • 23 homes in QLD • 14 homes in SA • 12 homes in WA • 11 homes in VIC • 11 homes in TAS • 4 homes in NT

The warmer weather is coming and, to celebrate, KEA is offering adventure seekers 25% off 4WD Pop-Top Campervans, for travel between Perth, Darwin, Alice Springs, Adelaide and Broome.

The discount is available to all Australian and New Zealand residents for travel from until February 28, 2010.

KEA’s supercharged 4WD is Australia’s gutsiest rental off-road RV, while also being the safest and most comfortable.

The customised Toyota Troop Carrier has been created for the adventurous explorer, providing a monstrous 4.5L V8, 150kw turbo diesel engine. Combined with improved suspension, halogen headlamps and four-wheel disc brakes, KEA’s off-road campervan can go harder and further without compromising comfort, safety and handling.

The model troop carrier chassis also makes KEA’s the sleekest 4WD campervan around, with new fenders, bumpers and bonnet creating a more streamlined appearance.

Specially-constructed bulkheads keep all living necessities such as crockery, cooking equipment, two burner stove and bedding securely stored for little movement for travelling over the rough terrain.

“Any true traveller will tell you of the thrill of being able to go where few have gone before! Our 4WD campervan is designed for exactly that, and does it like no other rental off-road camper can,” said Lynn Briggs, Marketing Manager for KEA.

“There are so many fantastic places to explore from Perth to Broome to Adelaide and we think there is no better time to get out there and make the most of it than in the coming months.”

KEA’s 4WD Pop-Top also features a 38L fresh water tank and twin 90L fuel tanks which, with an average consumption rate of 14 L per 100km – a huge bonus considering most rental 4WD campervans in Australia consume fuel at a rate of around 20L per 100km.

Cabin air conditioning, ventilated sleeping and living areas and sliding, fly-screened rear windows make it more comfortable to travel in the hotter regions and months, while the well-designed indoor dining and living area makes best use of the space available in the rear of the camper. Every KEA 4WD campervan also has three separate power sources – 240V battery, 12V house battery and solar power – to ensure travellers never run out of juice.

KEA’s 25% discount is available to all Australian and New Zealand residents for travel between November 15 and February 28, 2010, between Perth, Darwin, Alice Springs, Adelaide and Broome.

For more information or to make a booking, visit www.keacampers.com.au  email reservationsau@keacampers.com  or phone 1800 252 555.

QUITO, Ecuador – Travelers looking to get up close and personal with rare animal species need look no further than the Galapagos Islands.

Because the islands are a World Heritage site, visitors are treated to numerous unique animals from the giant tortoises from which the islands get their name to the abundant sea turtles to the iguanas, lava and gecko lizards.

Ninety percent of the area’s reptiles can’t be found anywhere else on earth.

Birdwatchers will revel in 140 species including three species of Boobies, Penguins, Finches, Flightless Cormorants, and Waved Albatross to name a few.

Sea lions and fur seals represent mammals on the islands. The best way to experience the Galapagos is on a cruise.

Latin Trails represents a first-class catamaran in the islands, the Journey I.

This boat is staffed with local guides to ensure the best possible wildlife viewing.

The Journey can accommodate up to 16 passengers making for the ideal small group cruise.

Other amenities include a comfortable dining room, tv, dvd, stereo, library, inside bar, upper deck bar, Jacuzzi and spacious sundeck with reclining chairs.

www.galapagoscatamarans.com

A new 2km long gondola lift, one of the world’s largest ski construction projects this year, is underway in Slovakia’s largest ski resort of Jasna and is due to open in time for the start of the 2009/10 ski season.

Construction on the new 13 million euro, eight passenger Grand Brhliska gondola began in May.

It will rise from close to the Grand Hotel Jasna, 320 vertical metres from 1100m to 1420m and has a capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour, double that of the older four passenger lift it replaces.

Grand Brhliska gondola will also be 328m longer than the old lift.

As part of the construction project the ski slope Nr 10 Vrbicka (350m) is being lengthened to 2,3km long and will have full snow making to cover this slope at the bottom station of the cableway.

To accommodate the new gondola the access road to the nearby hotels will be diverted under the ski slope through a new tunnel and the resorts Biela Púť and Otupné will be linked by the lower parts of the ski slopes Biela Púť and Vrbická.

There will also be a completely new 700m long ski slope in the Otupné sector, which will be located to the east of the ski run Vrbická.

The new run will provide a bypass to a steep part of the Vrbická piste.

For information, www.jasna.sk

Marriott International created a mini-guide featuring free activities throughout London.

With sophisticated, affordable London hotels and some well-chosen sites, travelers can experience many of the city’s top attractions and a few hidden treasures without spending a dime, such as Tate Modern.

On the banks of the Thames, the Tate Modern is Britain’s national museum of international modern art and has an array of works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dali, Pollock and Warhol, as well as many up-and-coming artists. With the exception of special exhibitions, admission to Tate Modern is free.

Other free activities include: The Tower Bridge — Just a short walk from Tate Modern and many London hotels, the Tower Bridge is one of the city’s most iconic structures.

Visitors can watch as the bridge is raised and lowered to allow boats to pass beneath it. St. James’s Park — Located next to Westminster (the Houses of Parliament), St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park is London’s oldest Royal Park.

In addition to castle views, it also boasts a restaurant, a lake and gardens. Trafalgar Square — In the heart of the city, visitors to Trafalgar Square will find cultural events and an array of activities taking place throughout the square. Kenwood House — In Hampstead Heath, near many London hotels, this 17th century manor features panoramic city views, lush gardens with wooded paths and, although the home is largely void of furnishings, it boasts a world-class art collection, with paintings by Rembrandt, Turner, Reynolds, Gainsborough and Vermeer.

For more information, visit www.marriott.com/city/london-hotels