Jetsettersblog

PECKHAM PEARLS LIMITED OFFERS SNORKELING PEARL FARM TOURS TO TRAVELERS

Peckham Pearls Limited, at Matei, Taveuni, is now offering snorkeling tours of their pearl farm to travelers. The pearl farm is located in the Naselesele Lagoon, a two-minute boat ride from Audrey’s Beach. Tours depart Mondays through Fridays in a fiberglass boat, and run between an hour and one and a half hours in duration.

Participants are taken on a snorkel tour to the pearl farm and the coral heads next to and around the pearl shed.

The farm is around 45 feet deep while the area around the coral heads is around 12 to 15 feet deep at high tide.

The cost of the tour is FJ$25 per adult and FJ$12 per child aged six to eleven.

Information:

peckhampearls@connect.com.fj

Escape on the ultimate cruise and immerse yourself in total relaxation on the “Raikivi,” a foot sailing catamaran with an onboard Senikai luxury spa.

The vessel is ideal for bachelorette parties, wedding parties and honeymooners, fun day trips, champagne transfers and morning twilight cruises. Charter packages can be catered to suit any requirements. Wedding and celebration packages are also available, including all legalities, catering, bridal makeup and hairstyling.

Information: sales@senikaispas.com.fj

OPENS AS THE SOUTH PACIFIC’S NEWEST WEDDING DESTINATION ON FIJI’S CORAL COAST

One of the world’s best beaches is now home to the pinnacle of luxury resorts, Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, the pride of Fiji’s Coral Cost.

At the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, the authentic Fijian experience is available and easily accessible for pre-wedding getaways, wedding celebrations and honeymoons.

Intercontinental Fiji’s intimate wedding chapel overlooks the azure waters of Natadola Bay and has live video feed capabilities so friends and family can share in the day.

Guests can also choose to hold their wedding ceremony on the white sands of the west-facing Natadola Beach at dawn or dusk—with the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean.

Taste Pacific Northwest’s Finest Recipes and Wine at Lake Quinault Lodge‏

Lake Quinault Lodge in Washington’s majestic Olympic Peninsula is hosting another round of Quinault Quintessentials, a series of culinary weekends featuring dishes inspired by the Pacific Northwest.

Beginning Nov. 6-8, 2009, guests to Lake Quinault Lodge have the opportunity to spend the weekend with Executive Chef Patrick Norris, tasting and learning about the featured flavors of the region.

Opening with a sampling of local wines from Maryhill Winery, fruits and cheeses on Friday evening, Executive Chef Patrick Norris will host an intimate gastronomic weekend featuring cooking demonstrations, an elegant four-course dinner on Saturday and a breakfast on Sunday.

Washingtonians who want to try the tasty recipes for themselves – and stay at Lake Quinault Lodge at a reduced price – can take advantage of the historic resort’s “Culinary and Wine Weekend” lodging package. For $499* for the entire weekend, guests will receive a two-night stay in a Main Lodge View or Lakeside room, Welcome Wine Basket with two Lake Quinault wine glasses, recipe cards of the food demonstrations and access to all the weekend’s culinary festivities: meet the chef reception, cooking demonstration, four-course elegant dinner with wine pairings and breakfast buffet.

In between the weekend’s festivities, guests can unwind and take in the spectacular show of stunning fall colors around Lake Quinault.

With access to calming waterfalls, surrounding wildlife and more than 250 miles of trails through the emerald Quinault Rainforest—one of only three temperate rain forests in North America—Lake Quinault Lodge is an ideal local destination for an outdoor adventure or a relaxing retreat (after enjoying the tasty delights of Chef Norris).

Upcoming Quinault Quintessentials weekends will feature the following local wineries:

January 29-31, 2010 – Cadaretta Winery and Clayhouse Vineyards
March 19-21, 2010 – Cougar Crest Winery
May 21-23, 2010 – Maryhill Winery

Please see below for the complete weekend schedule. To find out more about the culinary weekends, or to book a package at Lake Quinault Lodge, please go to www.visitlakequinault.com  or call (866) 297-7367.

*Disclaimer: Package rate is based on double occupancy. Taxes additional. Additional persons pay for their own dinner and activity as well as the extra person room charge.

Weekend Schedule, Nov. 6 – 8, 2009
Friday, November 6th
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Meet the Chef Reception
Featured wines with a fruit and cheese selection

Saturday, November 7th
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Food and Wine Workshop
Cooking demos by Chef Patrick Norris

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Four course elegant dinner with wine pairings

Sunday, November 8th
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Chef attended breakfast buffet

Thomson Airways has listened to its customers who say: “we hate the pre-flight boarding scrum and complexities associated with booking flight extras”.

With this in mind, it has created a dedicated new service which will help take the stress and worry out of air travel and make it easier for customers to book all those extras which help make their flight even more enjoyable.

For many customers, a flight is the start of a well deserved holiday and Thomson Airways believes it should be a relaxed and memorable experience; not the part they dread the most. This new service, which launches on 15 September 2009, will allow customers who purchase reserved seating to select their own seat onboard the aircraft prior to flying, at no extra cost.

This will mean that they can say goodbye to the seat lottery which is in place on many low-cost carriers, and select the seat of their choice.

This new service will also allow customers to book flight extras including in-flight meals, extra luggage allowance and sports equipment carriage.

 For those extra special occasions, or just as a treat on the start of your holiday, customers can also book champagne and chocolates; all this at a touch of a button!

Carl Gissing, Director of Customer Services for Thomson Airways, comments: “This new online service makes things easier for our customers and removes the common worry many passengers have about sitting next to one another onboard a flight. So our customers can sit back and focus on the more important things; like enjoying their holiday!”

Customers who have booked extra legroom, premium seating or are on a premier* package with either Thomson or First Choice, will receive this service absolutely free. Alternatively, passengers can book reserved seating from as little as £6 per adult one-way.

This new online service is available for those customers due to travel from 1 November 2009 onwards.

All customers must be within 90 days of their inbound flight date to be able to access the service.

With lift, cat, heli and backcountry skiing all in one Kootenay Rockies playground – the only resort on the planet to offer all four to powderhounds – Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a revelation.

Add massive Selkirk Mountains terrain, the highest lift-serviced vertical skiing in North America, and ski-in/ski-out slope-side accommodation with lift, heli and cat access from the base of the gondola, and you’ve got it made.

While a December 5th opening day will beckon skiers and snowboarders to the slopes, it will also reveal a new slope-side addition: the much-anticipated Revelstoke Outdoors Centre, situated in Nelsen Lodge at the foot of Revelation Gondola.

A one-stop shop for the town’s ski and boarding pros, the centre will offer top-notch programs including avalanche skills courses, guided backcountry trips, cat- and heli-prep sessions and specialty mountain education options.

The best part?

You can book a multitude of adventures in just one visit, leaving ample opportunity to snag a much-sought Mid-Mountain Lodge granola bar – perfect to power you through one of the resort’s powder-filled bowls.

Also on schedule for 2010, Nelsen Lodge will unveil their second installment with 56 new suites (ranging from studio to penthouse digs), and a new restaurant with adjacent retail space. www.revelstokemountainresort.com

Receiving Presidents While the West Was Won

The Historic Hotels of the Rockies organization recounts a number of notable presidential visits over the past one hundred years.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES, US, -

Ever since the Office of the President was created, it has been important for the country’s leader to travel as a part of his commitment to the American Dream. When the American West was still wild, presidents had need and reason to visit and to be educated on the great expansion across the continent.

Several members of the Historic Hotels of the Rockies have hosted a series of presidential visits over the last hundred years played a primary role in shaping this heritage.

One of the most frequent visitors to the West was Theodore Roosevelt. Long before he became President, he was traveling in the West and writing books about the adventures, the opportunities and the lifestyle.

In 1898, When the United States entered what later became known as the Spanish-American War, the call was sent out across the still relatively new nation for troops.

Twenty-one riflemen, cowboys in their real lives, were sent from the territory of New Mexico and this contingent became the infamous Rough Riders who successfully led the charge up San Juan Hill. Teddy Roosevelt was the Colonel of that brigade.

In 1899 the Rough Riders held their first reunion at the “Belle of the Southwest”, the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and Roosevelt attended.

Another favorite destination for Theodore Roosevelt was the Historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, calling it the Western White House in 1905. This elegant neo-Italiate structure overlooks the Colorado River and the world’s largest natural mineral hot springs pool, and was conveniently on a major railroad line.

Roosevelt was an avid outdoorsman, and as President he began the national preservation of wild lands by designating national forests, bird sanctuaries and national monuments. In 1905, the Hotel Colorado became home to the President of the United States and his assistants for a three-week bear hunt.

According to legend, the teddy bear was created at the Hotel Colorado for Mr. Roosevelt after a day of unsuccessful bear hunting.

The maids pieced together a toy bear out of cloth and presented it to him, and the rest is history.

Theodore Roosevelt made many trips West, and over the course of his relatively short life he enjoyed stays at other Historic Hotels of the Rockies besides the Plaza and the Hotel Colorado. He was a guest at several Wyoming properties including The Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, the Irma Hotel in Cody, and also at the Nagle Warren Mansion in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Roosevelt’s successor as President of the United States, William Howard Taft, also believed it essential to travel around the country, and during his tenure he visited the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs and the Nagle Warren Mansion in Cheyenne.

The Historic Hotel with the most Presidents registered is the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota.

After the completion of Mount Rushmore, this first-class accommodation hosted Calvin Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.

All members of the Historic Hotels of the Rockies are proud of their many years of registered guests, whether famous or infamous, and each hotel staff will have tales to relate about how different visitors left their mark. More information and individual hotel websites are available at www.Historic-Hotels.com

About Historic Hotels of the Rockies

An eclectic collection of vintage properties, the Historic Hotels of the Rockies resurrect the glory days of the late 1800′s and early 1900′s.

For detailed information on each hotel or a press kit go to www.historic-hotels.com

The islands of the Snake River between Swan Falls Dam and Brownlee Reservoir provide some excellent wildlife habitat and associated hunting opportunity.

But each island may have some slightly different rules that apply to public use because of the mix of ownership and location that affect jurisdictional issues.

When hunting on the islands, it is essential to know where you are and who owns or manages the island. Most islands are named on U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps, and adjacent county assessor offices can help determine ownership when the land is not posted.

Hunting seasons, shooting hours, bag limits and possession limits for game are determined by the respective state of Idaho or Oregon when both banks of the river are in the same state.

On islands in the section of the Snake River that form the boundary between Idaho and Oregon, hunters must have a valid license for either Idaho or Oregon and observe the respective laws and rules of the respective state for which they hold a license.

But hunters with licenses from both states may not exercise the privileges of both licenses at the same time.

The easiest islands to identify are ones managed as part of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Each of the 101 islands managed by the wildlife refuge in this 113-mile stretch of river is posted with the familiar “blue goose” signs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Duck, goose, coot, upland game and mourning dove hunters on refuge property are required to use nontoxic shot and may not possess lead shot in the field. Permanent blinds are prohibited, but portable blinds are allowed if they are removed at the end of each day.

Temporary blinds may be constructed from natural vegetation less than three inches in diameter and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Private islands are frequently identified by “no trespassing” signs, though that is not always the case. Hunters need to show the same respect for these island properties as they would on other private land.

If the land is cultivated, fenced, posted or connected to the mainland by a bridge, it is likely private, and the landowner’s permission is required to be there. If in doubt, pick another island to hunt.

A common point of conflict between hunters and landowners is determining the boundary between public and private land.

The beds of navigable rivers are owned by the state, so exposed river bed below the mean high water line is public land. But identifying this boundary is a specialized area of study among land managers, surveyors, hydrologists, botanists and lawyers that is beyond the expertise of most people.

Unless hunting from a boat, it is better just to avoid private islands unless the hunter has landowner permission to hunt there.
Some Snake River islands are owned and managed by state wildlife agencies.

For example, Idaho Fish and Game manages Gold Island as part of Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area and manages Little Banks Island near the mouth of the Payette River as part of the Payette River Wildlife Management Area.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages Patch and Porters Islands downstream of Weiser. Hunting these islands falls under the boundary waters agreement, but special rules may be listed in respective state game rules.

The Snake River islands also present some great wildlife viewing opportunities. Because of their isolation, many nesting birds seek these islands out for protection from ground-based predators. Waterfowl and shorebirds commonly nest there in the spring. Numerous songbirds can be seen in the shoreline willows and other vegetation.

Most publicly-owned islands are closed to human access from February 1 through July 31 for the nesting season, although they can be easily viewed from the river bank with a good pair of binoculars.

The islands of the Snake River provide a way to enjoy wildlife in a unique setting. Please respect property ownership and know the rules.

This is the start of a new era in polar expedition cruising: the Dutch-flagged, expedition vessel “Plancius,” operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is finally ready to set sail to Antarctica this season.

“Plancius” is now freshly painted and alongside the dock in the Netherlands. While the ship is waiting for final sea trials, a team of builders is giving the final touch to the interior of the vessel.

The crew will board end of October and bring life to the ship. Departure from the Netherlands is scheduled for early December in order to carry out the first Antarctic voyage on January 8, 2010.

Oceanwide Expeditions offers the free use of boots aboard the ship. Also, outdoor wind and waterproof North Face® expedition jackets can be ordered and bought for a discounted price prior to departure and will be given to the passengers on board the vessel.

Plancius is a base camp for various activities such as scuba diving; kayaking; near-shore, field camping; and active hiking trips with snowshoes.

Detailed information can be found on Oceanwide Expeditions website or can be requested per email.

SETTING NEW STANDARDS IN EXPEDITION CRUISING

“Plancius” will set new standards to the world of expedition cruising: spacious yet small ship character; comfort and style; modern technology and safety appliances; and a base camp for active, adventurous, and wildlife-minded modern explorers!

“Plancius” was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman.”

The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was finally purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was completely rebuilt and converted to a 110-passenger vessel, which complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea) and is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London. The ship sails under the Dutch flag.

It’s a small ship operation: “Plancius” can accommodate 110 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 triple private cabins, 39 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters), and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters).

All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed), except for the 4 triple cabins (bunk beds and 1 lower bed).

The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. “Plancius” has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 3), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on starboard side that guarantee a swift zodiac operation.

“Plancius” is comfortable and nicely decorated, but the ship is not a luxurious vessel. It’s made for explorers! Voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are and will still be primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel will fully meet our demands to achieve this.

The vessel measures 89 meters in length (267 feet), has a breadth of 145 meters (475 feet) and a draft of 48 meters (157 feet) and is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system, which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably.

The 3 diesel engines generate 1,230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10-12 knots.

The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.

“Plancius” is manned by 17 nautical crew, 18 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman, and 10 stewards/cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers), and 1 doctor.

“Plancius” was named after the Dutch astronomer, cartographer, geologist, and vicar Petrus Plancius (1552 – 1622). Petrus Plancius theorized the existence of an accessible northern passage to Asia and his theory encouraged several northern discovery voyages at the end of the 16th century. A dutch expedition under the command Willem Brantsz discovered Spitsbergen, but got stuck in the pack ice of Novaya Semlya (now Russian territory). Those discoveries gave rise of the 17th century whaling industry in Spitsbergen.

“Plancius” is furthermore a homage to the predecessor of Oceanwide Expeditions (Plancius Foundation, 1981-1996), the first cruise operator on a yearly base in Spitsbergen, offering voyages with a small cruise vessel named Plancius. It certainly means “the return of Plancius.” Oceanwide continued with the activities of the Plancius Foundation in 1996.

Check our image gallery for real photos of the cabins and the comfortable lounge with stunning panoramic views, check all pictures at www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/pagina/Contact

New collaboration gives independent U.S. hotels one voice with one ethos:
“Authentic in Spirit, Distinctive in Style”

Seven independent and iconic U.S. properties announce the launch of Kindred Resorts & Hotels, a newly-formed collaboration dedicated to giving independent hotels one voice in a cluttered hospitality marketplace with the ethos: “Authentic in Spirit, Distinctive in Style.”

The charter member properties of Kindred Resorts & Hotels include:

The Breakers – Palm Beach, Florida
The Carneros Inn – Napa, California
Colonial Williamsburg Resort Collection – Williamsburg, Virginia
Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island, Michigan
The Lodge at Torrey Pines – La Jolla, California
Ocean Reef Club – Key Largo, Florida
Saddlebrook Resort – Tampa, Florida

At a time when hotels across the country are confronting the challenges of ownership and management changes as well as high staff turnover, the independent Kindred properties remain solid organizations run by dedicated and highly motivated staff.

Many are steeped in rich family traditions and legacies, and each embrace their own signature traits while joining together in the promise of quality service to travelers that has endured through good times and bad.

The aspiration of Kindred Resorts & Hotels is to provide a single voice for the independent true hotelier to promote the consistency in bespoke service and vibrant legacies offered by these iconic U.S. properties. In the changing hospitality landscape, the new alliance offers independent hotels the opportunity to pool resources and collaborate on sales and marketing initiatives by serving as a one-stop shop for travelers looking for the authentic experiences offered by these hotels.

Steve Pelzer, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for The Lodge at Torrey Pines and the newly appointed spokesman for Kindred Resorts & Hotels, said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Kindred Resorts & Hotels.

The Kindred properties represent best-in-class
hotels offering authentic experiences and a sense of place unique to their own destinations.

Furthermore, these industry leaders also have long-term management teams securely in place; this peace of mind is priceless for our loyal guests and dedicated staff. We look forward to finally giving independent hotels a cohesive voice with Kindred Resorts & Hotels.”

The charter members came together first as an ad-hoc group of autonomous non-branded luxury hotels and resorts to combine complementary marketing, sales and public relations resources.

They hired topnotch hospitality branding company Dana Communications to research and conceptualize how best to synergize efforts and goals. A new logo and website kicks off the initial phase.

The new website www.staykindred.com will serve as a one-stop shop for a variety of travel alternatives, from La Jolla and Palm Beach to Napa and Williamsburg, as well as a portal for all the resorts to showcase new and exciting initiatives. Future initiatives include consumer promotions, travel agent incentives, and other offerings.

For more information on Kindred Resorts & Hotels, please visit www.staykindred.com