Jetsettersblog

Now everyone can look good & feel great while escaping to a sustainable kiwi summer in style!

New Zealand Luxury represents a wide selection of world famous luxury lodges, five star hotels and exclusive private villas. It also offers an enviable range of elite travel services from personal chauffeurs to scenic helicopter tours, plus the country’s finest private jets & leading private charter vessel. See http://www.newzealandluxury.com  for a list of members.

New Zealand Luxury and iconic kiwi fashion label Untouched World™ have joined forces this 2009/10 summer to offer those visiting New Zealand a very unique proposition.

Together they are ‘Fashioning a New Future’ in luxury travel by offering an exceptional purchase reward deal while also helping interested travelers to protect the future of our precious planet at no additional cost.

Every consumer purchase of NZ$1000 or more made direct with participating New Zealand Luxury members (or via their group website) qualifies for a substantial gift of organic fashion from Untouched World™. A special donation will also be made to the Untouched World Charitable Trust who’s projects focus on sustainable development and education.

Over a decade ago before sustainability became popular, Untouched World started to research and develop their own charitable trust based in New Zealand.

The trust was set up to find practical ways to make a real difference in saving our precious planet while also involving and inspiring our young leaders to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Untouched World produces a stunning range of men’s and women’s organic fashion clothing using mainly natural fibers and ethical processes.

For example their luxury fabrics like Organic Mountainsilk™ is a fine machine washable merino wool that is both sustainable and high performance. To learn more just visit their website

http://www.untouchedworld.com

This exciting new promotion officially kicks off on November 2nd 2009 for just 7 weeks.

It applies to all qualifying travel completed during the 2009/10 New Zealand summer when special peak season deals are usually very hard to come by.

The bigger the purchase, the better the gift of clothing travelers will receive and the larger donation will be made to help the environment.

For example NZ$5000 spent across a range of New Zealand Luxury members would earn NZ$750 worth of Untouched World clothing while a substantial donation of NZ$250 would also be made to the Untouched World Charitable Trust.

Full details of rewards, donations and conditions are on the New Zealand Luxury website.

Travelers can choose the qualifying travel products they wish to book as well as what Untouched World clothing they would most like to receive.

Untouched World™ has become world famous around the globe for not only its ethical clothing but also its pioneering environmental efforts. Famous movie stars and even world leaders have been spotted wearing their unique garments.

The UN have also honored Untouched World™ as “the first fashion company in the world to be recognized by the United Nations for sustainability”. A fantastic accolade indeed!

Today Untouched World’s sustainability story gets even stronger with a wide range of unique projects designed to educate and involve our youth to make the world we live in better place for all. For those traveling in New Zealand they can see first hand the good work of their trust while also learning more about it online.

So now we can all look good and feel great about a luxury vacation in New Zealand this summer while also making a real contribution to fashion a positive new future for our precious planet.

Kiwi Experience, the home-grown New Zealand company that pioneered hop-on, hop-off bus adventures, celebrates 20 years on the road this month and is looking for a legend to be the life and soul of the party.

The adventure travel specialist is running an online competition where one lucky traveller and a mate will win flights to New Zealand, a 20 day ‘Funky Chicken’ trip and 20 of Kiwi Experience’s favourite experiences. All entrants need to do is tell Kiwi Experience why they’re a legend via video or photo and text post on www.kiwiexperience.com

Would-be legends can increase their chances of taking out the prize by encouraging family and friends to vouch for their legendary status on the Kiwi Experience website.

So get forwarding your entry via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and email, or jump onto to www.KiwiExperience.com  to post a message in support of your favourite legend.

Kiwi Experience Marketing Manager Tara Baskerville says:

“We wanted to mark this milestone with an awesome competition that reflects Kiwi Experience’s fun, adventurous personality and, at the same time, give someone the opportunity to win an amazing trip around New Zealand – on us.”

“We’re celebrating two decades as legends of the road… now all people need to do is tell us why they’re also a legend to be in to win the trip of a lifetime.”

Kiwi Experience estimates more than 400,000 people have experienced New Zealand its way since the first bus set off in 1989. Since then it’s won numerous tourism awards, survived a few of Peter Jackson films and an onslaught or two from the British Lions and the Barmy Army.

The Kiwi Experience team has grown significantly to keep up with the demand but has retained the original vision of giving each and every traveller a mind-blowing experience while in New Zealand, Ms Baskerville says.

“The range of travel passes has also evolved and grown to 20 over time to ensure Kiwi Experience continues to reach the best parts of the country – the must-see New Zealand icons, the best beaches, the hidden gems off the beaten track – while immersing travellers in New Zealand culture. In the past year, we’ve added the surfing mecca of Raglan to the route with great success.”

Since Kiwi Experience first hit the road, the Driver Guides have been the heart and soul of the operation.

“We choose our drivers for their personalities, as well as their skills.

They’re Kiwi characters from all walks of life who do everything from booking accommodation and activities, to providing travel advice and manoeuvring the big green buses around New Zealand,” says Ms Baskerville.

In this, their 20th year, Kiwi Experience has relaunched its website with a community section and interactive map so people planning their visit can go online and get helpful real-time tips from the Kiwi Experience team and the travellers that have gone before them.

In addition to the 20th Birthday competition Kiwi Experience is offering 25% discounts on some of its most popular trips – Funky Chicken, Back Paddock and East As.

The 20 day Funky Chicken takes in the major sights of both North and South Islands, including the iconic Waitomo Glowworm Caves, white water rafting, glaciers and Queenstown.

Back Paddock is an eight day pass which takes in the top sights of the South Island, starting and finishing in Christchurch, while East As showcases the unique experience of the East Cape and Rotorua over four days.

More details are available on the website www.kiwiexperience.com

The new Sydney Harbour YHA in The Rocks will offer quality budget accommodation in an outstanding harbour side location, when it opens on Wednesday October 28th, 2009.

With overnight accommodation priced from just $42.00 per night in 6 bed shared room ($37.50 for YHA members), budget travellers can stay in the heart of Sydney’s premier tourist precinct and enjoy its many attractions and stunning Sydney Harbour views.

“Sydney Harbour YHA makes quality accommodation in Sydney’s highly sought after The Rocks precinct available to everyone.

The variety of room types ensures it is perfect for couples, families and groups travelling on a budget,” said Ross Lardner, Manager, Sydney Harbour YHA.

“Communal recreation, dining and lounge areas encourage guests to mingle and share stories from their travels which creates the strong sense of an international community that YHAs around the world are known for,” Mr Lardner said.

Sydney Harbour YHA will offer twin, double, family and shared 4-6 bed rooms, all with an en-suite bathroom, while some rooms and the expansive rooftop terrace boast Opera House views.

Facilities include self-catering kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities, a state-of-the-art Internet cafe, coffee bar, lockers, bicycle storage, lounge, tour booking desk and convenience store. Individual lockable cupboards include a power point for charging a phone, IPOD, camera or laptop.

The Rocks’ offers museums, restaurants and great shopping. Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, BridgeClimb and the Museum of Contemporary Art are within walking distance.

Sydney Harbour YHA is situated on the remnants of some of Australia’s earliest European settlement. The remains of houses, pubs and laneways as well as thousands of household artefacts dating back to the First Fleet were uncovered during archaeological digs and have been incorporated into its design.

Standard rates are from $42.00 per person, per night in a 6 bed share room or from $159.00 per room (harbour view), per night for a double/twin room. YHA members save at least 10%.

Bookings for Sydney Harbour YHA and all other YHA hostels in Australia can be made at www.yha.com.au

Sydney Harbour YHA is located at 110 Cumberland St, The Rocks and is a 5 minute walk from Circular Quay train station. A shuttle bus operates between Sydney Airport and Sydney Harbour YHA.

Sydney Harbour YHA is the ninth Sydney property for YHA which also operates three beach YHAs, two remote bush lodges, a cosy hostel in Glebe and two award-winning properties in central Sydney.

For more information visit www.yha.com.au

The Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH) has appointed luxury hotel group, The Rocco Forte Collection, to manage The Shepheard Hotel in Cairo as a five-star hotel within their renowned brand after assisting in the full renovation of the hotel.

The hotel is owned by EGOTH, a subsidiary of The Holding Company for Tourism, Hotels and Cinema, HOTAC, one of the region’s largest hotel-owning companies that already works with several other leading hotel brands.

The company’s plans are in place to convert the 279-room Shepheard Hotel, strategically located along the famous Nile River in the heart of bustling downtown Cairo, to a full-fledged Rocco Forte Collection Hotel after an extensive renovation period

The Shepheard Hotel was founded by an Englishman called Samuel Shepheard Hotel in 1841 and became the leading hotel in Cairo for much of the twentieth Century.

The original hotel was destroyed by fire twice, in 1891 and 1952, and then rebuilt on the banks of the Nile in 1957 where it remains operating today.

The Rocco Forte Collection team will take on temporary management of The Shepheard Hotel as of November 2009, running it outside of its main brand. The hotel will then close for total refurbishment and renovations.

EGOTH and The Rocco Forte Collection will start work immediately on plans to restore and renovate The Shepheard to its former glory and make it once again one of the best luxury hotels in the region. George Freeman and Associates of London have been appointed as the interior designers for the project and British company 3D Reid for architecture.

The refurbished Shepheard will emerge as a luxury hotel within The Rocco Forte Collection brand in early 2012 offering 275 large elegant bedrooms, state-of-the-art facilities, outstanding design and the latest technology complemented by the highest standards of service and attention to detail.

Aly Abdel Aziz, Chairman of the Holding Company for Tourism, Hotels and Cinema HOTAC said “The Rocco Forte Collection is one of the great hotel groups in the world and I am delighted that Sir Rocco and his team, will be helping us to refurbish and operate The Shepheard Hotel. They have a strong luxury hotel brand and it is perhaps appropriate that a hotel founded by an Englishman in the nineteenth century should once again be under English management in the twenty-first century.

“The presence of The Rocco Forte Collection in the heart of the city, paralleled with the extensive efforts to upgrade and improve the entire infrastructure of the industry is an affirmation of our serious commitment to attract new development projects and improve the entire investment environment in Egypt.

We are all looking forward to transforming The Shepheard Hotel into a luxury hotel of which Cairo, and Egypt, can be proud and to adding The Rocco Forte Collection to the list of leading international management companies with which we work.”

General Nabil Selim, Chairman of EGOTH, said: “The Shepheard has occupied a special role in the life of Cairo and I am very pleased that we are today announcing a new partnership to help us make it a luxury hotel of which Egypt can be very proud.

The Rocco Forte Collection has emerged as the winner of a very competitive competition. We have chosen the company because of its commitment to the Middle East; the ability of its brand to deliver global sales and marketing benefits while still retaining the individuality of this very special hotel; and because of its focus on producing a good return for hotel owners.

We will commence the renovation program of the 275 room hotel in December 2010 to finish end of 2012″

Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rocco Forte and Family Plc said:

“This management contract is very important to our company. It is the fourth we have won in the Middle East and North Africa since we announced in 2007 our intention to build on our existing base in Europe. Any company serious about this region needs to be represented in Cairo and we have secured one of the very best locations in the city.

“We have built a strong luxury brand over the last decade and will work only with partners committed to making premium profits through outstanding service delivery. EGOTH is a very experienced and successful hotel-owning company which shares that vision for The Shepheard and we are delighted to be working with their team and that of their parent company, HOTAC.”

The Rocco Forte Collection’s recent win of the management contract for the historic Shepheard Hotel in Egypt builds on the hotel brand’s expansion plans in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

With a foothold now in Cairo, the Rocco Forte Collection has established its presence in the some of the region’s most significant markets including the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Morocco through its partnership with Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO). The Rocco Forte Collection is due to open hotels in Abu Dhabi and Jeddah in 2010 and a resort in Marrakech in 2011.

Dubai, UAE – The world’s largest and fastest growing major international airport terminal will mark its first anniversary on October 14 in true Dubai-style with special discount offers from Dubai Duty Free, give-aways and contests celebrating 12 months of seamless operations and double-digit traffic growth.

The festivities are part of a three-day birthday celebration that will involve thousands of passengers and aviation staff.

Dubai International Emirates Terminal 3 first opened its doors on October 14, 2008 for the exclusive use of Emirates Airline. The airport was opened in four phases to ensure a smooth operational transition and the convenience and comfort of customers. Some 8,000 volunteers were involved in operational trials conducted to test processes and equipment.

It was a strategy that resulted in a glitch-free opening, garnered international praise and led to several awards.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman of Dubai Airports said:

“The growth and development of Dubai city and its airport are closely linked. Emirates Terminal 3 has played a central role in supporting Dubai’s economic progress, and has bolstered the city’s image as an emerging global aviation hub. It is something the aviation community, the city and the Emirate can be proud of.”

“Emirates Terminal 3’s unmitigated success has given it iconic status in the industry.

It has clearly become a symbol of Dubai’s aviation success story,” added Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports. “The next phase of its development, Concourse 3, will build on that reputation by offering the world’s first dedicated A380 airside facility when it is completed at the end of 2012.”

During its first year of operations, Emirates Terminal 3 has handled more than 96,000 flight departures and arrivals and over 16.1 million passengers, 1.32 million of who have enjoyed the variety of facilities available through Marhaba services and Emirates First and Business Class Lounges. More than 18.7 million pieces of luggage have been processed by the baggage system, which is one of the longest and deepest of underground systems in the world.

Not only is Emirates Terminal 3 an operational marvel, it is a visual feast. Emirates Terminal 3 was designed by world-renowned French architect Paul Andreu.

Its elegantly curved steel and glass façade and its bright interiors have set new standards in airport design.

Terminal 3 was also designed for optimum travelling comfort. The underground terminal is located beneath the taxiways and aprons effectively bringing it closer to the boarding gates.

The terminal is the world’s largest yet its unique design coupled with state-of-the-art people transportation solutions such as travelators effectively shorten the distance from kerbside to the aircraft. The recent opening of the Emirates Terminal 3 Metro station also makes it more easily accessible from the city.

“Terminal 3 has become an intrinsic part of Emirates’ operations.

As an international airline connecting passengers from six continents, a significant part of the travel experience we offer our customers is the journey through our hub in Dubai. Emirates Terminal 3′s opening provided much-needed space for our growing operations.

It also meant that we could expand and enhance our Airport Services and lounge product.

The feedback from our customers on Emirates Terminal 3 has been tremendously positive,” said Mohammed Mattar, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Airport Services.

“We are proud to contribute to the ongoing success of Emirates Terminal 3 which is not only our home and hub, but also a testament to Dubai’s progressive approach to development and hospitality. We are working in close collaboration with Dubai Airports and look forward to making our customers’ journey through Dubai even more enjoyable in the future.”

The retail experience at the terminal is also garnering international recognition. Dubai Duty Free, which operates 8,000 square metres of retail space in Terminal 3, has noted that 55% of its total business is derived from T3 passengers. The operation, which reported sales of US$1.1 billion in 2008 making it the largest single duty free operation in the world, is expecting to end this year with a 4% increase in sales.

“We are delighted with the duty free operation in Terminal 3 as it has added a whole new dimension to our retail offer at Dubai International.

The feedback from our customers has been very positive over the past year and we will continue to look at ways to enhance the overall retail experience,” said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free.

Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau
CONTACT: Heather Miller
TEL: 970-568-7423
E-MAIL: heather@atmstravelnews.com
WEB: www.visitftcollins.com

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Legend has it that in the early 1800s, French-Canadian fur traders were caught by a tremendous snowstorm.

To lighten their load, they buried large amounts of gunpowder (“poudre” in French) in a hiding place (“cache”) along the banks of a river – the Cache la Poudre River, which runs through modern-day Fort Collins.

Today, the river serves a different purpose—recreation. With opportunities for scenic driving, camping, fishing, rafting and more, it is an outstanding attraction for residents and visitors.

The Cache la Poudre is Colorado’s first National Wild and Scenic River. The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The area is also home to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests providing some of most beautiful scenery Colorado has to offer.

The Poudre River Canyon, about 30 minutes from Fort Collins, is the hub of activity.

Here, fly fishermen try their luck with the river’s trout populations as rafts float the rapids past campgrounds and trail heads. The canyon is the Disneyland for the outdoor enthusiasts.

The fish that lure anglers to the river are rainbow and brown trout. The average 9-12 inches with a few over 16 inches.

The Poudre is a freestone stream that stretches no more than 40 feet across at its widest point.

River flows range from a high of 800 CFS during peak runoff in May and June, to and average summer flow of 300 CFS.

The Poudre has most water types for fishing. You’ll find riffles, runs, pools and flats. Most fisherman practice catch & release,

The canyon is also the starting point for whitewater rafting and kayak trips from early May to around Labor Day.

On hot summer days, it’s not unlikely to see folks head up to the canyon and “tube” — using the black inner tubes from tires — from spot to spot.

The preferred overnight accommodations are campgrounds and they are abundant.

Many sites overlook the river so campers are lulled to sleep by the sound of rushing water.

Campgrounds are a mix of first-come, first-serve and reservations accepted.

Don’t forget your hiking poles and mountain bike because there are a number of world-class trails surrounding the river.

Grey Rock, three-mile long moderate difficult trail and Hewlett Gulch, also three miles but easier, are two popular trails.

For those looking for a soft adventure, a trip along the Cache La Poudre/North Park Scenic Bywayis a great way to spend the day.

The byway starts in Fort Collins and takes motorists through Roosevelt National Forest, and then follows the Poudre River through Poudre Canyon up to Cameron Pass and down to North Park.

The road is 101 miles long and takes about 3 hours to travel.

Sofitel signed a management contract with Carrasco Nobile S/A, a consortium managed by the Spanish group Codere, to manage the Casino Carrasco Hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The brand will give the symbolic building in the Uruguayan capital a new lease on life to transform it into the region’s luxury address.

The restoration and construction work in preparation for the hotel’s reopening will take 27 months, with an opening scheduled for 2011.

Located 30 minutes from the international airport, the historical building enjoys a privileged location facing the beach.

With a location near the La Plata River, one of the city’s most prized settings, Montevideo is close to Buenos Aires (30 minutes by plane) and Brazil (two-hour flight from Sao Paulo).

The future Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa will offer 116 rooms, a lobby bar, a 450-seat conference center, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and fitness center.

It will also be the brand’s first hotel in the region with a casino. This address will also offer a French gastronomic restaurant named the 1921, which refers to the date the hotel was founded. The address will also offer the new exclusive So Spa by Sofitel concept, a modern 515-square-meter space for well-being and beauty. The Casino Carrasco Hotel was designed in 1912.

After construction came to a standstill because of World War I, the Chamber continued the construction process, which was finished in 1921.

This majestic building, surrounded by gardens and Carrara marble sculptures, soon became the place to be for high society.

From a construction point of view, the hotel reflects an era that accorded a major place to symbolic values, combining diverse architectural styles, all in a very avant-garde spirit.

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Wyndham Hotel Group is continuing its expansion in the Middle East with the signing of agreements for the Wyndham Riyadh hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the Ramada Encore Doha hotel in Doha, Qatar, both firsts in the Middle East for the company.

This month, Wyndham Hotel Group also signed an agreement for the development of the 700-room Ramada Plaza Makkah hotel, the brand’s third property in the Holy City, and it opened the Ramada Downtown Burj Dubai hotel which overlooks the Burj Boulevard within the Burj Residences neighborhood.

The 210-room, 15-story upscale Wyndham hotel will be developed by Rayada Investment Company in Riyadh and will be part of the prestigious King Abdullah Financial District. It is expected to open during the third quarter of 2011. The Wyndham Riyadh-King Abdullah Financial District property will feature the first Blue Harmony Spa and Fitness Experience in the Middle East as well as 11 meeting rooms, four restaurants, four lounges, an outdoor pool, beauty salon and business center.

The project will be constructed to energy-saving and environmental standards specified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, more commonly known as LEED.

The 110-room Doha hotel, which will be Wyndham Hotel Group’s first Ramada Encore hotel in the region, is expected to open in the second quarter of 2010.

The contemporary, value-conscious property will be located on Ahmad Bin Mohamad Bin Thani Road in the Al-Asmakh area in Doha and is the company’s first managed Ramada Encore hotel.

Ramada Encore properties are stylish, mid-scale hotels located throughout Europe and Asia, and now, in the Middle East with the addition of the Ramada Encore Doha hotel.

For more information, visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com