Jetsettersblog

An A-Z of a few things we offer here at MSL Mountaineering, from adventurous getaways for kids to mountaineering expeditions across the globe, and from adventure-based fundraising to gorilla treks in Uganda.

Abseil just for fun or to raise money for a charity
Abseils can be organised off high places and structures from supermarkets to bridges, cliffs to towers. MSL organised the very first abseil off the Alton Towers tower with radio DJ Perry Spiller.

Bouncy castle boxing

MSL Mountaineering can set up and run a bouncy castle style boxing ring complete with oversize boxing gloves and headgear for an event or party. From £125, bungee run and sumo wrestling also available.

Charity and responsible travel

MSL Mountaineering’s social action project, www.GMI-UK.org , helps rebuild communities in war-damaged Uganda. You can visit the school they are building and offer hands on help – perhaps decorating a school room or digging a well – on a Voluntourism trip.

Development for staff, management or personal improvement
MSL Mountaineering offer fun but meaningful team building, management/leadership development, personal development and professional development courses. Clients include DHL.

Everest Base Camp

Follow the footsteps of Hillary and Tenzing up the greatest mountain in the world (16 days)!

Fundraising for charities the fun way

MSL Mountaineering can provide alternative ways for you or your organisation to raise funds for charities through adventure based activities and expeditions.

Gorilla Treks in Uganda

Trek through the Inpenetrable Forest to see the gorillas in Uganda! Clients can combine treks with a safari or mountain climb.

High mountain skills courses in Snowdonia

On a weekend-long summer mountain skills course, learn about wilderness navigation, camp craft, cooking, weather and equipment, and put it into practice with two nights wild camping in Snowdonia.

Inca Trail treks

Enjoy a once in a lifetime 10-day expedition to trek the Inca Trail in Peru.

Jump

Add some spice to a product launch with a visual stunt such as a base jump.

Kilimanjaro climbs

A 7-day expedition to climb Africa’s highest mountain.

Life changing experiences

MSL Mountaineering can tailor-make life-changing experiences and holidays, from rock climbing experience days to once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Everest.

Marketing stunts

MSL can help organisations launch new products, events or just get attention through visual stunts such as base jumping, abseils, parachuting…

Navigation in the wilderness weekends

Learn the art of navigation so you can find your way around in the wilderness using map and compass. MSL Mountaineering also incorporate night navigation skills and or bad weather navigation.

Off-roading, paragliding, base jumping, abseiling
MSL Mountaineering can help organisations launch new products or events, or simply get attention with cool stunts.

Questions?

For general enquiries please contact Rachael@msl-mountaineering.com

Ridge and gully scrambling weekends

Two days in Snowdonia, scrambling some of the classic routes in the mountains. Suitable for those with existing hill-walking experience looking for a challenge.

Snowlake expeditions

24-day expeditions to Snow Lake in Pakistan. One of the longest Glacial Treks in the world, and a route rarely undertaken.

Training

From outdoor skills courses to corporate development – MSL Mountaineering help people achieve their potential, using the outdoors as a training and playground.

Uganda

MSL Mountaineering specialise in treks and holidays in Uganda. See gorillas, climb Murchison Falls, visit our social action project that is currently building a school in Gulu and more. Visit www.trekuganda.org.

VDiff

If you rock climb VDiff level routes and want to progress your skills, why not enjoy an intro to sea cliff climbing course? Pembrokeshire and Gogarth offer superb sea cliff crags with the sea crashing below.

Winter Walking

Climb some classic Munros in winter conditions by classic routes with an expert guide, and learn winter walking skills.

Expeditions

From Everest to Kilimanjaro, Snow Lake to Aconcagua, MSL Mountaineering organise worldwide expeditions.

Youth

MSL Mountaineering can organise school and youth group courses to suit any clients’ needs. These can be multi-activity, perhaps including archery, hill-walking and rock climbing.

Zip lines

MSL Mountaineering can assemble a zip line pretty much anywhere: great for fundraising events.

Further information: www.msl-mountaineering.com, www.trekuganda.org , www.gmi-uk.org

Paradizo.com has partnered with the top rental agencies offering villa rentals around the world, from beachfront villas with access to a beach to villas with a pool in the living room.

According to many industry insiders, the vacation rental market is on the rise.

Lodging industry expert Glenn Haussman recently reported on the “explosive growth” of vacation rentals in recent years.

 Properties are still available for guests seeking a 2010 summer holiday. The popular summer months are booking fast for 2010, with 25 percent of properties already booked-up for next summer.

Group bookings are on the rise for holiday homes large enough to share a vacation with family and friends.

Many vacation rental properties offer prices that, when divided among a group of 10 or 12, can cost less than or equal to a traditional hotel room.

More often than not, luxury villa rentals also come with five-star services like a private chef, concierge or guest manager.

www.Paradizo.com is a new online resource for luxury vacations. Itsmain objective is to provide travelers with the tools necessary to create memorable and personalized luxury vacation experiences.

It provides high quality services: villa rentals, private islands, yacht and jet charters, concierge services and other luxury travel collections.

For more information, visit www.paradizo.com

It’s not just about looking the part on the slopes, but choosing the right place to hang-out and party, and perhaps sleep – but in very small bursts of course. Forget sharing a chalet with a bunch of stuffy old-timers, politely exchanging views about the merits of a good education, and swap this for like-minded boarders who marvel at the size of their bruises and sing the praises of red-bull. Travel search engine www.nowfly.co.uk  has picked out some great chalets that provide all that’s required to create a heady mixture of fun and fear. The below are edited versions, but for full details click:

http://www.nowfly.co.uk/ZipIt/60-top-ski-chalets-for-snowboarders.aspx

Chalet Christophe, Mozine, France

Looking for über-cool ski accommodation in the Alps that’s far removed from the traditional and comfortable, but ever-so-dull style of chalet? Chalet Christophe is the flagship chalet and sets the standard for rudechalets™ Morzine Accommodation. The original retro crafted “Mini” (the only one of its kind in the Alps) has become a store for a large selection of chalet games. If you fancy a break from the slopes you can chill out with a drink on the wooden terrace, which captures the alpine rays throughout the day or jump into the hot-tub with a glass of wine.

For flights to Chalet Christophe, fly to Geneva:
www.nowfly.co.uk/cheap-flights-to-Geneva.aspx

Chalet Chocolat, Chamonix, France

Chocolat is located in beautiful Chamonix. It’s provided on a self-catered basis and is exceptionally well equipped. The chalet is modern, well located and comes with the latest home entertainment along with a huge 10 person hot tub.

All of the bedrooms have either their own en-suite facilities or their own separate bathroom. The accommodation can be split into various configurations to accommodate party sizes of 4, 6, 8, 10 & 14 people.

For flights to Chalet Chocolat, fly to Geneva:
www.nowfly.co.uk/cheap-flights-to-Geneva.aspx

Riders Palace, Laax, Switzerland

Riders Palace is cool. So cool in fact, that if you don’t board or freestyle ski, you may feel out of place here. Not a chalet, but a hotel that is definitely worth including in our picks.

It’s cleverly designed with exposed concrete, wood and glass, and is filled with designer furniture, flat screens and funky lighting. The hotel accommodates small and large groups, and can even take single guests in separate male and female style dormitories.

The hotel has an awesome bar area and club venue, that’s supported by performances from some of the coolest DJ’s and performers around, including the likes of Dizzee Rascal who appeared here in December 2009.

For flights to Riders Palace, fly to Zurich:
www.nowfly.co.uk/cheap-flights-to-Zurich.aspx

The Farmhouse, Val d’Isère, France

Recently renovated, the Farmhouse has been highly acclaimed and rightly so, it’s a fantastic property.

It has retained much of its original charm, with it’s original stonewalls (a metre thick in places) and timber features. The renovation has been built to a high specification and includes wide-screen television with DVD and digital surround-sound, but also has small but important touches such as heated ski boot rails so you can slip your feet into warm boots in the morning.

For flights to The Farmhouse, fly to Lyon or Geneva:
www.nowfly.co.uk/cheap-flights-to-Lyon.aspx
 www.nowfly.co.uk/cheap-flights-to-Geneva.aspx

Chalel Arosa, Val d’Isère, France

Chalet Arosa is located in a small private hamlet on the secluded sun-drenched knoll of Le Crêt, one of the earliest and most charismatic enclaves of Val d’Isère.

It has a fantastic living area with an impressive mezzanine, and comes with sleep-promoting sofas and a wall-mounted plasma screen. The design of the chalet keeps close to its origins, with weathered oak floors, timber ceilings and marble clad bathrooms. The chalet also comes complete with an amazing hot-tub.

For flights to The Farmhouse, fly to Lyon or Geneva:
www.nowfly.co.uk/cheap-flights-to-Lyon.aspx
www.nowfly.co.uk/cheap-flights-to-Geneva.aspx

Quay Grand Suites Sydney has been named the South Pacific’s Best Luxury Hotel in the Trip Adviser 2010 Travelers’ Choice Awards AND also voted one of the top 5 Luxury Hotels of the World!

The eighth annual competition has been the largest ever, and unlike any other hotel awards program in the world, the winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions on tripadvisor.com.

“Receiving this recognition from our guests demonstrates that Quay Grand has set a new benchmark for a 5-star hotel experience which is truly unique. From the impressive service to the impeccable facilities, this hotel is the epitome of luxury and the flagship property in the Mirvac portfolio,” said General Manager, Paul Donnelly.

Set majestically on the eastern shore of Circular Quay, Quay Grand is an apartment style hotel boasting spectacular views over Sydney Harbour and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

With the choice of 1 and 2 bedroom self contained apartments, guests enjoy the convenience of separate lounge, dining and bedroom, fully equipped gourmet kitchen and integrated laundry, bathroom with spa bath and opening windows.

In Quadrant Restaurant, Executive Chef Ross Barrett serves a distinctive Australian style menu with Mediterranean, Asian and French influences. Or for casual elegance, ECQ Bar is sun-drenched by day and cosmopolitan by night and features a range of creative cocktails, superb wines and casual dining overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Set in the midst of Sydney’s key attractions, Quay Grand is only moments away from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Opera House, and Sydney’s financial district and shopping precincts.

Quay Grand Suites Sydney is the pinnacle of Mirvac quality. The hotel is part of the Mirvac group of over 45 hotels and resorts in Australia and New Zealand, under such well known brands as Quay West Apartments & Resorts, The Como, Sea Temple Resorts & Spas, Sydney Marriott Hotel, The Sebel Hotels & Resorts, Citigate Hotels, Cairns Harbour Lights, Hotel Lindrum, Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney, and of course Quay Grand.

For bookings or further information phone 13 15 15 or visit www.mirvachotels.com/quay-grand-suites-sydney

The latest luxury accommodation on Magnetic Island is Lotus House, an exclusive retreat offering a world of seclusion and pure indulgence.

Only 20 minutes from Townsville, nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and Magnetic Island’s World Heritage National Park, this exquisite beachfront house is the ultimate romantic destination.

Suitable for up to six adults, Lotus House features three spacious bedrooms each with king size beds and ensuites, exotic tropical gardens, an oceanfront temperature controlled swimming pool, air conditioning, spa bath, plasma televisions, fully equipped laundry facilities, and a host of other luxuries. Make the most of the stainless steel kitchen and European appliances by preparing your own meals, or relax and let your very own in-house chef whip up your favourite dishes.

Wander down sand dunes to the beautiful Horseshoe Bay, enjoy absolute privacy as you unwind by the pool, or kick back with gourmet canapés and chilled champagne on the expansive upper deck while you take in spectacular sunsets and uninterrupted ocean views.

With Lotus house also available for wedding receptions, intimate dinner functions, cocktail parties and corporate events, the options are endless with this luxurious and exclusive island retreat.

www.lotusonmagnetic.com

Chi, The Spa — Shangri-La’s signature spa brand — officially opened in Australia at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.

The spa features six private spa suites and offers guests more than 24 treatments based on authentic natural healing methods found in traditional Asian well-being practices.

A spectrum of wellness massages, body therapies, facials and CHI journeys are available to guests, including Chi Balance, Du Mai Back Therapy and CHI Healing Stone Massage. The Sense of Place experiences feature indigenous treatments inspired by Australia’s natural resources such as lemon myrtle and eucalyptus.

With roots set in the Chinese theory of the five elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth to harmonize the body’s energy, the treatment oils used in all therapies are customized to each guest’s element sign, which is expressed by personal preferences in tastes, colors and daily living.

The spa interiors feature a tapestry of Asian crafts, warm woods and specially designed ambient lighting. Each of the six suites is a “spa within a spa,” enabling guests to indulge in the luxury of personal space, their own private changing area and an aroma steam shower before treatments.

Three of the suites, overlooking Sydney harbor, feature infinity edge spa tubs for relaxing soaks. For reservations or more information, call (612) 9250 6000, email chispa.slsn@shangri-la.com  or visit www.shangri-la.com/sydney.

Australia Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson has confirmed AUD 500,000 ($460,000) of government funding for the development of Australia’s Red Centre Way, the country’s first National Landscape.

Over 440,000 visitors visit this region every year to experience Uluru, the Kata Tjuta National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and the Larapinta Trail.

The funding was a 2007 pre-election commitment by the current administration.

For more information, call 212-360-2390 or visit www.nttc.com.au

If you like Elvis you will love Viva ELVIS, the new Cirque de Soleil homage at Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Having seen every Cirque show on the Las Vegas Strip I was a little trepidacious about the plethora of Elvis possibilities. I envisioned flying Elvii, and impersonators dangling from high wires, but happily, I was wrong.

The production has integrity, and intimate Elvis moments are highlighted with extravagant Broadway dance sequences. The Cirque specialty — performers that defy gravity and our imaginations work in concert with the dancers, marrying the best of both worlds.

Read the entire feature with full color photos at this link:

Antigua’s 60-room Sugar Ridge opened an on-site Aveda Concept Spa. The 6,000-square-foot spa occupies the entire ground floor of the Sugar Club.

The guest experience begins with a consultation, whether for a beauty or spa treatment.

The latter are designed individually, based on the Aveda Element Nature customization philosophy.

Visitors can then choose from a full menu of services such as the Fusion Stone Massage, which incorporates warm river stones to relax the muscles and stimulate the circulation, or the Chakra Balancing Massage, focusing on deep tissue massage, foot reflexology and energy work.

Guests can also enjoy a selection of Aveda herbal teas before or after a treatment.

An air-conditioned gym is adjacent to the spa, featuring Cybex fitness equipment, including 24 fitness machines plus 13 for cardiovascular health.

Next-door is an air-conditioned studio for aerobics, Pilates and yoga classes.

Sugar Club also has two pools: an 82-foot long lap pool and a 44-foot pool complete sun bathing areas.

The full service Aveda Concept Spa is open from 9 a.m. daily, except for Sunday. Last appointments are taken at 7 p.m. The Gym is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

For more information, call 866-591-4881, email reservations@sugarridgeantigua.com  or visit www.sugarridgeantigua.com

Wynn Las Vegas has reinvented Wynn LVNV, its residential design store, and will launch the new concept on March 11. The store will feature a selection of objets d’art and luxury home goods, with pieces that include unique items from the Maison et Objet, the largest decorative show in Europe. T

he new space will resemble a home more than a retail space, with each room presenting items shown in vignette collections as they would appear in a home. The foyer gallery will be a center for trunk shows and exhibitions for artists and artisans in the decorative arts, with each month featuring a new artist.

Directly behind the foyer will be the casual living room, displaying things for the casual lifestyle, as well as indoor/outdoor items on the garden porch. Natural materials, rustic artifacts, handmade and exotic crafts will be found in the casual living room.

Shoppers will also be able to select from Wynn’s cabana and pool furnishings. Left of the foyer will be the Wynn guest room, with sleep and bath products that reflect years of research and development in the design of the mattress, pillows, duvets and sheets. A corner of the guest room will be reserved for baby items, including layette linens, as well as clothing for toddlers.

The dining room to the right of the foyer will offer items for entertaining.

Past the dining room will be the formal living room with furnishings found at Wynn Las Vegas and from the Roger Thomas Collection of home furnishings.

For more information, call 877-321-9966

or visit www.wynnlasvegas.com