Jetsettersblog

Won’t Break The Bank

Keeping track of the best last minute skiing bargains is about to get easier this season with the launch of a new ski price index from Teletext Holidays.

The new index, which is designed to help people manage their winter holiday budget and will be updated on a weekly basis, is online at www.teletextholidays.co.uk/skipriceindex

The index makes Teletext Holidays the first company to track not only the typical cost of the ski holiday itself, but also the cost of essential items such as boot hire and lift passes giving a complete picture of the overall cost of a break away, helping snow seekers keep a check on their holiday budget.

To keep the index bang up to date the Teletext Holidays team will be tracking thousands of last minute holiday prices from hundreds of different companies every week.

Bulgaria and Andorra top the index for the lowest ski holiday destinations.

“The ski market is set for a bumpy ride this year,” said Alison Steed, financial expert and editor of mymoneydiva.com: “For anyone who isn’t a die-hard skier, a winter snow sports holiday could be seen as a luxury especially when people are living on a tight budget. But ski holidays don’t have to break the bank.”

“Prices are likely to come down as the season progresses and – because of the recession – we could potentially see much lower ski prices than they have done for years. That makes it the ideal time to get a bargain break.”

“The index is a really useful tool. It’s essentially an online “shop window” to show where the best prices are at a glance.”

Despite the Euro strengthening against the pound this year, there are more deals available in popular resorts European resorts which show great value.

Example prices include:

- Three star self catering in Tignes, France £ 319
- Three star self catering Les Deux Alpes, France £252
- Three star half board, Pas de la Casa, Andorra £283
- Three star half board La Plagne, France £318
- Three star half board Borovets, Bulgaria, £233
- Three star half board Courmayeur, Italy £351

Mark Bloxham, head of marketing, Teletext Holidays, said: “The in-resort extras which go alongside a ski holiday, such as boot hire, lift passes, eating and drinking must be considered alongside the actual cost of the break to get a true picture of the total cost.

“The winter sports market was down last year and it’s likely to be a similar story for the 2009/10 season which means tour operators are likely to stimulate demand by dropping prices. The index will allow people to keep track of the best deals.”

For clever ways to save money on a ski break Teletext Holidays has teamed up with financial expert Alison Steed and her tips are online at www.teletextholidays.co.uk/skipriceindex

French holiday parc specialist Siblu Holidays (www.siblu.com , 0871 911 7777) has launched its own on-parc EuroVoucher currency so families can cast aside worries about exchange rates and holiday costs and fix the value of their holiday spending money at 1.25€ to £1.

EuroVoucher is commission and charge free so families know that every penny they change is going towards their holiday money, rather than to the administration costs of a typical exchange service.

If holidaymakers still have EuroVouchers in their wallet at the end of their break, Siblu will swap back their pounds for no cost and at the same rate of 1.25€ to £1, so customers get their hard earned cash returned in full.

Siblu’s exchange rate smashes the tariffs of traditional online and offline services, which are currently trading at around 1.07€ to £1. EuroVouchers are available in 5€ denominations and can be bought with holidays booked through Siblu in January 2010.

EuroVoucher’s fixed exchange rate guarantees a family changing £200 will receive 250€ of vouchers, compared to around 216€ from the Post Office, Thomas Cook or Travelex and just 205€ for exchanges completed at the airport*.

EuroVouchers can be used in the restaurants, bars, shops and with activities at 11 Siblu parcs across France, in destinations from Normandy to the Cote d’Azur.

Siblu holiday parcs offer the freedom of the great French outdoors within a safe and friendly environment. They mix the thrills and frills of pools and waterslides, kid’s clubs and sports, with a peaceful haven of countryside, croissants and petanque.

To find out more visit www.siblu.com/vouchers  or call 0871 911 7777.

Siblu has owned holiday parcs in France for more than 30 years in a dazzling choice of locations including Brittany, the Vendée, Charente Maritime and Aquitaine.

*Data taken from postoffice.co.uk, travelex.com , thomascook.com  and www.moneycorp.com

Serene Pavilions, a new venture in luxury hospitality located in Wadduwa on Sri Lanka’s west coast, has joined the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand.

Opened at a cost of $US5.5 million in November 2009, Serene Pavilions is a beachside retreat offering 12 lavishly appointed Pavilions with private Butler service set in a seven acre coconut grove facing the Indian Ocean, just a 45-minute drive from Colombo.

According to the Chairman of Serene Pavilions, Clive Leach CBE:

“The hotel offers an ideal Sri Lankan holiday experience for those seeking luxury, seclusion, tranquillity and exceptional service.”

Serene Pavilions Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Anura Lokuhetty, said:

“Becoming a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World will provide Serene Pavilions and Sri Lanka with added worldwide exposure to independent travellers who enjoy highly personalised service, combined with accommodation designed to exacting international standards which also reflects the local history and culture.”

The luxurious Pavilions, each with individual private plunge pools, have been designed with an emphasis on space and tranquillity using Balinese and Sri Lankan influences and architecture.

The 12 pavilions are interlaced with walkways and water features and have spacious decked outside living areas.

Serene Pavilions’ signature centrepiece is The Pavilions’ Restaurant, and The Amritha Bar, which links the garden and pool areas to the beachfront gardens and quiet beach.

Within the gardens there is a large swimming pool with four sunken Jacuzzi beds, and a clay tennis court.

Also available is the Serenity Spa, the well-equipped Asana Gym and a large Reception Lounge with an exclusive Gem Boutique. The Dhaarana Reading Room is home to the library which can also accommodate small meetings or private events.

Paul Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Serene Pavilions into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World family.

“I know that our discerning guests will enjoy the peace and tranquility at the resort – as well as the high levels of privacy. Each hotel applying to become part of SLH undergoes a rigorous inspection and selection process and only five percent of the hotels which apply to join are accepted.

This is testament to the high standards of excellence to be found at Serene Pavilions. It is the perfect complement to Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s properties in Sri Lanka.”

Nominated For World Heritage Status

The Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia has been nominated for World Heritage listing due to the area’s outstanding natural beauty, biological richness and international geological significance.

The Ningaloo Coast is home to a virtually untouched fringing reef stretching 260km on the north-west cape, an area that includes Coral Bay and Exmouth. It is home to more than 500 species of tropical fish and 220 varieties of coral, as well as the largest fish in the world, the whale shark which visits Ningaloo between late March and June each year.

Currently 224,000-hectares of the coast form a protected marine park but if the United Nations agrees to World Heritage listing then more than 700,000 hectares of the oceanic wilderness will get special protection.

WA’s Environment Minister Donna Faragher said, “The reef is part of a marine ecosystem that ranks seventh on the world’s list of coral reef biodiversity ‘hotspots’ and is second in terms of the number of species to be found within a limited range,” she said.

“The Cape Range peninsula is an evolutionary laboratory that emerged from the sea over 26 million years, built from the skeletons of ancient marine creatures.

“The Ningaloo Coast represents the best opportunity in the world to encounter whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, together with globally significant populations of manta rays, dugongs, marine turtles, humpbacks, other cetaceans, rays and sharks.”

The heritage listing could boost tourism to the area, which has enjoyed growth as a destination for snorkellers and divers over the last few years thanks to its diversity of sea life and the opening of eco-luxury camp Sal Salis and the Ningaloo Novotel at Exmouth.

Ningaloo Reef and the adjoining Cape Range National Park currently attract more than 100,000 visitors a year, injecting approximately $127million into the local economy.

“World Heritage listing is the highest global recognition of a site’s importance and if listed, Ningaloo Coast will be recognised with the greatest of the world’s heritage sites such as the Grand Canyon, Egypt’s Pyramids, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Stonehenge,” she said.

Ningaloo Reef differs from Australia’s other famous reef, the Great Barrier Reef, as it is a fringing reef, meaning visitors can snorkel over corals and exotic sea life just metres from the shore.

The nomination will be assessed during the next 18 months. Western Australia already has two World Heritage listed areas, the Shark Bay area most famous for its wild dolphins at Monkey Mia and Purnululu National Park, home to the beehive Bungle Bungle Range.

Visit Ningaloo Reef between late March and June on a 10-day tour which includes domestic flights, three nights in the 5-star Richardson Hotel in Perth, two nights at the luxury Sal Salis and a full day diving with whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef.

Prices start from £2806 per person.

Please contact Audley Travel on 01993838810 to speak to an Australian Specialist who will design a tailor-made trip for you.

For more information on Western Australia please visit www.westernaustralia.com

Amtrak launched its Wi-Fi Internet service, known as AmtrakConnect, aboard all 20 high-speed Acela Express trains in six major stations along the Northeast Corridor, and in all four ClubAcela lounges.

Initially offered as a complimentary service, AmtrakConnect is available to every passenger on board Acela Express both in business and first class seating.

The on-board Wi-Fi system typically outperforms cellular air cards and smart phones.

Using any laptop computer or other portable device that is Wi-Fi enabled, Amtrak passengers traveling on Acela Express between Washington, D.C. and Boston can connect to the service for general web surfing and reading email.

The system also allows passengers to access their corporate networks through most standard Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions, turning the train trip into productive work time.

In addition, Amtrak is launching AmtrakConnect for all Amtrak passengers within the gate areas of Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, Philadelphia 30th Street Station, New York Penn Station, Providence Station and Route 128 Station in Boston. Wilmington Station will be Wi-Fi equipped once major station renovations are completed in early 2011. Wi-Fi service continues to be available in all ClubAcela lounges in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.

“This is only the first step for our AmtrakConnect program,” said Lenetta McCampbell, Amtrak’s senior director for on-board systems.

“Amtrak will continually improve the service as Wi-Fi technology evolves, and we are evaluating opportunities to expand AmtrakConnect to additional routes and stations throughout the country.”

AmtrakConnect service on Acela Express trains will remain free of charge during the introductory period, after which the policy will be reviewed based on customer demand and system performance.

AmtrakConnect was deployed on Acela Express by Virginia Beach-based GBS Group and its partner Nomad Digital. Last fiscal year, the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company’s history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day, at speeds up to 150 mph, to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies.

For more information, call 800-USA-RAIL or visit www.amtrak.com

Eventi, a Kimpton Hotel, will open in New York City’s North Chelsea neighborhood this spring. Managed by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the 292-room hotel represents the company’s fourth hotel in New York City. The hotel is now taking reservations for stays arriving June 1, 2010, and a special Preview Rate can be booked online at www.eventihotel.com

Eventi’s 54-story exterior features a new glass tower occupying the entire block of Avenue of the Americas between 29th and 30th streets. Created by designer Colum McCartan, Eventi features original art from Barbara Nessim, which will be on display inside the hotel rooms and public spaces, including a contemporary work that spans the height of the third and fourth floors.

The hotel’s lobby area also will offer Kimpton’s signature “Living Room” concept, incorporating a fireplace and comfortable seating areas for lounging while enjoying daily hosted wine hours.

Each guestroom will feature such amenities as LCD flat-screen televisions, iHome Sound Systems, high-speed wireless Internet access and 24-hour in-room dining.

Fans of Kimpton’s signature programs and amenities will find their favorites at Eventi, from specialized customer care to the Mind.Body.Spa and InTouch guest loyalty programs.

Other popular features include on-demand yoga (with yoga accessories available for guest use), Pilates, meditation channels, a 24-hour fitness center overlooking the outdoor plaza and a 530-car parking garage with valet service. Adjacent to the outdoor public plaza is an impressive 20-foot-wide multi-media art screen to be used for public and private events.

Dining options at Eventi will be operated by China Grill Management, operators of restaurants such as China Grill, Asia de Cuba and Blue Door at Delano. The lower level will include a 20,000-square-foot multilevel Food Parc and bar, with counter, table and outdoor seating in the public plaza.

The Food Parc will offer an array of food options.

Due to open in fall 2010, the second level will feature a restaurant that offers New York’s first contemporary Basque cuisine in a futuristic setting, with indoor and outdoor dining and a specialty bar serving a unique collection of whiskies and spirits. The hotel will also boast more than 15,000 square feet of multi-faceted meeting space, including three outdoor terraces.

For more information, visit www.eventihotel.com

The Hôtel Plaza Athénée, New York, located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, announced the completion of a multimillion-dollar refurbishment project.

The renovation includes new décor for the majority of the guestrooms and all suites, the re-design and enlargement of bathrooms, the addition of four premier luxury suites, a new lobby look, updated business and fitness centers, and the addition of a new spa, scheduled to open early spring 2010.

A total of 78 rooms, including all suites, were completely renovated from top to bottom in a variety of styles and décor, giving each room an individual look and feel.

Additional items to enhance the new décor include luxurious Italian bed linens, Asian-inspired silks, plasma TVs, sitting areas, writing desks and wireless Internet service.

A selection of guest rooms and suites feature enlarged marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and dual sinks, as well as glass enclosed atriums and outdoor terraces with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skylines.

The hotel also added four premier luxury suites to its room mix, including two Presidential Suites featuring 2,000 palatial square feet of space, and will open a new spa facilities in spring 2010.

The architectural firm of Stephen B. Jacobs Group and affiliate interior design firm of Andi Pepper Interior Design were retained to oversee this renovation.

For more information, visit www.plaza-athenee.com

Montserrat’s recently opened Mt. Pleasant Eco-Lodge & Campsite is set in a tropical rainforest and features a circular shaped cottage, known as Harmony Cottage that was designed after a Mongolian yurt.

The cottage contains a queen-size bed, eco-toilet, shower, kitchen and a skylight.

There are several tent platforms ranging in size from 8-by-10 feet to 10-by-18 feet.

Tents used on these platforms can be rented from the facility or brought in by campers.

An activity center is also located on the grounds. The Mt. Pleasant Eco-Lodge & Campsite is one of the most environmentally friendly accommodation facilities on Montserrat.

All the electricity at the site is generated from solar-powered panels.

The compound and all tent platforms are also fitted with showers and mini-flush compost toilets.

Situated in the picturesque Mt. Pleasant area, the facility was built without the removal of any trees, and offers breathtaking views of Montserrat’s coastline.

For more information, visit www.greenlivingmontserrat.com

Dolomite Mountains, an adventure travel company based in the Dolomite Mountains, is offering the experience of mountain climbing on a Via Ferrata.

The Via Ferrata (or iron road) is a mountain route equipped with fixed cables, ladders and bridges.

Via Ferratas allow isolated routes to be connected and to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities.

It is a way to experience the Dolomite environment and its mountain views.

Many Via Ferratas were originally built in Italy to aid movements of alpine military units during World War I.

They also exist in Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland, and are among the major attractions in the Dolomites.

They are, in effect, a range of protected routes, comprised of fixed cables, ladders and even gorge-spanning bridges, which aid ascent to places normally reserved for expert rock climbers. Routes are graded according to difficulty.

Via Ferrata climbing is suitable for everyone not afraid of heights who wants to experience the Dolomites in a different way.

Cables and ladders aid even non-expert climbers.

There are many Ferratas of different difficulties so everyone can do what suits best.

While in other regions, the Via Ferratas were built for tourism, the ones in the Dolomites are mostly of historical origin. Probably the most unusual Via Ferrata in the eastern part of the Dolomites is VF Lagazuoi Tunnels.

Fighting for control of Mount Lagazuoi in World War I, Austrian and Italian troops built a series of tunnels through the mountains.

The aim of each side was to tunnel close to the enemy and detonate explosives to destroy their fortifications. Some of the tunnels have been restored, with a Via Ferrata following the route of one of these.

Around 1850, English mountaineers began to appear in the Ladin valleys.

Their journeys took them several days on foot and their destinations were the imposing rock faces and peaks of the Dolomites. From 1870 onwards, train connections and large hotels attracted the nobility who, without exerting themselves too much, could restore themselves with the pure mountain air and the alpenglow.

The inhabitants of the Dolomite valleys found themselves at the service of the guests in various ways — as hotel personnel, as mountain guides and in other roles. Some of them soon started their own businesses and, around 1900, began to teach new winter sports to their guests.

After 1945, tourism became the most important business sector in the Dolomites.

A tourist mecca, the Dolomites are famous for skiing in the winter months and mountain climbing, daily excursions, climbing and base jumping, as well as paragliding and hang gliding in summer and late spring/early autumn.

Free climbing has been a tradition in the Dolomites since 1887, when 17-year-old Georg Winkler soloed the first ascent of the pinnacle Die Vajoletturme.

The staff at Dolomite Mountains has been providing active experiential adventures for more than 15 years, designed to help travelers uncover the true spirit of the Dolomite Mountains.

The company offers hiking, biking, skiing, climbing and ferrata climbing.

For more information, call 347-826-6271 or visit www.dolomitemountains.com

Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about the Italian Dolomites.

Permanent ferry service between Antigua and Montserrat has been restored as well as daily scheduled flights by a new local airline, FlyMontserrat.

The ferry provides travelers with return trip service on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Additional ferry service to the destination will be added during peak travel periods and for special events taking place on the island.

Roundtrip fares are approximately $115. Special day-trip packages will also be available through tour operators based in Antigua and Montserrat.

FlyMontserrat currently provides two daily roundtrip flights from Montserrat to Antigua with roundtrip fares that start at $110 plus taxes.

Several additional flights will be added to the schedule during the winter travel season.

For more information, visit www.flymontserrat.com  or www.visitMontserrat.com