Jetsettersblog

KAMPALA, Uganda –Volcanoes Safaris is the only company to have built its own exclusive safari eco-lodges near three gorilla parks in Africa, offering travelers a once in a lifetime chance to get unparalleled access to the great apes of Africa.

The Bwindi Lodge, one of Volcanoes’ world renowned eco lodges overlooks the primeval Bwindi forest home to gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and birds, and tracking gorillas in the so-called ‘impenetrable’ forest is a magical and truly unforgettable experience.

At this stunning eco-lodge with eight bandas, guests can spend the day taking in the views on the terrace, mesmerized by its exotic sounds watching primates and birds in the canopy.

The walk to the river through regenerated bush they have carefully nurtured as a buffer zone is truly spectacular and is a favorite haunt for the gorillas and they often sleep at the lodge!

Volcanoes Safaris believes that ecotourism in these remote areas needs to respect the culture of local communities, their modest economic means, and the fragility of the environment, and providing western standards of comfort needs to be balanced with the pressure local people face in obtaining food and clean water.

On a Volcanoes safari, travelers will see a true demonstration of Volcanoes integrated set of ecotourism principles while experiencing one of the most exotic destinations in Africa.

On many National Wildlife Refuges, spring means the return of visitors to water trails — and it’s no mystery why.

Exploring a refuge by canoe or kayak combines adventure with physical activity and an intimacy with nature that’s hard to beat. Whether you navigate on your own or take a guided trip, bring your own boat or rent one, many refuges make wonderful paddling destinations.

Besides providing a close-up glimpse of shorebirds, mammals and other wildlife, refuges offer serenity, mapped water trails, and, sometimes, the option of multi-day camping excursions.

The Refuge System boasts some 1,000 miles of marked water trails. “When you’re in a canoe, you’re not as intimidating to wildlife,” said Nancy Brown, a public outreach specialist at the South Texas Refuge Complex, at the state’s southernmost tip, where guided canoe and kayak outings on the Rio Grande and the Laguna Madre are sellouts. A former Alaska kayak guide, Brown helped secure National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants for the half-day interpreted paddle trips at the complex’s three National Wildlife Refuges:

Santa Ana, Lower Rio Grande Valley and, as of last summer, Laguna Atascosa.

“We’ve paddled right beneath hawks and past white-tailed deer. When you’re in a canoe, animals don’t appear to see you as a predator.”

A boat is a must for those who wish to explore the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon where a marked canoe trail is open all year-round, as well as at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, which crosses southern Georgia and northern Florida.

“The vast majority of the refuge you can see only by water,” said Blaine Eckberg, park ranger at Okefenokee Refuge.

“Paddling lets you enter one of the largest wilderness areas east of Mississippi River, full of egrets, cranes and of course alligators. Mild temperatures and the lack of biting insects make spring the most popular paddling season.”

Two islands and seven raised platforms are available to paddlers who want to camp overnight in the swamp, as Eckberg recently did.

“You may hear alligators growling, but they’re not likely to bother you. They’re not interested in people.”

Over 42 million people visit refuges each year, generating almost $1.7 billion in sales for regional economies. In addition to wildlife observation, refuges provide rich opportunities for wildlife photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education and nature interpretation.

For more information about all 551 National Wildlife Refuges, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges

Here are just a few of the National Wildlife Refuges that are popular for outdoor water activities:

Northeast  John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Pennsylvania

The refuge’s 4.5 mile segment of Darby Creek winds through the largest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania before flowing into the Delaware River. See migratory birds including warblers, herons, egrets and sandpipers, as well as bald eagles, kingfishers and waterfowl. Enjoy great fishing along the way. Refuge waters are tidal and navigable only within two hours before and after high tide.

Bring your own canoe or kayak. Download monthly tide charts on the refuge Web site and learn points of interest along a self-guided paddle tour. http://heinz.fws.gov

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Vermont

Paddle past one of the most impressive great blue heron rookeries in the Northeast. Look also for bald eagles, ospreys, waterfowl and neotropical migratory birds of the silver maple floodplain forest.

Take a map and have enough daylight or moonlight to find your way in the delta’s many channels. Canoe rentals are available nearby. http://www.fws.gov/northeast/missisquoi

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts

Part of the Great Marsh, the largest continuous salt marsh north of Long Island Sound, the Parker River Refuge attracts hundreds of songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl.

Spring and fall are favorite paddling seasons because migratory birds are plentiful and mosquitoes and horseflies are not. Check tide times to avoid being stranded by low tide. Rentals are available in Newburyport.

A paddling guide and map are available online. http://www.fws.gov/northeast/parkerriver

Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, New Hampshire and Maine

Paddlers can ogle moose, bald eagles, loons and other wildlife from along more than 10 miles of the Magalloway and Androscoggin Rivers, their backwaters and much of Umbagog Lake. Visit the refuge Web site for water route options. Canoe rentals are available nearby. http://www.fws.gov/northeast/lakeumbagog
Continue reading Water Trails Take Paddlers Deep Inside National Wildlife Refuges…

A website acting as a register of rooms to let for travellers has been created by a Durham University graduate.

The aim is to create an opportunity for home-owners in the UK and Ireland to let out spare rooms to paying guests.

The site – www.bedandfed.co.uk – charges home owners a £70 annual registration fee.

They then paid a maximum of £35 a night for providing “informal” dinner, bed and breakfast.

Bookings are made direct with the accommodation provider and guest reviews are encouraged on the site to help other users.

Income from B&B lettings is normally not taxable up to £4,250 under an HMRC rent a room exemption, according to the company.

Forbes said: “Having grown up in a house with endless streams of guests from all over the world, the idea of earning money by having people stay is hugely appealing.

“Bed&fed accounts for a middle market of inexpensive, friendly accommodation within the UK and Ireland which is just so easy for everyone to access.”

She added: “Bed&fed works both ways. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain income from your spare room which is so often empty as well as a great way to keep your accommodation costs down when travelling, without reducing they quality of where you stay.

“The hassle of finding somewhere to eat is eliminated too with this friendly and flexible arrangement.”

She said that clear guidelines exist about security issues and those who introduce fellow home owners can earn 15% commission.

An introductory registration offer of £70 for 15 months is currently available.

“Ireland: Walking the Western Islands,” described as a “rugged, off-the-beaten-path hiking adventure vacation,” has been named to National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s 2010 “Tours of a Lifetime” list.

“The magazine’s fifth annual list finds Boundless Journeys’ Ireland in the company of some of the most authentic, high-quality, and sustainably run travel experiences in the world,” according to Boundless.

The islands of Western Ireland have long drawn travelers looking to get off the beaten track and experience true Irish life, complete with rugged landscapes, hard working people, and small towns standing up to the harsh Atlantic winters.

Summer, however, brings softer weather, and long days for exploring the many islands dotting the coast, including Achill Island with its deserted famine village, and Clare Island, once home to Grace O’Malley, the “Pirate Queen.”

Easy to moderate daily hikes are complemented by picnic lunches in scenic coastal countryside and bustling Irish villages far from the usual tourist routes, according to Boundless.

Accommodations are in comfortable B & Bs, reflecting the simple but welcoming way of life that exists in the rarely visited islands of western Ireland.

The 8-day “Walking the Western Islands” tour is priced at $3295 per person.

For more information about Ireland visit http://www.discoverireland.com or for a free vacation planning kit call the NY office at 800/223-6470. Read Ireland feature stories from Jetsetters Magazine.

The tour is available from May 31-June 7, and from Aug. 23-30 this year.

Say Hello to Family Fun, Say Hello to Barceló Hotels & Resorts From Kids-only Water Playgrounds to Family-friendly Room Designs, Barceló Hotels & Resorts Takes Care of the Details For Parents and Children Alike

Fairfax, VA – Leading all-inclusive hotelier Barceló Hotels & Resorts recognizes that parents and children have distinct needs as they travel together; kids seek fun and freedom while parents look for safety and peace of mind. Accordingly, the hotelier has designed its resorts to accommodate traveling families, providing space, safety and privacy as well as a wealth of all-included activities and dining choices to satisfy every family member’s taste.

The Spanish hotelier recently debuted its first all-deluxe family rooms resort, Barceló Bavaro Family Deluxe in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Part of the four-in-one Barceló Bavaro Beach Resort complex, this truly family-friendly hotel offers 180 deluxe family rooms, all situated along the resort’s 2.5 miles of white sand and tranquil waters, which are protected by a coral reef and serve as a safe, natural swimming pool.

Each deluxe family room offers separate spaces for parents and kids, ensuring both privacy and security for families gathering together under one roof.

And just steps outside the front door, families will find a wealth of all-included activities, such as tennis, kayaking, mini golf and swimming, plus an adult-supervised Barcy Kids’ Club and live nightly entertainment.

Best of all, thirteen restaurants span the entire complex, each offering an exclusive menu just for kids. Family suites are also available at the Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe in Riviera Maya, Mexico, as well as the all-new Barceló Los Cabos Palace Deluxe on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

Each five-star property features the hotelier’s signature Barcy Kids Club, offering a variety of programming for kids ages 4 to 12, as well as a children-only water park, complete with pool animation, volleyball nets and water cannons.

Babysitters are also available upon request.

No matter which Barceló all-inclusive destination a family may choose, parents and children are sure to find that they can come together for fun in the sun, from kayaking in sparkling waters to enjoying themed poolside games, with no additional cost or planning required.

And what could be a better way for families to reconnect than in paradise?

“Many families feel that vacationing together is now out of reach,” said Claudio Zboznovits, vice president of sales and marketing in the U.S. and Canada.

“But Barceló’s comprehensive all-inclusive plans, coupled with our family-friendly accommodations, robust activity programs and wealth of dining choices, makes vacationing in the world’s best destinations both convenient and affordable for today’s budget- and time-conscious families.”

For more information or reservations, call 1-800-BARCELO, visit http://www.barcelo.com

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced that Michelin-starred Chef Thierry Marx will introduce his cuisine to Mandarin Oriental, Paris when the hotel opens in spring 2011.

This will be Marx’s first gastronomic venture in the French capital.

One of the most distinguished chefs in France, Marx trained with some of the country’s best chefs at restaurants including Ledoyen, Taillevent and Robuchon.

He was awarded his first Michelin star in 1988 at Roc en Val in Tours and was also awarded a star at Cheval Blanc in Nimes in 1991. Marx joins Mandarin Oriental, Paris after 10 years at Châteaux Cordeillan Bages, a Relais & Châteaux in Gironde, France, where he has held two Michelin Stars since 1999.

Marx was also elected “Chef of the Year” by the Gault Millau guide in 2006. He is currently appearing in the French television series “Top Chef,” where he is part of a panel of professional chefs judging young culinary talent.

Mandarin Oriental, Paris is located on rue Saint Honoré. The hotel will comprise 138 luxurious guestrooms and suites which will be among the largest in the city.

An expansive inner courtyard with year-round al fresco dining will be a prime feature of the property, along with an extensive choice of restaurants, lounges and bars. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will manage the hotel under a long-terms lease which was signed in 2007 with Société Foncière Lyonnaise, the owner and developer of the property.

Avalon Waterways christened the Avalon Felicity in Volendam, a Netherlands fishing village, last weekend. Measha Brueggergosman, a soprano, served as the ship’s godmother. Brueggergosman blessed the ship with the following words: “May you traverse these great European river waters with grace and respect.

” May you carry with you and edify within you, the laughter, joy and love of those seeking heartening vistas and enlightening experiences. … May you use the scope of the resources within you to promote harmony, diversity and understanding amongst all cultures and ethnicities. … It is with heartfelt Canadian pride and sincerest humility that I now christen you Avalon Felicity. May you hold safe her crew, and all guests who sail on her.”

After reciting the christening speech, Brueggergosman cut the rope tethered to a bottle of champagne. The Avalon Felicity’s 39 crew members cheered from the ship’s sky deck as the bottle shattered against the vessel’s exterior.

The Avalon Felicity marks the company’s ninth new ship in Europe since 2004.

Post-christening, the Avalon Felicity set sail on its inaugural Romantic Rhine cruise.

Arriving from the Den Breejen Shipyard in Holland, the delivery of the Avalon Felicity comes less than one year after the inaugural cruises of sister ships Avalon Affinity and Avalon Creativity. “Our approach of deploying new vessels, complete with the next generation of design and amenities, has not just added capacity in Europe and around the world, it’s energized the small-ship cruise category,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways.

“Our ships are modern in design, showcasing contemporary appointments and state-of-the art technology. They also house the largest staterooms available. All staterooms measure 172 square feet, and 90 percent boast floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors, while our Junior Suites are a spacious 258 square feet.”

The Avalon Felicity features 65 staterooms and four Junior Suites. Other features on the Felicity include flat-screen televisions, large closets, twin beds convertible to one queen, Egyptian cotton linens, mini bar, safe, laundry and ironing services, fitness room, library, hair salon, gift shop, club lounge and large Jacuzzi pool on the Sky Deck. Open-air dining is available at lunch each day at the Sky Deck grill.

For more information, call 800-221-0090 or visit www.globusfamilypartner.com  or www.avalonwaterways.com

Slovakia’s first five-star Sheraton opened in February in the country’s capital, Bratislava.

The hotel is located adjacent to the Eurovea Galeria shopping center near the bank of the Danube and close to the new wing of the Slovak National Theatre.

The old town is a 10-minute stroll from the hotel, which is part of Starwood.

The Sheraton offers 186 guest rooms as well as 23 suites.

An extensive fitness and wellness area, cafés, restaurants and winter garden, together with a shopping centre next door with numerous boutiques, multiplex cinema and underground garage compliment the new Sheraton.

Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort, a Troon Golf managed facility, will reopen its nine-hole Woods Course for play.

In addition, the tennis complex located adjacent to the clubhouse will reopen on that date. The four tennis courts have been completely resurfaced.

The Woods Course closed in the fall of 2008 as part of the renovation of the 27-hole Makai Golf Club. The firm of Robert Trent Jones Jr., carried out the renovation project.

The original design of the Makai consisted of three nine-hole courses, and Makai Golf Club now features two individual courses: the 18-hole Makai Course, which reopened in January, and the nine-hole Woods Course. Unlike the Makai Course, which was completely renovated, no major changes were made to the layout of the Woods Course.

Instead, the original course design was redefined, particularly in the area of the bunkers, which have been restored to their original shape.

The standard rate to play the Woods Course is $60 per player. Junior golfers, 17 years of age and under, receive 50 percent off the standard rate when accompanied by an adult player.

For kamaaina (Hawaii residents with valid I.D.), the rate is $25 with a shared cart or $15 to walk the course.

Junior kamaaina players play free when accompanied by an adult player.

For more information, call 808-826-1912 or visit www.makaigolf.com

Air Canada expanded its network to its most northern destination with the start up of daily non-stop service to Iqaluit, Nunavut, from Ottawa with same-plane service to/from Montréal.

“Air Canada is strategically expanding its domestic services, offering customers more destinations and choice when flying,” said Marcel Forget, vice president responsible for Network Planning.

“The introduction of flights from Air Canada’s newest and most northern destination to both Montréal and Ottawa links Canada’s eastern Arctic directly to our global network with convenient connections to points across our extensive domestic, transborder and international network.”

Air Canada’s Iqaluit flights will be operated by Air Canada Jazz with made-in-Canada Bombardier CRJ 705 jet aircraft offering a choice of Executive or Economy class service with all-leather seating. The CRJ 705 aircraft features Air Canada’s popular personal seatback entertainment at all 75 seats throughout the aircraft.

Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 167 destinations on five continents.

Canada’s flag carrier is the 13th-largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million customers annually.

Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network for Canadian domestic, trans-border and international travel.

Customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future awards through Canada’s leading loyalty program.