Jetsettersblog

London’s Westbury Mayfair completed a nearly $50 million renovation.

Located at the corner of Bond and Conduit streets near the city’s shopping district, the hotel’s 250 rooms and suites provide a convenient base from which to experience and explore the city.

Its legendary Polo Bar is a scene unto itself with London power-players coming and going at all hours.

For more information, visit

www.westburymayfair.com

www.Drinksinlondon.com and www.Drinksinreading.com are currently available in 18 U.K. cities, and one European city, Zagreb.

Drinksin, the location-based pub and bar community, connects people to pubs and bars they’ll love via their mobile.

The newly launched Dealmap is a source for consumers to find and share local deals on the web.

In conjunction with the launch of its service, the Dealmap has created publicly available APIs that Drinksin will use to add local deal content to its sites.

Drinksin is focused around technology, in particular the latest in mobile location-based services and personalized customization.

Drinksin’s tools learn what you like and provide personalized recommendations for pubs, bars and events to visit based on location.

Using Drinksin, people can explore new places, grab money saving deals and discover the hottest events happening right now just round the corner from where you’re stood.

Owning over 120 domains and with a number of new technology services being made available this year, Drinksin will connect people to drinking establishments of interest wherever they are located in the world via the Internet or mobile device.

Drinksin’s city-based websites such as

A client in Bath, for instance, could visit www.drinksinbath.com

Other participating cities include Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Newquay, Reading, Southampton and Windsor.

For more information, visit www.drinksin.com

Chef Daniel Boulud’s first U.K. restaurant, Bar Boulud, London opened its doors May 6, at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The French-inspired bistro and wine bar is directly accessible from Knightsbridge and will follow the format of Bar Boulud in New York.

The Adam D. Tihany-designed interior seats 169 in two large connecting rooms, the first with a zinc-topped bar and the second with an open kitchen.

Classic materials such as wood, leather and cork add a contemporary touch and an aesthetic inspired by the craft of wine making, including walled wine stains from Boulud’s favorite vintages and photography of various renowned Lyon bistros and brasseries.

Guests can also watch the chefs at work at the charcuterie bar running along the edge of the open kitchen or dine in one of the two interconnecting private dining rooms, both seating 16 people each.

A full bistro menu is based on seasonal, rustic French cooking and includes signatures dishes such as truffled white sausage, grilled Atlantic sea bass, braised rabbit ragout and coq au vin as well as a selection of terrines and pâtés made on site under the direction of acclaimed charcutier Gilles Verot.

With a focus on Burgundy and the Rhône Valley, an impressive selection of wines, by the glass and by the bottle, and occasionally from magnums, jeroboams and rehoboams, feature old world wines as well as new world selections made in the Rhône or Burgundy spirit.

A selection of beers is also available on draft from small, artisanal producers and continental microbreweries with specially designed glassware for tasting portions.

Bar Boulud, London will open from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. To celebrate this exciting restaurant launch, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is offering one night in a deluxe room prepared with soft Victorian furnishings, breakfast for two and lunch or dinner for two at Bar Boulud, London from $548. Based on double occupancy, this rate is exclusive of VAT and 5 percent discretionary service charge and is subject to availability until December 2010.

For reservations or more information, call 44 (0) 207 201 3773 or visit

www.mandarinoriental.com/london

Hamburg, Germany’s largest port city, is promoting an alternative scene away from the beaten tourist track.

The Schanzenviertel, Ottensen, St. Georg and Karolinenviertel districts feature off-beat shopping.

At the Flohschanze, a popular bric-a-brac and antiques markets, people flock to its stalls every Saturday.

The Lockengeloet Store uses soldering irons and welding torches to create one-off items from materials that are usually consigned to the rubbish — discarded vacuum cleaners become floor lamps and VHS cases become key racks.

The Karolinenviertel is a treasure trove for collectors of vinyl records.

The Karolinenviertel, in particular, is packed with studios and showrooms where designers produce exclusive collections. Second-hand stores are also in vogue.

Hot Dogs is one of the best places in the city to find vintage items, whether it’s an original Adidas jacket from the 1980s or unworn classic sneakers from yesteryear.

For more information, visit

www.hamburg-tourism.de

Brendan Vacations’ Discover Germany by Car is a self-drive vacation that allows clients to plan an itinerary that fits different schedules and budgets.

The package starts in Munich, where the car is picked up upon arrival. From there the choice is up to the clients.

The package includes two nights in Munich, one night in Cologne, two nights in Berlin and six days compact car rental, starting at $519 (land only), bookable until Nov. 15.

For more information, visit www.brendanvacations.com

The new Berlin Wall Bike Cycle Route with Bike Tours Direct follows the route of the former Berlin Wall through the heart of Berlin and along the former “No Man’s Land” that existed between West Berlin and East Germany.

Although the tour starts and ends in urban Berlin, it also leads through quiet countryside along lakes and rivers and past the Baroque palaces of Potsdam.

This self-guided tour includes seven overnights, luggage transfers, bicycles and detailed maps for $900 (land only). Tour dates are available until October.

For more information, visit www.biketoursdirect.com

This evening, Crown’s new 658 room hotel, Crown Metropol, was officially opened by Crown Limited’s Executive Chairman, James Packer and the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable John Brumby.

The launch of the wave-shaped hotel included the opening of the hotel’s level 27 day spa, Isika, the top floor guest lounge and bar, “28”, the hotel’s four meeting rooms as well as the official opening of Gordon Ramsay’s two new restaurants, maze and maze Grill.

Special guests included Gordon Ramsay, Senator the Honourable Stephen Conroy, Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, the Honourable Martin Ferguson, Federal Minister for Tourism, Resources and Energy, the Honourable Tim Holding, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Honourable Steven Ciobo, Federal Shadow Minister for Tourism, the Arts, Youth and Sport and the Right Honourable Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor City of Melbourne, as well as DJ Havana Brown and high-profile chefs Guillaume Brahimi, Neil Perry and Robert Marchetti.

Over 250 guests witnessed the unveiling of Melbourne’s newest and most architecturally-striking hotel. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception sipping Moët & Chandon Champagne accompanied by canapés expertly-prepared by maze’s Chef de Cuisine, Josh Emett.

“We have invested over $370 million in Crown Metropol and its associated assets, to ensure that Crown here in Melbourne remains one of the best integrated casino resorts in the world,” said Mr Packer. Crown Melbourne’s Chief Executive Officer, David Courtney, stated that, “the new hotel is a demonstration of the confidence Crown has in the future of Melbourne as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.”

“The Bates Smart designed hotel will employ 500 people and provide accommodation for approximately 225 000 interstate and overseas guests in its first year of operation,” stated Courtney.

“It’s great to be back in Melbourne to celebrate this momentous occasion, the opening of Crown Metropol. Having opened restaurants in New York, London, Cape Town and Doha and having seen Melbourne grow into such a dynamic culinary city, I could not be more excited to be a part of the action. Seeing Melbourne’s maze and maze Grill open is a dream come true,” added Gordon Ramsay.

Following the official opening ceremony, guests were entertained and indeed awe-struck by a surprise performance by world-renowned illusionist, Matt Hollywood. Assembled invitees then ascended the hotel’s ribbon staircase before being seated for dinner at maze and maze Grill.

The finale of the evening was late night drinks and tapas at “28,” Crown Metropol’s private hotel guest lounge and soon-to-be Melbourne’s most talked about nightspot.

The bar features both indoor and heated outdoor seating and the best views of the Melbourne skyline.

To top the night off, all guests will enjoy overnight accommodation at Crown Metropol followed by a Gordon Ramsay-created breakfast served in the comfort of their room or in the buzzy, brasserie-like feel of maze and maze Grill.

Grand Pacific Tours, the New Zealand Luxury Coach Holiday Specialist, announce the release of their 2010 Festive Season Tour brochure.

Due to the success of last year’s tours, they have expanded their product selection to provide a choice of tours over the Festive Season, all combined in a six page brochure.

CHRISTMAS TOURS

There are two fabulous 11 Day South Island tours to choose from both departing on the 22nd of December 2010.

The 11 Day Christmas Getaway shall be aboard one of our luxury coaches and includes Christmas lunch at Walter Peak Station in Queenstown after cruising aboard the TSS Earnslaw.

The 11 Day Ultimate Christmas Tour is restricted to 20 travellers aboard the Ultimate Touring Coach, with luxury leather reclining seating, just the thing after Christmas Dinner at the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross in Dunedin and staying in premium accommodation throughout.

NEW YEARS TOUR

Why not see in the New Year across the Tasman! The 11 Day Ultimate New Year’s Break departs on the 30th December 2010 and is restricted to only 20 travellers.

Travel in style onboard the most luxurious touring vehicle in New Zealand as you witness the spectacular South Island in true style and join in the New Year celebrations in Christchurch at the five-star Millennium Hotel.

All tours include airfares, pre paid taxes, accommodation, most meals, sightseeing and pre paid attractions.

As an added incentive all bookings received prior to the 30th June shall have the choice of either a FREE night’s accommodation pre tour or a FREE Grand Pacific Tours touring jacket per person valued at $58.

Further information can be found at www.grandpacifictours.com  or by calling 1800 622 768.

Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa is the newest 5 star luxury self contained accommodation on Rarotonga and today proudly announces the opening of five brand new one bedroom Villa Suites at the property.

Complementing the existing five beautifully designed and appointed two & three bedroom villas, these new Villa Suites each feature their own pool in a private beachfront or garden courtyard setting.

Set on Rarotonga’s most stunning south-east coast location, Muri Beach is picture perfect, overlooking small islands and on a white sand beach fringed with palm trees and lapped by the gentle waters of the turquoise lagoon.

Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa offers an exciting new choice for the discerning traveller.

Voted “Australasia’s Leading Villas” at the 2009 World Travel Awards, guests at Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa can either be totally self-sufficient and self contained, or enjoy services associated with a 5-star experience.

Guests can select additional services from an ‘a la carte’ guest services menu, ranging from daily housekeeping through to a 5-course dinner prepared onsite by Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa’s own private chefs.

Guests simply pay for the services they desire when they want it.

Easy to get to, guests can indulge, rejuvenate and enjoy a perfect unspoiled escape away from the crowds and commercialisation of associated with other tourist destinations. The Cook Islands are the South Pacific’s best kept secret and together with Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa, offers New Zealanders and Australians somewhere special to escape this winter.

For more details and to book, visit www.temanava.com

There are no rear lights, no windshield wipers and you won’t get much in the trunk except water, but at northern Thailand’s luxurious Anantara Resort Golden Triangle, guests can pass their driving test –from the back of an elephant.

The three-day mahout (elephant ‘driver’) training course takes place in the resort’s own elephant camp, which was set up in conjunction with Thailand’s National Elephant Institute and its Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang (situated some 600km north of Bangkok). The resort’s resident elephants are all experienced mahout trainers – and full of personality.

Course content includes learning basic commands (pai=go, baen=turn and the all-important, how=stop) in order to drive an elephant, river bathing, daily care of an elephant, feeding requirements and mahout lifestyle. At the end of three days a short ‘driving test’ is administered after which guests receive their certificate of mahout competence.

Anantara’s 160 acres of bamboo forest, nature trails and river banks provide an ideal habitat for the 32 elephants, all of whom have been rescued from the streets of Bangkok and other major cities in Thailand to participate in the resort’s eco-tourism programme.

Guests learn their elephant driving skills working with a qualified Thai mahout and an English-speaking guide, quite often the resorts own Director of Elephants, John Roberts, an Englishman with his own mahout certification.

Roberts explains: “The programme is designed for those who would like to get a feel for the bond between elephant and mahout and to learn more than just the very basics. Our course is based on the professional mahout training course, run at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre.”

It’s certainly not a course for late risers. Elephants and their mahouts get up with the sun and the course starts each morning at 7am. The trainee’s first task is to collect their elephant from the forest and together with the mahout drive her back to the camp. The guide will explain what the mahout is doing and the commands he uses for his elephant.

Once back at the camp, it’s time for morning ablutions (for the elephants that is). Then it’s off to work; starting with how to mount your elephant – up the side or leap-frogging over its bowed head. Once seated behind the elephant’s ears, the mahout teaches each trainee the basic movement commands and the trainees get used to walking up and down the camp, acclimatising themselves to the roll and sway of their mount. The morning course ends at around 9am.

The afternoon’s activities start at 1:30pm, when, during the dry season, guests drive their elephant to the Ruak River for their favourite activity, river bathing. Trainees are expected to get in the water with their elephant, though staying on their back and not getting wet is almost impossible; especially with the more playful amongst these pachyderms.

Then it’s back to the forest, where the mahouts choose a good place for their elephant to spend the night, one where bamboo and leafy snacks are plentiful!

“The elephants at the camp are all used to working with people and like the best teachers, are extremely patient. As with humans, elephants warm to and trust people over time, so we encourage guests to hand feed their teachers with plenty of sugar cane and bananas,” says Roberts. Each elephant eats around 250kg of food per day.

Qualified mahouts stay with the elephant throughout the training and guests are never required to have sole charge of their mount.

On the second day the mahout trainees will also become elephant vetanarian trainees, where they will learn how to check the pulse, body temperature, weight and overall body condition of their elephants.

Mahout trainees need not worry, a qualified vet is on hand to guide you through the health check and will be able to answer all your questions on how to keep an elephant in tip top condition.

On the third day Roberts gives the mahout trainees a workout on the playing field to test their knowledge learnt in a game of elephant polo followed by a short driving test; though the testing isn’t overly rigorous.

“I don’t feel too guilty for turning less than competent mahouts out on the streets,” laughs Roberts “There have been no reports of elephant-based accidents when my students return home. At least not yet!”

On passing their test, trainees receive a certificate of competence, a new mahout shirt and as a souvenir of their time at the Anantara elephant camp.

In addition to the three-day mahout course, other special packages are also available. Anantara Resort Golden Triangle is located 60km north of Chiang Rai’s international airport.

For enquiries and reservations, please call + 66 (0) 5378 4084 or + 66 (0) 2 477 0760 or email goldentriangle@anantara.com.

For more information, visit www.anantara.com   Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about the Thai Tusker Trek.