Jetsettersblog

Princeville Ranch Adventures is Hawaii’s first tour provider to combine horseback riding and ziplining. Starting in June, the outfitter will offer a three-hour scenic tour of Kauai’s beauty in which guests ride horseback for 30 minutes, then zip across three lines through a forest, before ending with another 30-minute horseback ride over open fields. www.adventureskauai.com

Koloa Rum Company was recently honored for the quality of its rum by winning three medals at the 5th Annual Polished Palate International Rum Competition in Florida. Located at Kilohana Plantation in Lihuee and Kauai’s first commercial rum company, Koloa Rum earned silver medals for its Gold Hawaiian Rum and Dark Hawaiian Rum, and a bronze medal for its White Hawaiian Rum. Winners were based on appearance, aroma, taste, and finish. www.KoloaRum.com

Live with a little luxury.

Catch a lift to the golf course in your own private helicopter. HeliGolf Hawaii delivers you to the tee box aboard a first-class helicopter especially designed for comfortable sightseeing.

The sweeping island scenery and exclusive aerial views on the way over would, themselves, spell a pretty good day, but there are still 18 holes on the course of your choice yet to play—with your own private golf pro.

Hop over to Lanai to play at The Challenge at Koele or The Experience at Manele, hit the links like royalty (which you are, today) at Maui’s private King Kamehameha Golf Club, or choose from any one of Maui’s top-notch courses.

Birdie or bogey, it won’t matter—the return trip promises more thrilling, breathtaking views.

Rounding out a day of indulgence is a five-star lunch and limo transfers to and from the airport.

For info, call (808) 873-8687 or visit

www.Heligolfhawaii.com

Savor a dining experience straight from the folds of a foodie magazine.

Nestled among the idyllic rolling hills of Upcountry Maui is 8.5-acre O’o Farm, a diversified organic farm dreamed into being by the owners of Pacific’o and I’o restaurants.

While the rows of gourmet veggies, herbs and fruits provide fresh produce for the restaurant’s guests, you can get yours even fresher—pick it yourself and eat it right there!

The O’o Farm tour begins with an exploration and harvesting of what’s in season, and culminates in your bounty becoming a beautiful lunch prepared in a rustic outdoor kitchen by the resident chef Sean Christensen.

While you are waiting for lunch, sip hot cider and hit farm manager Richard Clark up for gardening tips and advice.

Relax at the sprawling wood dining table, chat with friends, and soak up the special country charm of this hidden gem of a spot.

Bring some wine and toast to your good food and good fortune.

For info, call (808) 667-4341 or visit

www.Oofarm.com

AMA Waterways has introduced the new 162-passenger Amabella, which will be marketed primarily in Australia.

The new ship has been in fully chartered for the 2010 and 2011 sailing seasons.

AMA Waterways executives and key industry partners attended a pre-inaugural blessing ceremony of the Amabella in Volendam on May 7.

The Amabella offers twin balconies in staterooms, large suites, a swimming pool, fireside library and a chef’s table restaurant seating 24 people complete with private chef. The average size of the staterooms is 214 square feet, with suites measuring 350 square feet.

Amabella is the seventh “AMA” ship to join the AMA Waterways fleet cruising the Danube, Rhine, Main and Mosel rivers in Europe.

Amabella joins the Amadagio (launched in 2006), Amalegro (2007), Amacello (2008), Amadante (2008), Amalyra (2009) and Amadolce (2009). The Amaverde will debut in 2011.

For more information, call 800-626-0126 or visit www.amawaterways.com

British Airways customers flying in North America and the Caribbean now have access to the airline’s new private jet service.
The carrier has teamed up with private aviation company CitationAir, owned by Cessna, to offer its PrivateConnect service which will allow passengers pay-as-you-fly access to a fleet of jets.
BA customers simply have to register online to be given a dedicated phone line which enables them to book a private jet trip.

The airline says there are no long-term commitment requirements and no upfront fees normally associated with jet travel.

However, when registering users must prove that they are either employed by a business that holds a BA corporate account, are in a BA Executive Club programme or have flown with BA in the last 12 months.

For more information about PrivateConnect, go to

www.flyprivateconnect.com

Stena Line’s largest Superferry, the Stena Hollandica, has made its maiden voyage from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.

LONDON, ENGLAND,– Stena Line has announced a successful maiden voyage for the Stena Hollandica, travelling across the North Sea from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.

The result of Stena Line’s largest ever investment of over GBP375 million, the Stena Hollandica is the first of two new Superferries to operate from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, with the Stena Britannica planned to arrive in October 2010.

The Stena Hollandica and the Stena Britannica are the largest ferries of their type in the world at 240 metres long – more than twice the height of Big Ben.

A wide range of passenger facilities includes buffet and a la carte restaurants, bar, cinema, media room, Internet corner and the Stena Plus Lounge, a dedicated ‘quiet zone’ with complimentary hot and cold drinks, nibbles and newspapers.

The media room and Internet corner allow passengers to read magazines and keep in touch with the latest local and world news on television or online. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship throughout the crossing, as is mobile telephone reception.

Each Stena Line Superferry has 538 cabins with ensuite bathrooms, featuring Hans Grohe fittings, and all cabins have wider-than-average Dux beds and satellite television. Upgraded cabin types are also available, with the Captain’s Class cabin offering double bed, complimentary mini-bar and flatscreen television.

Each new Superferry can carry 230 cars, 300 freight vehicles and 1,200 passengers: there are dedicated areas onboard for children and teenagers, and dogs can travel in comfort in one of 12 kennels. There’s even a sundeck with a bar for drinks and relaxation with an ocean view.

The Stena Hollandica and Britannica incorporate environmentally-friendly features as part of Stena Line’s Energy Savings Programme. Catalytic convertors, an energy-efficient hull design and energy-efficient engines all contribute to a reduced environmental impact overall, as does special solar film on the windows which excludes up to 82% of the sun’s heat so that less energy is required to cool onboard areas.

Departing twice daily, the crossing takes approx 6.5 hours with a choice of day or night sailings in each direction. Departures from Harwich leave at 09:00 and around 23:45 each day, and at 14.30 and around 22:00 from the Hook of Holland.

Lead in fares start at just GBP49 one-way for a car and driver, plus GBP12 per additional adult or GBP6 per additional child (up to 15 yrs, under fours travel free). With a similar pricing structure to low fares airlines, as the cheaper fares sell out, the prices on popular crossings will rise, so those booking early make the largest savings. Cabins for overnight crossings start from GBP18 per person one-way, based on two sharing.

About Stena Line

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator in Europe and one of the largest in the world, with more than 450,000 people crossing the North Sea between the UK and Holland with the company every year. In the UK alone Stena Line, which operates Europe’s most comprehensive route networks, offers two daily crossings on its Harwich to Hook of Holland route as well as over 30 daily crossings on its five different routes to Ireland (Stranraer to Belfast, Fleetwood to Larne, Holyhead to Dublin, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Fishguard to Rosslare) providing fast and efficient crossings with excellent onboard services and facilities.

Website: http://www.stenaline.co.uk

AT CAESAREA

The Caesarea Golf Course, Israel’s first international golf course, reopened last year after an extensive 18-month renovation project by world-renowned golf course architect Pete Dye.

The original vision of British benefactor James de Rothschild, the Caesarea Golf Course was designed by Fred Smith in 1961 with the support of the Rothschild Foundation.

The Caesarea Golf Course was recently remodeled by Pete Dye–extending the fairways on the course by 980 feet and offering a new challenging design to meet international golf course standards.

The Caesarea Golf Club features an 18-hole course, spacious training ranges, skilled instructors, golf academy for children, pro shop and gourmet restaurant.

“The Caesarea Golf Course will attract golfers from around the world to tee off at Israel’s first world-class golf course,” says Arie Sommer, Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America.

“The redesigned golf course will help position Israel as a premier destination in the emerging golf and sport niche travel market.”

The Caesarea Golf Club is located in central Caesarea and is a short drive from the Caesarea National Park.

For more information, visit www.caesarea.com/sites/golf_e.aspx

For more information about travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com

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.

www.volcanoessafaris.com

There’s a decade of fun brewing at Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Having hosted more than 10 million visitors since opening in May 2000, Kalahari is gearing up to capitalize on the trend of travelers taking drive-to regional getaways versus fly-to vacations this summer. In addition to introducing a new cast of characters, a new hip-hop theme song and special on-site 10-year celebration activities, summer at Kalahari Resort will bring unique packages and deals.

Kalahari, which first opened as a 100-room hotel with a 60,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, is now home to a 756-room convention/waterpark/theme park complex.

The resort expansions began in 2002, when the company doubled the size of its indoor waterpark and added major attractions such as the region’s first Master Blaster water coaster.

In 2004, Kalahari was first in the U.S. to install the FlowRider, a simulated surfing ride, in its indoor waterpark. And more recently, the resort completed an Indoor Theme Park complete with an indoor Ferris wheel, go-cart tracks and climbing wall. Over the last 10 years Kalahari Resort has invested more than $129 million into resort expansion projects.

“There’s no question that Kalahari Resort has been a major asset to Wisconsin Tourism since opening 10 years ago,” says Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

“We commend the resort for drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists to Wisconsin, providing more than 1,200 jobs for Wisconsin residents, and for stimulating our economy now more than ever.”

Summer Packages and Deals

From golf getaways to theatre packages to waterpark family fun to relaxing spa retreats, Kalahari has a package to fit any vacationers’ needs this summer. Each registered guest staying between May 28 and September 5, 2010 will also receive a complimentary ticket to the renowned Tommy Bartlett Show. Here are just a few packages guests can look out for:

Fantastic Family Getaway, starting at $399.95 for two nights: Includes a two-night stay in a Desert or Hut room for up to four guests, admission to Wisconsin’s largest indoor waterpark for each registered guest, breakfast for two adults and two children (12 and under), one 14-inch pizza and four fountain sodas, $40 credit towards dinner at Great Karoo and Kahunaville, four Indoor Theme Park passes, $20 credit towards spa services at Spa Kalahari and one complimentary in-room movie.

Stay and Play Golf Package, starting at $195 per person: Includes a one-night stay in a Desert of Hut room for up to four guests, Combination Suite for up to eight guests, or Nyumba Entertainment Kondo for up to 18 guests, admission to Wisconsin’s Largest Indoor Waterpark for each registered guest, 18 holes of golf at Trappers Turn Golf Club for each registered guest (includes GPS cart and use of practice facility) and complimentary shuttle service to Trappers Turn Golf Club.

Suite Spa Stay, from $159.95: Includes a one-night stay in a King Whirlpool Suite or Lodge Room for up to two guests, admission to Wisconsin’s Largest Indoor Waterpark for each registered guest, breakfast for two adults and a $50 Spa Kalahari gift certificate.

For additional packages and deals, go to www.KalahariResorts.com

“It’s hard to believe that it has been a decade since we opened our doors,” says Todd Nelson, who owns and operates Kalahari Resort along with his wife and five children. “What an amazing opportunity we’ve had to grow in this industry and to provide a memorable experience for both our leisure and convention guests. We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years brings.”

In 2007, Kalahari added golf to its offerings when it purchased Trappers Turn Golf Club to offer sports packages to its guests; and in April 2010, the resort became part owner of Crystal Grand Theatre in Wisconsin Dells to offer yet another above-and-beyond entertainment option to the region’s residents and visitors. For more information on Kalahari’s 10th birthday, including little known facts about the resort, go to: www.kalahariresorts.com/wi/newsevents/tenyears