Jetsettersblog

Berlinagenten, a private guide service in Berlin, offers several up-close explorations of the city’s arts, restaurants and night life.

The Gastro-Rallye, for instance, includes a selection of restaurants and nightclubs.

The tours promise to “get under the skin of Berlin with our energetic lifestyle tour company whose fun guides whisk you off the beaten track and introduce you to unique locations, people, shops, restaurants, clubs and culture sites.”

So far, the company has guided 1,000 people through the Berliner scene, including a demanding clientele of top corporate managers, trendsetters and individual travelers from all over the world. All tours/incentives are individual and the guests are exclusive “on the road” with a private guide who knows everything about the real life and the interesting things to do and see in Berlin.

The company doesn’t offer tours with several bookings/groups put together (on one and the same tour).

The concept is “go local” which means that all guides are like “friends on-site.”

For more information, visit

www.berlinagenten.com

or www.gastro-rallye.com

London Duck Tours will launch a new land and river sightseeing tour on Sept. 5, the D-Day Duck.

Using the actual vehicles built for D-Day, the tour will take passengers back in time to London’s home front during World War II. In a lively, entertaining and informative adventure, a professional character tour guide will reveal London’s most important World War II sights, including the Cabinet War Rooms, Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace.

Tours will operate the first Sunday of every month. For more information, email kelly.thompson@londonducktours.co.uk  or visit www.londonducktours.co.uk

Europcar and Air Berlin launch Premium Partnership with a special promotion.

Europcar and Air Berlin join forces

Europcar and Air Berlin launch Premium Partnership with a special promotion

Europcar, the European leader in car hire, and Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline, have decided to join forces by creating a new Premium Partnership to provide quality car hire services to all Air Berlin business and leisure customers.

An Air Berlin “topbonus” partner since February 2008, Europcar will become Air Berlin car hire “Premium Partner” as of July 1, 2010. In addition to its award-winning quality and range of vehicles, extensive network and customer service, Europcar will offer Air Berlin customers the best rates publicly available, including pre-paid rates reflecting “early-bird” deals in many Air Berlin destinations.

Europcar hires will now be part of the Air Berlin flight reservation process, and also available via dedicated co-branded micro-sites within the airberlin.com website.

Air Berlin ticket desk call centres in Germany will transfer calls to Europcar Germany call centres, open 24/7.

Air Berlin will also be promoting Europcar products and services at airports, at the ticket desks and check-in counters, on the doors of the planes, in the magazines and on the TV on board.

“Since partnering with the ‘topbonus’ program two years ago, Europcar and Air Berlin have gone from strength to strength, in Germany and internationally,” commented Guirec Grand-Clement, Global Sales and Marketing Director at Europcar International. “Being elected ‘Premium Partner’ pays testimony to the partnership’s value to our customers, as well as to both partners. Europcar looks forward to welcoming even more Air Berlin customers to our stations across the network.”

Although it is peak season, to celebrate the Premium Partnership launch, Europcar will be running a special “Drive Bigger, Pay Less” promotion for Air Berlin passengers who can benefit from competitive rates, including airport car hire from all major UK airports.

The “Drive Bigger, Pay Less” promotion applies to reservations booked before 18th July, for hire until 12th September 2010, while supplies last.

In addition, while topbonus members continue to receive 500 award miles per hire across the Europcar network, as a Premium Partner Europcar will offer double award miles to topbonus customers.

This double award miles offer applies to reservations booked online before 1st October, for hires up to 15th October, 2010.

Throughout this promotional period (i.e. between July 1 and October 15), Europcar will also offer topbonus members “miles bonuses with a difference” which allow customers booking their car hire via the micro-site to choose between “Status” and “Bonus” miles for their reward.

Take time out of your trip to Paris to get to know the feminine side of the story by attending Elles.

PARIS, FRANCE,  – Paris’ Centre Pompidou has opened its doors to a massive exhibition of women’s artwork, which aims to show the feminine side of the National Modern Art Museum’s collection.

Pieces by hugely influential artists such as Frida Kahlo, Maria-Elena Vieira da Silva and Dorothea Tanning all feature in this stunning display.

Visitors from Paris hotels can also expect to see plenty of brilliant artwork by more modern creators such as Sophie Calle and Annette Messager among the many paintings and other items on show.

Running until February 21st 2011, this massive collection is the third time that the Centre Pompidou has displayed a thematic exhibition of the work held by the National Modern Art Museum.

Previously it had investigated the concepts of the Big Bang in 2005 and Image Movements in 2006/07.

The venue explained: “This will be the occasion for the institution … to show its commitment to women artists – nationality and discipline taken together – and place them at the core of modern and contemporary art of the 20th and 21st centuries.”

An exhibition at the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo – entitled Nosotras – recently named Elles as part of its inspiration to showcase an all-female display.

Entrance to this Centre Pompidou exhibition costs EUR12 (GBP9.90), with doors opening from 11:00 to 21:00 local time every day except Tuesday, when the art space is closed.

London Syon Park, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel will open in November. The hotel is based in the 200-acre estate of Syon Park, the grounds of the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Taking its cue from the Syon Pleasure Ground created in the 18th century by landscape designer Lancelot “Capability” Brown, this new jewel in the Waldorf Astoria crown overlooks a captivating landscape and offers a tranquil escape and amenities that define both the Waldorf Astoria experience and the legacy of Syon Park.

For more information, visit www.waldorfastoria.com

The Bentley London – Waldorf Astoria CollectionThis jewel of a 5 star hotel has 64 suites each individually decorated and luxuriously enhanced with the finest silk, marble and discreet but ample quantities of gold leaf. Unique hotel features include a Turkish Hammam at Le Kalon, a beautiful day Spa and Peridot Restaurant. The Hotel has recently joined the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Collection.

Anguilla’s Wallblake Airport has been awarded international airport designation by the International Civil Aviation Organization, and has been renamed the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.

The name honors Anguillan aviation pioneer Clayton J. Lloyd. The airport served as a military airstrip in the 1940s and today accommodates inter-island aircraft and executive jets.

Regional carrier Cape Air recently announced it will add Anguilla to its inter-island Caribbean service on Dec. 22, 2010, while American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines and US Air currently offer connecting service on American Eagle and Anguilla Air Express from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The neighboring island of St. Maarten offers service from the U.S. on Jet Blue, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Spirit, United Airlines and US Air.

Anguilla offers a 20-minute sea ferry service from St. Maarten on public ferries from the Marigot Terminal or from Princess Julianna Airport with operators including Funtime Boat Charters, MV Shauna VI, Footprint Charter, Ferry Link, GB Express or Gotcha Garfields Sea Tour, and No Fear Tours.

For more information, call 877-4ANGUILLA or go to

www.anguilla-vacation.com

Discover Dominica Authority announced that WinAir has resumed its service between major Caribbean hubs and Dominica, making it easier for travelers to visit the destination.

The regional airports servicing the flights to Dominica’s Melville Hall Airport (DOM) are St. Lucia’s George F L Charles Airport (SLU) and St. Maarten (SXM).

WinAir will operate a 19-seat DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft from St. Maarten (SXM) to Dominica.

For more information, visit

www.discoverdominica.com

MakeMyTrip, a leading Indian travel company, is introducing its U.S.-based India tour operation.

The new entity, India Ahoy, will sell exclusively through travel agents and tour operators. MakeMyTrip, founded in 2000, recorded sales of $330 million in the fiscal year ending March 2009 and is the dominant market leader with over 50 percent market share in India.

“We have the relationships and the contracts to offer the most incredible and unique experiences in India at the best possible prices, but we know we cannot service the U.S. leisure traveler the way their own trusted travel professionals can.

We recognize the complexity and commitment of a vacation to India and the value that travel professionals bring to their clients, offering experience, customer service and peace of mind,” said Keyur Joshi, COO of MakeMyTrip and India Ahoy.

“Even with our vast product experience, we know we have a great deal to learn about the U.S. travel market.

We engaged PhoCusWright International and together built a U.S. Travel Agent Advisory Council. These members have been invaluable in helping us learn what we need to do to best service the U.S. travel sellers,” Joshi said. “With their advice, we have created our U.S. portal, www.IndiaAhoy.com

“This site is designed for U.S. travel agents to explore our products, access immediate online support and connect live with our India experts.

The site also serves as a consumer referral site if a consumer happens to contact us directly.

Agents registered with the site will receive the consumer leads and can grow their business. Our end goal is to bring U.S. travelers to experience the wonders of India, and we will not directly service the U.S. leisure traveler but will leave that to their travel agent.”

India Ahoy offers independent and packaged travel options. Each itinerary is meticulously planned and executed in partnership with the traveler’s U.S. travel agent.

Planned, coordinated and directed by an experienced team of specialists, everything from location scouting to the accommodations, meals and air and ground transportation, will be carefully inspected with utmost care and diligence.

India Ahoy’s parent company, MMT, has daily sales in India of more than 200 packages, 1,000 hotel room nights in India and 15,000 air tickets.

Leveraging this power as a leader in travel, India Ahoy guests will always be on the priority list of suppliers for upgrades, special arrangements, complimentary services or last minute booking requests.

India Ahoy offers cultural tours, adventure holidays, wildlife safaris and Ayurveda and wellness tours to luxury indulgences, golfing packages, pilgrimage experiences and romantic breaks. The preferred industry partners of India Ahoy include: Air India, Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways, Taj Hotels, Oberoi Hotels, ITC Hotels, CGH Earth, Sarovar Hotels, WelcomHeritage Hotels (with a total complement over more than 3,000 hotels in India).

Industry affiliations include ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents; IATA, the International Air Transport Association; IATO, the India Association of Tour Operators; IAAI, IATA Agents Association of India; ARC, Airlines Reporting Corporation; the government of India Ministry of Tourism; PATA, Pacific Asia Travel Association; Aussie Specialist (Australian Tourism Board); and a supplier membership with USTOA, the United States Tour Operators Association, among others.

For more information, call 212-760-1511 or visit www.indiaahoy.com

Blue Star Jets, a large private aircraft charter broker, has introduced Mobile Quotes for BlackBerry phones, iPhones and other smart phones.

The free mobile application allows users to look up a flight quote anywhere at any time.

Blue Start Jets has created a network of charter companies that gives it access to over 4,000 aircraft worldwide, ranging from helicopters to Boeing business jets.

Blue Star Jets does not manage or operate aircraft on behalf of their clients; however, the company assists clientele in finding the best operators for any aircraft.

Its staff of aviation specialists solicits competitive bids on each flight request, passing the savings to their clients. Blue Star Jets’ aviation specialists are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, visit www.bluestarjets.com

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa under construction in Ko Olina, Hawaii, will begin accepting reservations for hotel rooms and vacation packages Aug. 2 through the Walt Disney Travel Company. Aulani is scheduled to welcome its first guests on Aug. 29, 2011.

“The beginning of hotel and travel package reservations for Aulani is an exciting moment for us,” said Randy Garfield, president of the Walt Disney Travel Company and executive vice president of Worldwide Sales and Travel Operations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

“Construction of the resort is progressing well on Oahu, and we believe travel agents are going to be impressed at the scope of the stories and the fun guests will be able to experience in Hawaii, with a Disney difference.”

Introductory room rates start at $399 per night.

Guests may choose from a variety of room options, including ocean or garden views.

Age-specific programming for children ages 3 to 10 will include pool parties with Disney characters to excursions into the rainforest and surf to learning how to prepare Hawaiian cuisine with local chefs.

The resort, adjacent to a lagoon and a white-sand beach, features 359 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas.

Rooms are housed in two 15-story towers with views of the ocean, mountains and grounds.

On site are two restaurants, a wedding lawn, conference center, spa center and water activities, including a feature pool, tube floating water course, wading pool, body slides, sunset-facing hot tubs, quiet adult pool, snorkel lagoon and conservation pool.

Aulani will also include a signature kids’ club — Aunty’s Beach House — where kids can explore Hawaiian culture through interactive touch table games and arts and crafts. Aulani is located on 21 acres on the western side of Oahu, in the Ko Olina Resort & Marina development.

The resort is 17 miles from Honolulu International Airport and features access to a Ted Robinson-designed 18-hole championship golf course.

For more information, call 866-50-DISNEY or visit

www.disneytravelagents.com