Jetsettersblog

This wildlife volunteer vacation will take you to the beautiful Khomas Hochland (highlands) in central Namibia to conduct a survey of African cats (leopard, cheetah, caracal, etc.) and their interrelationship with humans and prey animals (such as giraffe, eland, kudu, zebras, etc.).

As part of a small international team you will learn some bush skills and then follow collared cats on foot and in the expedition Land Rovers to record information about the animal’s behavior, working alongside real scientists.

Volunteers also conduct game counts and participate in community education and capacity-building work, which may vary from accompanying groups of school children out on game drives/hikes in the bush associated with conservation talks, to collecting demographic data.

You may also assist with cat capturing and collaring.

This landmark volunteer vacation is an effort to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and create a sustainable future for all, and with the ultimate aim of creating a protected area in the Khomas Hochland.

For more information visit

www.biosphere-expeditions.org

The Savute Channel, one of the greatest sources of mystery and fascination in Northern Botswana, is flowing again after nearly 30 years of lying dormant.

Covering over sixty miles as it flows from the Linyanti River, it is only a matter of days before it reaches its final destination in the middle of the Chobe National Park.

Herds of wildlife are now arriving at the site of this fresh new watering hole, and now African Travel Inc. is offering travelers the opportunity to experience Botswana at a lower price for the 2010 season.

African Travel, Inc., a company that specializes in offering super-luxe journeys to Africa, recently announced special offers on Botswana safaris for the 2010 season.

Perhaps the finest game experience in the whole of Africa, Botswana has become a legendary destination within a small circle of safari connoisseurs.

This special offer gives travelers the opportunity to experience an 8 day safari to the “Last Refuge” for prices starting at $3650.

The pristine and well-managed wildlife reserves in Botswana, along with the small and intimate nature of the camp sites, promise visitors a highly personalized and active game viewing adventure.

The camps, although secluded, are surprisingly sophisticated, attending to all comforts in a style that’s uniquely African. Travelers will discover one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas with game viewing in three different ecosystems.

Other highlights include savoring freshly prepared meals while in the ‘bush’ with culinary creations designed to tempt every palate, searching for wildlife in specially-equipped open safari vehicles with expert guides and local trackers, and maximizing safari thrills with small bush plane transfers between camps that give travelers the chance to see Botswana wildlife from the air.

www.africantravelinc.com

NAIROBI, Kenya –Rekero Camp is situated at what is recognized as the prime site within the Masai Mara Game Reserve, close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek River , ten minutes from the main Wildebeest crossings during the migration.

The camp overlooks large pools populated with hippo and crocodile, and offers some of the finest big cat viewing in Africa.

The camp is set up seasonally (June-October, December-March) and caters to a maximum of eighteen guests.

Gerard and Rainee Beaton and Jackson Ole Looseyia own and host this unique camp.

Their team of Professional Masaai Safari Guides and camp crew have worked together for years providing guests with an indepth and truly memorable Masai Mara experience. Accommodation is in 8 spacious tents, all with ensuite bathrooms.

www.bush-and-beyond.com

Iceland Express is launching three new US routes throughout 2010 and 2011.

The airline, which will also take its New York Newark flights daily from June 2011, is adding Orlando, Chicago and Boston to its network.

The Orlando service will run on a temporary basis from 2-24 October 2010 and will fly every Saturday from London Gatwick, with return flights departing on a Sunday. Prices will start at £224 one-way including taxes.

The weekly Chicago service launches on 10 June 2011 and will operate every Friday from London Gatwick. Flights will start from £221 one-way including taxes.

Flights to Boston will begin on 13 June 2011 and Iceland Express will depart from London Gatwick four times a week, Monday to Thursday. Prices will start from £231 one-way including taxes.

Iceland Express will offer a stopover in Reykjavik for all flights to the USA.

Its London to Winnipeg route, which launched temporarily in June 2010, will also be returning on 12 June 2011.

Prices will start from £233 one-way including taxes.

The Tropicana Las Vegas has opened Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine as part of its Phase 1 $165 million transformation.

Biscayne offers prime cuts, Safe Harbor-certified fresh seafood, an original wine list and Latin libations like classic caipirinhas and key lime margaritas.

The restaurant is designed in tropical South Beach style. Biscayne is open Thursday through Monday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

For reservations, call 800-462-8767. For hotel information, call 888-826-8767 or visit www.troplv.com

Animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts have begun at the Nature Park, one of four parks in the Campo del Mar Park System in Trujillo, Honduras.

The development is one of several projects planned for the country’s northern coast.

The projects are being developed in conjunction with Banana Coast, a Honduran cruise port slated to begin operations in 2012.

The Nature Park is designed to help in the preservation and rehabilitation of Honduras’ native fauna, and includes a 42-foot-high by 50-foot-diameter monkey habitat housing eight monkeys rescued by the Natural Resource Authorities and the National Institute of Conservation and Forestry Development, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF).

In addition to rescuing and rehabilitating animals, the Nature Park will serve to educate visitors about Honduras’ wildlife.

Other facilities planned for the park include crocodile, reptile and jaguar habitats.

The 80-acre system will also include a Wildlife Park, Riverside Recreational Park and Heritage Park. Banana Coast will highlight the natural and historical attractions of Trujillo plus Banana Coast Landing, a themed retail district featuring 50,000 square feet of shopping, restaurants and an excursion marina.

For more information, visit www.bananacoast.com

Vail Resorts, Inc., has introduced EpicMix, an online and mobile application for the 2010-11 ski and snowboard season.

EpicMix allows Vail Resorts guests, at any of its five mountain resorts — Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly — to effortlessly utilize technology to digitally capture their ski and ride experience and share it with friends and family.

EpicMix is a digital application that guests can access online, at their computer or via a free mobile application that can be downloaded for the iPhone, Android or other smart phone.

EpicMix automatically captures the activity of guests throughout each of its resorts, by leveraging Vail Resorts’ state-of-the-art radio frequency (RF) scanners that are being installed at each of its 89 lifts across all five mountain resorts.

An RF-enabled chip embedded in Vail Resorts’ season passes and PEAKS lift tickets will automatically track guests’ lift rides, calculating vertical feet skied and days on the mountain and will recognize special achievements and accomplishments by granting guests commemorative, collectible digital pins.

EpicMix will have hundreds of available digital pins for a multitude of unique experiences available at each resort.

EpicMix will also allow guests to share their statistics and accomplishments through updates on Twitter and Facebook and guests can create special EpicMix leader boards with their Facebook friends.

The EpicMix mobile application will alert guests when any of their Facebook friends are skiing and where they are on the mountain.

The application will also allow guests to send messages to their private groups of Facebook friends on the mountain.

The mobile application will also provide trail and grooming information, snow and weather reports, as well as resort news and traffic updates.

EpicMix will also have a special website for kids under the age of 14, which will allow them to connect with their parents’ accounts, but will have content designed specifically for them and unique pins only kids can earn. The kids’ site also will have special privacy restrictions.

Parents will also be able to use EpicMix to track the lift rides of their kids in real time.

For more information, visit www.epicmix.com

Aeromar and Continental Airlines, a Star Alliance member, have signed a partnership frequent flyer program agreement.

Now, OnePass program members will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Aeromar. In addition, Continental international first and business class passengers, Presidents Club members and Star Alliance Gold customers may access Aeromar’s Salon Diamante lounge in Mexico City. Aeromar is a regional Mexican airline founded in 1987.

Delta Air Lines has introduced a new dining experience at its four Delta Sky Clubs at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). offering made-to-order meals for purchase and expanded beverage options through a full-service café and bar.

The new Sky Club dining experience is one of several substantial investments the airline is making in New York.

“The new Sky Club café concept at JFK is another step in Delta’s efforts to enhance the customer experience in New York in the air and on the ground and become New York’s preferred airline,” said Gail Grimmett, Delta’s senior vice president-New York.

“The new dining offerings are a direct response to member requests for more substantial meal options in our Clubs, and we’re confident the new full-service cafés we’ve developed with OTG will offer a truly superior customer experience.”

The new cafes, developed exclusively for Delta and operated by airport restaurateur OTG Management, include dedicated seating areas within the Sky Clubs where customers can enjoy made-to-order breakfast options, sandwiches, salads, small plates and desserts for purchase.

The cafés also offer an extensive wine and beer selection, along with premium liquors.

In addition to dining at the café, Sky Club members also can order from the menu and dine anywhere in the Club. Delta Sky Clubs continue to offer members complimentary snacks and beverages.

The JFK Sky Clubs are located in Terminal 3 near Gate 11 and the Duty Free shop adjacent to Gate 12 and on the 4th floor across from Gate 6; as well as in Terminal 2 on the Mezzanine Level, near Gate 23.

Delta said it is continuing to make substantial investments in the New York market, including recently announced plans, along with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK International Air Terminal LLC, to enhance and expand Terminal 4 at JFK. Delta also is reinventing the customer dining experience at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, in partnership with OTG Management, with the introduction of 13 new food and beverage concepts from some of New York City’s top chefs.

For more information, visit www.delta.com/skyclub

The 21212 Restaurant, one of five restaurants in Edinburgh to receive a Michelin star this year, only eight months after opening, has joined Connoisseurs Scotland’s collection of luxury properties.

At just over one year old, the “restaurant with rooms” (four deluxe guest rooms) has received an impressive amount of positive kudos and accolades — including Restaurant Newcomer of the Year and Restaurant of the Year at this year’s “Catering in Scotland Excellence Awards.”

Chef Paul Kitching, a veteran of several other Michelin-starred restaurants including Juniper, opened 21212 in May 2009 to positive reviews and numerous awards, including Best New Restaurant in the UK 2009 at the National Restaurant Awards.

The Georgian townhouse underwent a £4.5million ($7 million) renovation and features an eclectic mix of period pieces and modern, environmentally conscious amenities.

The 38-seat restaurant consists of an open kitchen, drawing room, private dining, and four luxury bedrooms, each uniquely designed and equipped with private bath, plasma television and internet.

The five-course gourmet dinner menu is offered at £65 ($101) per person, while the lunch menu is priced from £25 ($39) per person and offers guests the option of two to five courses.

For more information, email reservations@21212restaurant.co.uk  or visit www.luxuryscotland.co.uk.