Jetsettersblog

Thomas Cook will base a fourth aircraft at Newcastle International Airport next summer.

The introduction of the aircraft means that Thomas Cook has reintroduced flights to Bourgas in Bulgaria.

Extra weekly flights will also operate to other holiday destinations such as Paphos, Larnaca, Dalaman, Izmir, Mahon, Ibiza, Palma and Tenerife.

The new aircraft will offer around 70,000 extra seats throughout the summer season, taking the total number of seats available for holidaymakers to around 300,000.

Ian Derbyshire, chief executive officer at Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, said: “This underlines our commitment to the North East and to Newcastle International Airport.

“We are particularly pleased to have made this happen on the back of the problems caused by the recession and the ash cloud crisis. The region has always been strong for us and we see that continuing in the future.”

With the days getting shorter and the cold winter months around the corner the Balearic Islands entice people to visit as the destination is an exotic and warm getaway all year round. The many wellness resorts and spas make sure visitors relax, detox and regain energy during their stay whilst offering a cultural and gastronomic experience for those who do not want to miss out on the authentic Mediterranean experience.

Ibiza
Can Curreu

At Can Curreu, the recently opened spa offers guests a range of facilities including a hammam, sauna, indoor pool and Jacuzzi. The treatments range from an Anti-aging Facial Lift to strengthen the facial muscles and combat the weakness of the skin to a full body Energy Ritual involving a full body mud wrap to re-mineralise the skin, followed by a relaxing body massage to nourish and loosen tired muscles.

Guests at Can Curreu can also take advantage of the property’s own horse stables for a great way of discovering the idyllic countryside and nearby beaches.

In the evenings, sample the Mediterranean cuisine of Toni Rodriguez, one of the draws at this elegant and inviting hotel or relax next to the open fire.

As well as brand new spa facilities, the hotel also has seven new rooms, each with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with hydro-massage bath and a private terrace area with wonderful countryside views. Can Curreu is close to Santa Eulária, a picturesque fishing town on the Southern coast of Ibiza.
For more information or to book, please visit www.cancurreu.com

Aguas de Ibiza

As the name suggests, the five star hotel is all about water and guests can choose from a wide range of treatments in its Revival Spa. Located in the peaceful marina of Santa Eulária, Aguas de Ibiza features stunning views which can be experienced to the fullest during a swim in the roof top pool.

After the three day rejuvenating treatment, guests are bound to feel energised and years younger. Day visitors are equally as welcome and can benefit from full access to the thermal area, various saunas and relaxation areas.
On more than 1500m2, nature lovers will be blown away by the vast variety of eco-treatments.

After a day of wellness activities, visitors can enjoy the magnificent sunset from the chill-out terrace with views all over Santa Eulária.

For more information or to book, please visit www.aguasdeibiza.com

Mallorca
Son Brull

Located between Palma and Pollença, Son Brull is the perfect getaway for visitors who want to add a little bit of spice to their relaxation holiday and practise leisure activities such as golf, cycling, creative cooking or wine degustation. All products used in wellness treatments are handmade and locally grown.

Ingredients for the relaxing experience include olive and almond oil, aloe vera and honey. The Oliveda Spa built in an old monastery offers anti-aging treatments with the power of the olive tree.

The rural hotel features a remarkable interior patio and stunning views of the surrounding countryside as well as an outdoor pool and chill-out area.

For more information or to book, please visit www.sonbrull.com

Cas Comte
The five star hotel unites the traditional Spanish building with a spectacular luxurious interior. Situated near Palma and the popular resorts of Pollença and Alcúdia, Cas Comte offers the latest relaxation methods such as a massage technique that integrates shiatsu, a form of therapy that has its roots in ancient Japan.

Located in Mallorca’s lush green country side, the hotel awaits its guests with exquisite food and interesting wine.

For more information, please visit www.hotelcascomte.com

Balneario San Juan de la Fontsanta

This is Mallorca’s only spa with medicinal-mineral thermal spring waters and prides itself for being a refuge for health and well-being. The natural underground water contains salts which can be used for therapeutic purposes.

Having been completely renovated over the past five years, the Balneario San Juan de la Fontsanta now features state-of-the-art facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, a vaporarium and a refurbished Jacuzzi room.

The vaporarium is an artificial grotto with outdoor views and can reach temperatures of up to 39 degrees.

The hotel is located in a typical Mallorcan property that was inaugurated in 1845 and still carries its traditional charms.
For more information or to book, please visit www.balneariofontsanta.com

Menorca
Hotel Capri

Situated in Mahon, the capital of Menorca, Hotel Capri is a short walk away from the buzzing city centre and only a stone’s throw from some of the most beautiful beaches.

Visitors who don’t want to miss out on urban life while residing in a more secluded wellness temple will find this hotel being the perfect choice.

The wellness area is located on the top floor so that guests can enjoy stunning views overlooking the city while lying in the Jacuzzi or topping up their tan in the terrace-solarium.

The spa area on the fifth floor also features cubicles that are used for personalised health and beauty treatments. In the winter-months, when the temperatures might not be quite as high, the roof-top swimming pool is heated.
For more information or to book, please visit

www.artiemhotels.com/en-menorca/hotel-capri/the-hotel.html

Hotel Port Ciudadella

Part of Seth Hotels, which are known for stylish and luxurious facilities, Hotel Port Ciudadella enjoys a privileged location on the shores of Playa Grande, only a short distance from the centre of Ciudadella, a charming town on the west coast of Menorca.

The spa area fulfills all the needs of a more urban hotel with a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath and beauty centre.

The hot stone massage is a popular treat for guests who would like to take home some heat to Britain during the cold winter months.

For more information or to book, please visit http://www.sethotels.com/en-det-hotel-port-ciutadella-3.php

Titan HiTours Expands Its VIP Home Departure Service For Customers

Titan HiTours (0800 988 5858, www.titanhitours.co.uk ), the escorted tours specialist, has expanded its VIP Home Departure Service to cover mainland Scotland, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland. This popular service – previously only available to customers based in mainland England and Wales – allows for every customer to be picked up from their home address, transferred to their departure point and returned to their own front door at the end of their holiday.

What’s more, this fantastic service is available at no extra cost, ensuring complete convenience and incredible value for money for every customer, no matter where they live in the United Kingdom.

This new service now entitles customers in mainland Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland to a home pick-up and door-to-door transfer to their nearest regional airport, plus free domestic flights to the London airports to connect with any international departure (or free onward connections to the major seaports for those taking an ex-UK cruise).

This means that customers can get into the holiday spirit from the moment they leave home and ensures that their entire Titan HiTours experience gets off to a flying start.

The incredible value of the VIP Home Departure Service is especially noticeable on Titan HiTours’ excellent selection of cruise holidays with direct departures from the south coast seaports.

The company has just launched its brand new Cruise Collection brochure for 2011 that features a choice of 16 ex-UK departures – including four new itineraries that are being introduced to the programme for the first time.

For example, the 9-day Fjordland Adventure cruise, which departs from Dover on 1 July, 2011 and costs from £1,095 per person, combines a leisurely crossing of the North Sea with a thorough exploration of Norway’s stunning coastal fjords and includes full-board accommodation aboard the Fred. Olsen ship Black Watch; an excursion in Stavanger; services of a Titan HiTours tour manager; all port taxes; and the VIP Home Departure Service from anywhere in the UK.

Departures from Southampton are also included, such as the 13-day Canary Islands Easter Cruise which departs from Southampton on 15 April, 2011 and costs from £1,195 per person. Taking in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and the sunshine islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Madeira, plus a leisurely five full days at sea. Or the 11-day Springtime Iberian Sunshine itinerary which costs from £995 per person, and departs Southampton over the Easter weekend on 23 April with stops in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Gibraltar. Both prices include full-board accommodation, services of a Titan HiTours tour manager, all port taxes and the VIP Home Departure Service.

Commenting on this development, James Hewlett, Head of Marketing said, “We are delighted to be able to extend our VIP Home Departure Service to our valued clients in Scotland, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland. The service offers the perfect way to start and end a Titan HiTours holiday in style and has come to epitomise the quality, high standards and value for money for which Titan HiTours is renowned.”

For details or to book call Titan HiTours on 0800 988 5858 or visit the website
www.titanhitours.co.uk

Radisson Blu has announced its new sales structure at the Radisson Blu Hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Radisson Blu has announced that the sales departments of its three hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia are now working together as one team, thus forming a strong unity in all sales, marketing and PR related matters.

For both media representatives and hotel customers, the merge of the three teams represents a great benefit.

Claudia Tewes, who was in charge of the Sales and Marketing department in the Radisson Blu Hotel Cologne, is now also Director of Sales and Marketing for the Dusseldorf hotels – the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel and the Radisson Blu Media Harbour Hotel.

“Our nine sales persons have an extended radius of action now. Synergies and financial resources can be used much better, and of course we also hope to increase revenue for all three hotels,” commented Jurgen Wirtz, District Director of the region North Rhine-Westphalia.

The sales teams of these hotels in Dusseldorf and Cologne will maintain their headquarters, but by concentrating all information and sales forces, a compact and effective service for media representatives and customers as well as a better awareness of the brand ‘Radisson Blu’ in North Rhine-Westphalia is guaranteed.

All marketing related issues will now be handled, coordinated and distributed as an integrated whole.

Due to the simplified exchange of experiences among the hotels the marketing budget can now be used very efficiently. Creative processes such as brainstorming involve more staff and therefore lead to many new, surprising ideas.

As the three teams are located in different hotels, getting to know each other and establishing a positive and effective communication is crucial. Therefore regular cluster meetings and joint sales trips are scheduled for the whole team.

To ensure that all sales staff had a good knowledge of each of the hotels, they were made to check in as guests, use all the services and benefits – and were surprised by the individuality of each house.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Cologne, is located next to the fairground within a short distance of the city centre, and provides 393 modern hotel rooms and suites in a classy, warm ambiance. The ten meeting rooms can accommodate up to 250 persons.

The stylish Radisson Blu Media Harbour Hotel in Dusseldorf was designed by Matteo Thun, a world famous hotel designer, and provides 135 luxurious, modern guest rooms and suites. The hotel offers two meeting rooms for up to 24 delegates and a private dining area for up to 16 guests.

Located only 200 meters from the river Rhine, the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel offers 309 rooms and suites in the style of a classic grand luxury Dusseldorf hotel, along with 19 flexible meeting rooms for 6 to 650 delegates.

“Although all three hotels are part of the same brand and living up to the same standards, they differ enormously in size, style and location. However, all hotels have one thing in common: For our employees the guest always comes first – “No” as an answer to a guest’s request is no option. Even though we are extremely flexible in all regards, our “Yes I Can” – Philosophy is unalterable,” Jurgen Wirtz explained.

About Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts

Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, part of the Rezidor Hotel Group, currently operates over 155 hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with another 47 projects under development.

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of more than 400 hotels in operation and under development including hotels in London, hotels in Paris and hotels in Rome, with more than 86,300 rooms in over 60 countries.

Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the goldpoints plus SM loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests.

The Corporate Office of the Rezidor Hotel Group is based in Brussels, Belgium.

Swinton Park’s Spa and Treatment Rooms have launched a new Wellness Day, combining a holistic approach to health with a day of relaxation and detox.

The day is ideal as a Christmas Gift Voucher, with dates running from New Year 2011 onwards, and offers women time out to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities and also the opportunity to review their lifestyle and diet.

Guests attending the day will be able to enjoy :

1. The use of the hotel’s spa, with sauna and Jacuzzi, and relaxation room
2. A half hour detox massage
3. A mini manicure or pedicure
4. A consultation with nutritionalist Kate Chaytor-Norris
5. A cookery demonstration focussing on health and diet and followed by lunch served at the demonstration table

The nutritionalist attending the day will be Kate Chaytor-Norris, who specialises in women’s health and wellbeing (including hormone balancing), and weight loss.

The cookery courses will be run by the Cookery School Chef, Robert Taylor, and the products used in the spa will be from [comfort zone] and Jessica.

The day costs £90 per person. Bookings can be made for groups and individuals, and the maximum number attending a day is 8. The Wellness Days will be running on Mondays on :

- 10th January
- 7th February
- 7th March
- 4th April
- 9th May
- 13th June
with more dates to follow for the rest of the year.

InnerSea Discoveries, a new small-ship line that is a sister company to American Safari Cruises, plans to begin operations in Alaska in May.

The company says its four seven- to 14-night itineraries are designed to take advantage of the wildlife in Alaska.

Rather than just being an observer, guests are invited to participate in daily included activities, such as kayaking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, exploration by small water craft and more.

The activities will cater to all levels of abilities.

Guests can choose a tranquil paddle along the shoreline or a robust guided six-hour paddle and hike at Deep Cove. All itineraries feature a call at the authentic town/communities of Wrangell or Klawock.

The itineraries include seven-night cruises between Ketchikan and Juneau, a 14-night Juneau roundtrip and 14-night voyage between Seattle and Juneau.

The itineraries are purposely flexible so nature can set the schedule — if a pod of Humpback whales is frolicking in Frederick Sound, the ship will stop and linger.

The expedition ships Wilderness Adventurer and Wilderness Discoverer each accommodate 50 passengers with a 1:3 crew-to-guest ratio.

The vessels carry gear such as Diamond Trail compact hiking poles, Necky tandem kayaks and Surftech softop stand-up paddle boards. Onboard naturalists present topical information and serve as guides on excursions.

Both vessels are undergoing full refurbishment with enhancements being added such as underwater cameras mounted on the bows, kayak-launching floats, flat-screen TVs/DVDs/iPod docks in all cabins, 24-hour streaming video from the underwater camera or DVDs, memory-foam mattresses; and main salons designed with the blended feel of a 1940s National Park Service lodge and a neighborhood pub.

Optional excursions include a package that includes kayaking, hiking and overnight camping with a guide; searching for bears at the Anan Creek Bear Observatory by river boat; and a half-day of sport fishing at Little Port Walter.

InnerSeas Discoveries offers three departure dates aimed at kids on June 25, July 23 and Aug. 13.

Activities include kayaking, hiking, meeting local families such as oyster farmers or commercial fishermen, and presentations designed to appeal to kids as well as adults.

Kids 12 years and under receive a 30 percent savings in all cabin categories.

A savings of 25 percent is available on all other departure dates.

Prices for the seven-night cruises start at $1,795 per person, double occupancy, and include transfers and all activities except the optional excursions.

Port charges of $167 per person per week, massages and spirits are extra.

For more information, call 877-901-1009 or visit www.innseadiscoveries.com

SOUTHWEST Idaho- Families scouting for new adventures search no further.

Southwest Idaho is full of excitement for every generation.

In winter, mountain areas like Bogus Basin and Brundage have more than just tons of powder.

How about taking the kids on an elk-viewing sleigh ride or zooming down an 800 foot tubing hill?

To get into the holiday spirit enjoy cookies and winter tales aboard Thunder Mountain Rail’s North Pole Express.

In spring, as the snow begins to melt, head into Boise to experience a bit of culture and history.

Catch live performances by Ballet Idaho and Prairie Dog Productions or for something a bit more interactive visit the Boise Art Museum and the Discovery Center of Idaho.

During summer relax or get pumped paddling at Kelly’s Whitewater Park.

Officially opened in June 2010, this natural whitewater park has 5 manmade features for tubers to skilled kayakers, a 2600 sq foot welcome center with exhibits on local heritage, and plenty of space to sit back and watch the action.

After drying off, check out Idaho’s longest ziplines at Zip Idaho.

As autumn brings cooler temperatures there’s still plenty to explore. Spend an afternoon watching wildlife at Bruneau Dunes State Park or riding bikes through Boise’s Greenbelt.

Getting here is easy with Boise’s international airport serviced by many national carriers. Once here there’s no shortage of lodging options- from mountain yurts to recognizable chains.

Start planning your next family vacation to southwest Idaho.

www.visitsouthwestidaho.org

Four Points by Sheraton will open a second Tucson hotel this month with a 150-room property steps from Tucson International Airport.

Located on a five-acre oasis at 7060 S. Tucson Blvd., Four Points Tucson Airport is situated within five miles of major corporate headquarters and government operations, including the Arizona Air National Guard, the Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Raytheon, Lockheed-Martin, Texas Instruments, Intuit, LearJet, Boeing and Bombardier.

For corporate guests, Four Points Tucson Airport features 3,500 square feet of flexible meeting space with a 55-inch wireless-remote flat-screen monitor.

The hotel’s new R&R Grill and Sports Bar will offer Arizona-tinged American cooking in a relaxing dining room that overlooks the pool and garden. And the pool, in a quiet courtyard, offers an “oasis” in the desert, surrounded by palm trees and 180-million-year-old petrified wood.

News of the opening comes on the heels of the Four Points brand’s announcement of its milestone 150th hotel.

The Four Points brand’s momentum will continue into 2011 as it opens in business and travel hubs around the world. With the openings,

Four Points will command a presence in 28 countries, up from 24 this year.

CEDAR CITY, Utah – Cedar Breaks National Monument is an often overlooked treasure nestled between southwestern Utah’s well-known Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.

This 2,000 ft. deep, 3 mile wide amphitheater is the result of millions of years of sedimentation, uplift and erosion, and is home to many of the geological features made famous by its neighboring national parks; ridges, pinnacles, buttresses, hoodoos, fins, natural windows, and archeological sites are all present in Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Cedar Breaks’ wildflower fields and alpine forests of aspens, fir, pine and spruce make the 6-mile scenic drive though the National Monument one of the West’s most spectacular fall foliage viewing drives. Cedar Breaks is also home to the Bristlecone Pine, one of the oldest living trees on earth.

Some of Cedar Breaks’ Bristlecone Pines are well over 2,000 years old. Cedar Breaks National Monument is also famous for its exceedingly dark night skies and outstanding star gazing opportunities.

With all its natural beauty and splendor, Cedar Breaks is incredibly accessible, just a 30 minute drive from Cedar City, UT and a mere 2 miles from the resort town of Brian Head, UT.

www.scenicsouthernutah.com

FRANKFORT, KY –As the talk of 2011 travel ideas rolls in, Kentucky offers plenty of great things to see and do in the great outdoors at a great value for your travel dollar.

Kentucky State Parks are “fee free” every day.

No need to wait for a weekend special to get a break on admission to parks located in every region of the commonwealth.

Of the 52 gorgeous parks that make up the Kentucky State Park System (widely referred to as the “nation’s finest”), 17 are resort parks with lodges and dining facilities.

Surround yourself with spectacular vistas and scenic beauty—a perfect time to soak up the foliage and refreshing air.

Enjoy buffet dinners or order off the menu which includes Kentucky Proud products as available.

Or if your vacation home is on wheels, pull up to a park campground and wile away stunning nights under the stars.

For more information about park locations, amenities, special events and reservations, log on to