Jetsettersblog

Sale in Central Gippsland , one of Victoria’s historic townships is located on the Victorian leg of Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive.

Captains Lodge International, situated at the outskirts of Sale, is the ideal venue to explore the stunning beauty and diversity of Gippsland, its pristine beaches, spectacular National Parks and picturesque Gippsland Lakes as well as moderate rain forests and High County.

Established and family operated since 1985, Captains Lodge International is set amidst 3.5 acres of picturesque garden with a swimming pool and charming barbeque area. The comfortable well appointed rooms have direct access to the garden and pool. Watch the rainbow lorikeets feed and play, enjoy a spectacular sunset or just unwind in the space and tranquility of our garden.

Our restaurant takes you on a culinary journey. Indulge in the best Gippsland has to offer and experience the fusion of traditional Viennese cuisine with the flavours of Gippsland Sample some marinated Kangaroo or local Venison accompanied by Serviettenknödel and red cabbage paired with an excellent Gippsland Shiraz or a delicious Baurnschmaus prepared with local fresh and smoked free range pork including Sauerkraut and and all the trimmings.

Most week ends, weather permitting, we fire up a chimera and grill a range of spicy sausages and a variety of marinated meats including the occasional leg of lamb or crunchy roast pork.

The smokiness of the chimera ads a whole new dimension to the meal. Our signature dessert Apfelstrudel as well as local cheeses and fruit bread conclude the meal.

During the past 12 months we have undertaken extensive renovations and refurbishments.

From installing 4 large water tanks to keep our garden and pool going, while conserve precious drinking water. We switched to environmentally friendly heat pumps for all units to conserve energy.

Experience the stunning beauty of Gippslands pristine coastal environment, the white sandy beaches, the lush rolling hills with picturesque villages dotted throughout the countryside, all offering their own unique Australian experience.

Discover Australia’s biggest and most expansive inland waterways the beautiful Gippsland Lakes. Come to face with the abundant wildlife like kangaroos, wombats and wallabies and many colourful birds in the beautiful National Parks

The picturesque 90 mile beach, the longest uninterrupted sand beach in the world, with its golden white sand and rolling surf is just a 20 minute drive, the moderate rainforest in Tarra Bulga National Park with its lush tree ferns and towering mountain ashes invite for a walk, the Gippsland Lakes with the rich bird life present themselves for a leisurely stroll or a sailing adventure and the High country offers itself for bushwalking and a visit to a traditional Australian county pub to meet the locals for a yarn and a beer!

For the adventurous there is horse riding on bush trails, sailing in the Gippsland Lakes, camping bushwalking and 4 wheel driving, fishing in mountain streams,the possibilities are endless!

There are art Galleries, Sale is the home of internationally acclaimed wildlife artist, Annemieke Mein, who is based in Sale, has brilliantly captured in textile the rare beauty of Gippsland’s flora and fauna, including that which inhabits the wetlands.

Her work as well as other important collections may be viewed at the Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale.

The historic swing bridge built in 1880 is Australia’s oldest, intact, moveable bridge of its type.

Close by are extensive wetlands which are internationally important for migratory birds which invite for a pleasant evening walk at the end of the day.

For wine lovers there are a dozen picturesque wineries who invite for tasting of the excellent local wines.

We also offer one of our 2 or 3 day wine & food packages with visits to a range of local Wineries where you can sample Gippsland’s awards winning wines, a picnic at the sandy golden 90 mile beach, some spectacular National parks and other attractions in the area.

Gippsland is the secret jewel in the crown of Victoria’s nature based destinations.

‘Tee-Time’ In The Caribbean As Resort Launches Exclusive Golf Package

A leading Saint Lucian Resort is enticing golfers onto the green with its new ‘Tee-Time’ golf package when they stay for a minimum of four nights.

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, along with neighbouring Saint Lucia Golf and Country Club, are offering golfers a chance to play on the island’s only 18-hole championship golf course. Guests can tee-off amid the scenic rolling hills and panoramic views of the Atlantic and Caribbean, followed by relaxation at the award-winning beach resort.

Guests enjoying the package at the add on rate of ($390 US) around £246.00* (which can also be shared amongst two people) are treated to four rounds of golf on the esteemed 6,186 yard par 71 course, convenient round trip transfers, Windjammer Landing golf balls and a resort t-shirt.

Sun Dollars (resort credits) are also included in this promotion with up to £126 * per night being offered based on room category.

These can then be used against room upgrades, spa treatments, excursions and other resort activities.

Guests can further opt to have an all-inclusive vacation at around £95* per person per night which includes all food, beverages, activities, tax and service.

Windjammer Landing’s managing director Anthony Bowen, said: “Windjammer Landing is delighted to present the perfect golf vacation package in Saint Lucia. Our renowned, spacious villas and suites with panoramic Caribbean views plus our warm, friendly service is sure to be appreciated by golfers during their Caribbean vacation with us in addition to our remarkable fall savings.”

The Mediterranean style villas and suites are situated within 60 exotic acres on the North-West point of Saint Lucia close to the island capital Castries, overlooking beautiful white beaches and Labrelotte Bay.

With picturesque settings, gourmet dining, Serenity Spa and 1,500 feet of white sand beaches, Windjammer Landing is a perfect retreat for couples, honeymooners, families and travellers alike.

This year additionally marks the 21st birthday of Windjammer Landing and to celebrate, a $500,000 villa refurbishment programme is being undertaken to restore 20 villas to the original, architect Ian Morrison’s, designs.

Plans include granite work surfaces in the kitchens, rustic fabrics throughout, Balinese prints and hand painted Mexican sinks and tiles in the bathrooms.

The refurbishment programme is set to be completed by the end of October 2010.

Seven nights at Windjammer with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to St Lucia, accommodation at the 4V Windjammer Landing Hotel on a room only basis with transfers included starts from £1,569.

Prices are per person based on 2 adults travelling and sharing a standard room price includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on departures 01 Jan – 06 April 2011. To book: www.virginholidays.co.uk  0844 557 3859.

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, Labrelotte Bay, PO Box 1504 Castries Saint Lucia, Tel: FREEPHONE from the UK on 0808 101 7261 or book via www.windjammer-landing.com.
*prices may vary due to exchange rates

Despite what many tour operators are reporting, 2011 will once again be a year of bargains on travel. Sceptre Tours is now offering an exclusive Ireland Spring Vacation package for travel from March 12 to Sept. 30 with rates starting as low as $699 per person including air, six nights accommodations (hotel, bed and breakfast, and five-star castle resort), and rental car.

If travelers were to put this same package together themselves they would be paying at least $700 more per couple.

The package includes the first night hotel accommodation at the four-star Croke Park Hotel in Dublin; four nights at Irish Farmhouse Bed & Breakfasts (there are over 450 to choose from); one night at the five-star Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in Limerick; roundtrip trans-Atlantic economy class airfare to Dublin; weekly manual shift car rental with unlimited mileage; and a historical tour at Adare Manor.

The package is priced from $699 from New York, $719 from Boston, $799 from Chicago, and $1,159 from San Francisco for travel from March 12 to April 30.

Rates are slightly higher for travel from May 1 to Sept. 30 and lower for travel Jan. 28 to March 11.

All rates are per person based on double occupancy, applicable to Monday and Tuesday departures, and exclude government taxes/fees/facility charges of up to $180 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for US enplanements.

A limited number of rooms are available for this package and it is subject to availability and black-out dates apply.

Travelers can also opt to enhance this package with the following upgrades (prices quoted are per person): B&B Car Upgrade, $50, includes upgrade to Town & Country B&B’s and an automatic car rental with GPS (total value of $200); or Deluxe Upgrade, $150, includes upgrade to Town & Country B&B’s, an automatic car rental with GPS, and an upgrade to a Deluxe Room at Adare Manor with a dinner (total value of $500). Additional nights are $75 per night. Each option includes extra days of car rental. Business class upgrades are from $599 each way on Aer Lingus from January onwards.

To book business class air, call Sceptre’s concierge at 800-221-0924.

For more information, visit www.sceptretours.com

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will be entering 2011 with the exciting opening of Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, set to open on the 20th January 2011.

This hotel will be the third Rosewood property in Mexico and will mark Rosewoods move into the rural heart of the country.

“Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is situated in one of Mexico’s most enchanting colonial towns and we have created the hotel to incorporate the regions style and history,” comments John Scott, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts CEO.

“Guests will enjoy the world-class service for which Rosewood is renowned as well as the resorts inspiring surrounds and amenities.

We wanted to create a resort that would offer guests the highest quality of luxury and service while combining a sense of place.

We believe by only offering 67 rooms and suites as well as five restaurants, Sense, A Rosewood Spa, outdoor hikes, horseback riding and much more our guests will get the very most out of Rosewood San Miguel de Allende and the hotels beautiful surroundings.”

Positioned in the heart of historic San Miguel de Allende, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende will introduce an entirely new level of sophistication yet quiet elegance to this colonial town.

The town itself, nestled in the mountains north of Mexico City, is one of central Mexico’s oldest towns. Founded in 1542 by a Franciscan monk named Juan de San Miguel the region became an important stop over on the Antigua Camino Real (part of the silver route from Zacatecas) meaning that it is brimming with Mexican history.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, well known throughout the world for its hotels and resorts of distinction.

Defined by iconic properties that include The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York City, Las Ventanas al Parasío, A Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, and the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts offer exceptional service, luxury amenities and meticulous attention to detail.

As with all Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende embraces the company’s ‘A Sense of Place™’ philosophy that finds expression in every aspect of the guest experience, from exceptional architectural details and elegant interiors to flawlessly delivered service and innovative culinary concepts that reflect the local culture.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende pays true homage to the history and style of the town, with 67 spacious guest rooms that have been beautifully appointed in the colonial style of the resorts surrounding.

All of the suites offer wood beamed ceilings, fireplaces and furnishings of the finest Mexican craftsmanship and have enchanting views over El Centro, the resorts lush gardens and pool area or the fabulous city skyline.

Ground-level rooms and suites are graced with a private terrace and are a footstep away from the hotels gardens while accommodation on the first and second floors offer private balconies perfect for lazy days spent admiring the city views of San Miguel and the countryside beyond.

Guests of Rosewood San Miguel de Allende can choose from a selection of leisure facilities, including three pools, a 4,000-square-foot Sense Spa featuring five treatment rooms and a couple’s suite, heat and steam rooms and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.

There is also a state of the fitness centre and a yoga and pilates studio.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s signature restaurant, 1826, will offer the very best in innovative Mexican cuisine throughout the day allowing guests to enjoy both indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Other dining options at the resort include Luna, a casual, rooftop tapas restaurant, The Bar offering cocktails and snacks, Agua the poolside restaurant and bar and La Cava, a unique private dining venue in the resort’s wine ‘cava’.

Not only will Rosewood San Miguel de Allende offer high end accommodation and leisure facilities but also exceptional indoor meeting areas. There will be further outdoor event areas including an amphitheatre, landscaped gardens and extensive rooftop terraces.

San Miguel de Allende is just over an hours transfer from Leon International Airport and is the ultimate escape into rural Mexico. Transfers from Mexico City take approximately three and a half hours and from Queretaro it is 45 minute drive. Taxis, car hire and private transfers are available.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende Opening Offer

Daily rates for a Colonial Room start at $295 (£189) including breakfast for two, a 25% discount on spa treatments and valet parking.

Offer valid from 1st February until 20th April 2011
For more information and reservations, call toll-free 00 800 8767 3966.

www.rosewoodhotels.com

Holland America Line said that to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its evolution from traditional trans-Atlantic voyages to vacation cruising, the premium line’s Rotterdam is sailing two classic crossings in July 2011.

Rotterdam’s nine-day trans-Atlantic sailing departs Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on July 3, 2011, and calls at the crossing departure port of Southampton, England, before heading to New York.

The July 12 trans-Atlantic departure returns to Rotterdam from New York over nine leisurely days with a call at Cobh (Cork), Ireland, another traditional stop on crossings of the past.

“Trans-Atlantic cruises were the foundation of Holland America Line for several decades, and there’s still a strong desire from today’s travelers who want to step back in time and relive the celebrated days of an elegant crossing or follow in the footsteps of their ancestors,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs.

“We’re proud to honor our heritage with these two special itineraries, replete with nostalgia-themed menus, entertainment and a host of surprises and keepsakes.”

The trans-Atlantic journeys will offer activities, guest lecturers and chefs, complimentary mementos and opportunities to celebrate the line’s 138-year heritage.

In addition, a bon voyage sail away party, captain’s gala party, special entertainers and events will take place on both itineraries.

Bridge and dance instructors as well as hosts will be onboard.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra is scheduled to provide authentic, big-band dancing sounds on both itineraries.

Popular Dutch singing sensation “Frank in Person” will showcase his Frank Sinatra looks, singing style and repertoire from Rotterdam to New York. Guests seeking to discover more about the company’s history can visit the Crow’s Nest, which will be set up as a “Museum at Sea” during both crossings.

Bill Miller, considered an international authority on the subject of ocean liners and cruise ships, will be on board both sailings as a guest lecturer.

Called “Mr. Ocean Liner,” he has written more than 65 books on the subject — from early steamers and immigrant ships to liners at war. Maritime artist Capt. Stephen Card also will be on both crossings to discuss his work and his knowledge of Holland America Line vessels. Card is the official chronicler of the Holland America fleet and his paintings, which are showcased on every ship in the fleet.

Royal Designer of Industry Stephen Payne, OBE, vice president chief naval architect for Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding, will share his nautical knowledge on the July 12 voyage.

The immediate past president of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, Payne was lead designer of Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2. He has been involved with Carnival Corporation ships since January 1985, and in July 2010 he was awarded the title of “Amazing Person 2010” by Solent Education Business Partnership for his work in promoting engineering careers to young people.

Rotterdam’s Culinary Arts Center will give guests the opportunity to learn from master chefs on both cruises. Dutch Chef Cas Spijkers is scheduled to sail on the July 3 crossing.

The author of 10 cookbooks and culinary educator has prepared dinners for the Dutch Royal Family, starred in his own television series, “Cooking with the Stars,” and was named as the Netherlands’ “Masterchef of the Century” in 1991.

Daniel Orr, chef and owner of FARMbloomington, is scheduled to sail on the July 12 departure. Orr draws from a lifelong curiosity about individual ingredients combined with extensive training in the art of finding food’s true essence and flavor. He calls his cuisine “real food for real people.”

At the International Spa Association annual conference and expo, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced plans to expand its portfolio of hotel spas by more than 50 percent in the coming year.

More than 150 new spas are planned or are in development at Starwood, which currently features more than 300 hotel spas across its hospitality brands, including W, St. Regis, Le Meridien, Westin, and Sheraton.

“We’re answering the demand for spa with a portfolio of five in-house spa brands and strategic partnerships that continue to enhance the guest experience at our hotels,” said Mia Kyricos, director of global spa brands and programming for Starwood.

“Our growing spa pipeline is good for guests, as they increasingly expect us to help them stay well while traveling.

And it’s good for Starwood and our development partners, since we know spa gives us the opportunity to positively impact rate, occupancy and average spend per guest.”

Starwood will ramp up its branded spa concepts dramatically this year with Sheraton, St. Regis, and Le Meridien to debut their own exclusive in-house spa brands, each inspired by the individual hotel brands to provide an integrated lifestyle experience. “Approximately 75 percent of the properties in Starwood’s growth pipeline include spas in their plans,” said Jeremy McCarthy, Starwood’s director of global spa development and operations.

“And about 45 percent of our existing portfolio of more than 1,000 hotels offers spas and related services.”

Moving forward, Starwood’s spa brands will include: Shine Spa for Sheraton, which made its debut at the Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa in the Maldives in 2009, followed by The Sheraton Bratislava in Slovakia and The Sheraton Nha Trang in Vietnam earlier this year. More than 15 Shine Spas for Sheraton are expected to be open by the end of 2011.

Iridium Spa, Starwood’s newest spa brand designed exclusively for St. Regis, will debut at The St. Regis Lhasa Resort in Tibet in December.

Explore Spa by Le Meridien, which intends to introduce a new perspective on spa at Le Meridien hotels, will debut early next year at Le Meridien Oran in Algeria and Le Meridien Pyramids in Egypt, with other conversions and new builds in development. Heavenly Spa by Westin plans to double its 20 existing locations around the world to 40 in the next two years.

Away Spa by W Hotels will grow from five to 15 spas in the next few years.

Additionally, Starwood continues its strategic partnership with Steiner Leisure which now owns the famed Bliss and Remede Spa brands and amenity lines that remain exclusive to Starwood’s W and St. Regis hotel brands respectively.

The relationship also continues to grow with 17 Bliss Spas and 10 Remede spas already operating at Starwood hotels, and several more in development. “Like pools in the 1980s and fitness centers in the 1990s, the increased presence of spas at hotels has been fueled by both demand and the perceived quality of hotels with spa facilities,” Kyricos said.

“Spas are no longer considered an amenity; guests expect them. And they’re no longer viewed as an indulgence, but an essential part of the balance and wellness guests seek while on the road.”

Travel Bound’s free, bonus night offers at three-, four- and five-star hotels across the U.S. allows agents to save up to 33 percent for their independent travel clients by taking advantage of these “bonus night” offers, where booking a given number of nights earns a free night.

“Clients save money at great hotels — where the rates are already among the best available — and agents earn full commission on the paid nights,” said Richie Karaburun, president of Travel Bound and GTA North America.

“Because we’re part of GTA, Travel Bound can give agents an unmatched selection of hotels wherever their clients want to go, plus great rates and special deals and discounts.

“We have bonus nights in the US, ideal for holiday travel or last-minute getaways, as well as at properties in primary and secondary cities around the world.”

In addition, several hotels qualify now for double points/dollars. Validity dates and specific offers are listed on Travel Bound’s agent-only website, www.booktravelbound.com

All Travel Bound hotel rates are quoted per person per night based on double occupancy and include local hotel taxes and service charges.

Examples of “pay for/stay for” free night offers:

Pay for two nights and stay free for a third at the four-star Gramercy Park in New York City, from $232 (for each of the two nights). Jan. 1 to March 28.

Pay for three nights and stay free for a fourth at the three-star Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak in Memphis, Tenn., starting at $70 (for each of the three nights), through March 31; or the four-star Monaco in San Francisco, starting at $94 (for each of the three nights), Jan. 14 to Feb. 3.

Pay for four nights and stay free for a fifth at the four-star Hawaii Prince in Oahu, from $112 (for each of the four nights), Jan. 1 to Feb. 16; at four-star Buena Vista Palace in Orlando, Fla., from $76 (for each of the four nights), Dec. 22 to April 30; or the five-star Rancho Bernardo in San Diego, from $131 (for each of the four nights), through Feb. 28.

Pay for five nights and stay free for a sixth at the four-star Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, from $145 (for each of the five nights), Jan. 1 to March 31.

Pay for six nights and stay free for a seventh at the three-star Bahia Mar Beach in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from $113 (for each of the six nights), Dec. 25 to March 31; at the four-star Miami Beach Resort and Spa in Miami Beach, from $119 (for each of the six nights), Dec. 19 to April 30; and at the four-star Grande Resort and Club, in Naples, Fla., from $245 (for each of the six nights), Jan. 1 to April 30.

Selling exclusively to travel agents since 1982, Travel Bound is a brand of GTA (Gullivers Travel Associates). For more information, call 800-808-9541 or visit www.booktravelbound.com

The Hay-Adams, in Washington, D.C., announced its reopening to the public after a renovation to modernize and update guest accommodations while remaining true to its historic roots.

This is the hotel’s second-largest enhancement, after a $20 million renovation in March 2002. Guests of the Hay-Adams will enjoy elevator improvements, a modernized Business Center and a new fitness center.

The roof terrace event space, the “Top of the Hay,” is scheduled for completion in January 2011.

Interconnecting function rooms will be available individually or in combination, allowing guests to customize the space for events with appropriate room sizing. Depending on the guest list, this area can host 15 to 300 people.

With the vision of interior designer Tom Pheasant and architectural design firm, Hartman-Cox Architects, the Hay-Adams updated its aesthetics and décor with new color palettes, mosaic tiles, marble floors, custom-designed carpets and Scalamandre fabrics.

The Hay-Adams revamped amenities to include 300 Count Frette linens, European Etro toiletries, goose-down duvet covers, plush robes and slippers.

Recognizing the needs of the Hay-Adams business traveler, the hotel technologically enhanced guestrooms and meeting spaces, adding new widescreen 37-inch HD flat-screen televisions with more than 75 digital channels in every room and complimentary access to Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet connectivity in all public areas, meeting rooms and guest rooms. The hotel also installed a Bose Wave Music CD System with iPod capability in every room along with three two-line telephones and an in-room safe that can accommodate a laptop computer.

For more information, visit www.hayadams.com

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has launched a global Gift Card.

The Mandarin Oriental Gift Card is available in denominations ranging from $50 to $10,000, and can be redeemed for hotel accommodation, indulgent spa treatments, Michelin-starred dining and more.

Mandarin Oriental Gift Cards can be purchased year round online, and at all Mandarin Oriental hotels worldwide.

There is no expiry date, and the cards can be used at any participating Mandarin Oriental hotel regardless of the place of purchase.

All cards are presented in an attractive gift folio and can also be delivered with a special personalized message to any location around the world.

To purchase a Mandarin Oriental Gift Card, visit www.mandarinoriental.com/giftcard  to purchase online, or visit any Mandarin Oriental hotel.

Wyndham Hotel Group and its nearly 6,000 U.S. hotels are offering a variety of seasonal promotions that enable travelers to not only save money but perhaps their sanity too.

Promotions range from discounts of up to 30 percent off the best available rate to complimentary Harlem Globetrotters tickets and are available at well-known brands including Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Wingate by Wyndham, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Microtel Inns & Suites, Baymont Inn & Suites, Travelodge and Knights Inn.

For more information, visit www.wyndhamrewards.com  or the banner below.