Jetsettersblog

Dooley Vacations six-night Ireland in Spring Package is priced from $699 per person. The package includes accommodations at the five-star Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt in Wicklow, the contemporary Croke Park Hotel in Dublin, and four nights at a choice of over 1,000 bed and breakfasts throughout the Emerald Isle, as well as roundtrip air and rental car for the week. This package saves travelers over $200 per person off the cost of putting the package components together themselves.

The trip begins in Dublin with one night at the Croke Park Hotel, located within walking distance of famous spots such as Temple Bar, Trinity College and Dublin Castle. The next four days travelers can customize their own itinerary to explore Ireland and stay each night at a different bed and breakfast of their choice. The trip ends with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, one of the most scenic and historic estates in Ireland, located in Wicklow just 16 miles south of Dublin. The package includes first night Croke Park Hotel (four star), Dublin; four nights standard bed and breakfasts, and one night Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt (five star), Wicklow; roundtrip airfare between NYC-JFK and Dublin; weekly manual shift car rental with unlimited mileage; a Belleek China Factory Guided Tour and a Glimpse of Ireland Discount Book (up to $600 in savings).

The package is priced from $699 per person for departures from New York City, $719 from Boston, $749 from Orlando, and $769 from Chicago, for travel from March 21 to April 30 on select Monday and Tuesday departure dates. Prices are per person based on double occupancy with economy class airfare. Other departure dates and cities are also on sale at slightly higher rates. Discount pricing is also available for one or three travelers. Stated prices exclude government taxes/fees/facility charges of up to $180 per person and the September 11 Security Fee of $2.50 for U.S. enplanements. For more information, call 877-331-9301 or visit www.dooleyvacations.com

Brian Moore International Tours unveiled the 2011 BMIT Ireland brochure at www.bmit.com/brochure.aspx. The brochure features escorted tours, tour extension packages, independent vacations, and more.

“We put a lot thought into our brochure with the goal of creating a way to make planning BMIT vacations easier than ever as well as giving our travel agent partners an effective sales tool,” said Paula McKay, president of Brian Moore International Tours.

The BMIT brochure is available exclusively online, which provides more flexibility in printing and keeping the itineraries of most interest while still having the entire brochure accessible at all times. BMIT’s Top Selling Vacations include Irish Spree from $1,049 (a week-long escorted tour), the 10-day All Around Ireland from $1,429, the Ireland Fly & Drive from $549, and Dublin at Its Best from $849. For more information, call 800-982-2299 or visit www.bmit.com.

Australian Pacific Touring launched its Great Aussie Sale, which includes 20 percent land savings up to $2,350 per couple on many guaranteed escorted touring vacations and $2,000 off per couple on the new Australia by Private Plane tour. The family-owned 80-year-old operator is offering a variety of activities, including wining and dining along the East Coast, seeking kangaroos and the Tassie Devil in Tasmania, or a real working cattle station and aboriginal sites at APT’s privately owned Wilderness Lodge near Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Escorted vacations on sale visit the World Heritage Barrier Reef and east coast of Australia, devilish delightful Tasmania and the adventurous Kimberleys region on the north west coast and all feature APT’s Freedom of Choice Touring and Dining. The sale introduces the new Australia By Private Plane tour to discover Australia’s most remote and beautiful attractions from cosmopolitan Sydney to the aerial views of the vast Australian interior, the visually stunning Western coastline to the ancient rock art of the Bungle Bungle Range. APT is a member of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program. For more information, call 800-290-8687 or visit www.aptouring.com.

The Athenaeum’s ‘Time For Two’ Package: Includes Complimentary Massages And A Valentines Day Dinner

This Valentine’s Day treat your loved one to a romantic, five star break at the athenaeum in the heart of Mayfair. Guests who book the ‘Time For Two’ package between 11 and 14 February can enjoy a complimentary massage treatment and a romantic dinner in your London home.

The five star experience begins at the athenaeum where staff will be on hand to book your luxurious Moroccan Otto Rose Oil massages from the exclusive REN spa range, which can be enjoyed in the privacy of your own room or in our newly re-launched Spa together.

The head chef has lovingly created an exquisite menu of romantic culinary delights. A two course meal and a bottle of wine are included in this special offer. Guests can choose to dine either in the hotel’s restaurant or without even leaving the intimate surroundings of their room.

The dedicated Concierge team will make your stay in the capital the most memorable yet, happy to source that elusive ticket to the must see West End show or simply to advise on the most romantic walks around the Royal Parks, located only a stone’s throw away from our front door.

Choose from one of the beautifully appointed rooms or sumptuous private apartments. For those wishing to spoil their loved one, the rooftop suite is an absolute must. The athenaeum is the perfect city retreat for couples searching for luxury and comfort this Valentine’s Day.

Prices start from £499 a night for a deluxe room and, a REN Moroccan Oil Massage and a Valentine’s Dinner for two.

The official “Amazing Thailand” application, which launched in late 2010, is powered by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and provides travel information such as Destination Guides, Events & Festivals, Shopping, Thai Food, About Thailand, and more.

The app, iThai, which also works offline, provides guides for popular cities including lists and contact information for hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas, nightlife, attractions, outdoor recreation and beaches, sports centers, transportation information and emergency contact numbers specific to each location. The app also features photos, a search function, GPS and an interactive map. Additionally, the new “Amazing Thailand” application delivers facts, travel tips and destination details right to your phone. For more information, visit http://share.23perspective.com/amazing_thailand_app/iphone.php

Conrad Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of its first Conrad property in Mainland China, located in Haitang Bay in Sanya, Hainan Island. The Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay is the first hotel to open in Haitang Bay, the newest resort area to be developed on the southern tip of Hainan Island. Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay is owned by China’s Wanda Group, a leading real estate developer in China.

The 101 villas and rooms at Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay overlook the blue ocean, lagoons or gardens. Each villa has a private pool, sun lounger and cabana and is surrounded by lush foliage for privacy. Guests also enjoy additional access to two large outdoor common pools. The property has four restaurants and bars — the all-day dining restaurant Teatro offers international cuisine as well as Asian and Western dishes from an open kitchen; La Chine serves contemporary Hainan and Cantonese cuisine; while Senses, the specialty restaurant, features fresh local seafood. Vue Lounge offers an al fresco setting with panoramic ocean views. An extensive range of recreation facilities includes the 435-meter white sandy beach, two outdoor swimming pools, a spa and fully-equipped fitness center, tennis courts and a kids club. For more information, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com

Hong Kong will welcome the most significant event on the Chinese calendar and Hong Kong’s grandest festival for 2011, the “Year of the Rabbit,” with spectacular activities. Traditionally, the Year of the Rabbit is associated with home, family, artistic pursuits, diplomacy and peace — auguring tranquility and blessings for the year ahead — so there is no more fitting way to kick off the new year than with spectacular light shows, fireworks, elaborate floats and creative performances, and the company of family and friends.

On Feb. 3, the first day of the Chinese New Year, the celebrations get rolling with the annual Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade, selected as one of the world’s top must-see events by Lonely Planet. Featuring leading international and local performers, more than a dozen of the parade’s intricately crafted floats will accompany them along Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. The day after the parade on Feb. 4, delighted onlookers in the tens of thousands gather for the grand fireworks display that lights up the sky over stunning Victoria Harbor against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s skyline and mountains. Entertainment for the Night Parade will showcase popular performance groups from around the world.

Stimulating the other senses and picking up on the festive atmosphere in the streets, local restaurants and hotels add to the festivities with themed events and special menus for Chinese New Year. The Conrad Hong Kong, for instance, is hosting a Lion Dance and God of Fortune performance in its lobby on the first day of the New Year in a gesture intended to bring health, fortune and wealth to its guests. Guests are also offered the blessing of 25 percent savings on their stay at the Conrad Hong Kong when booking any weekend during the 15-day Chinese New Year period. The Conrad’s rooms facing Victoria Harbour offer a perfect spot to watch the fireworks and all guests are invited to savor a traditional Chinese buffet dinner on the second day of the New Year.

The InterContinental Hong Kong is presenting guests with special Chinese New Year dinners and spectacular views of Victoria Harbor during the fireworks. For guests who yearn for a more hands-on experience, the InterContinental’s Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, Yan Toh Heen, will host a Chinese New Year savory pudding- and dumpling- making class with celebrated Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai. Many of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s partners are offering affordable packages, making it easy for Americans to experience one of the world’s great not-to-be-missed celebrations. For example: Gala Holidays has put together another attractive option, with an air-inclusive Chinese New Year package starting at $999. This five-night package includes roundtrip airfare on Cathay Pacific Airways, hotel accommodations at the five-star Royal Plaza Hotel, complimentary tour of Hong Kong Island and Museum of Hong Kong, ticket to Ngong Ping 360 sky tram, and airport and hotel transfers. For more information, or to book this package by Jan. 15, call 888-666-1888 or visit www.galatour.com.

GloboTours is serving five-night hotel accommodations and roundtrip air on Cathay Pacific Airways from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York. From $1,599, travelers can savor five complimentary breakfasts, Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner, tickets to the Chinese New Year Parade and fireworks display, tour of New Year’s Eve Flower Market Carnival, half-day tour of Hong Kong Island, Meet the People program, airport transfers, plus city maps and guides. For more information, or to book this package, visit www.globotours.net. For general destination information, call 800-988-4833 visit www.discoverhongkong.com/usa

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. announced that benefits for members of its Leaders Club are getting even better in 2011. The club is designed to make trips more fulfilling, and personalizes luxury travel experiences at over 430 unique independent hotels and resorts worldwide. In addition to their existing benefits — ability to earn free nights; early check-in, late check-out; room upgrades; welcome gifts; and exclusive rates — Leaders Club members will now be able to enjoy daily complimentary continental breakfast for two and complimentary Internet access at all Leading Hotels.

Leaders Club members enjoy these benefits at an annual cost of $100 for an Access level membership, and $1,200 for an Unlimited level membership. Access level benefits include complimentary continental breakfast for two each day (new); complimentary Internet access (new); Leaders Club Rewards, which allows members to earn a complimentary night at any Leading Hotel for every five stays completed by Dec. 31, 2011; preferred status for a one-category room upgrade; access to members-only rates; early check-in, late check-out; preference profile to ensure each hotel stay is personalized to members’ needs and likes; invitations to Leaders Club events; and access to one-of-a-kind specially created experiences;

Unlimited level benefits include all of the above, plus guaranteed room upgrade at time of booking; Priority Pass, which offers access to 600 VIP airport lounges worldwide (new); and Leaders Club global concierge service offering assistance to arrange anything a member needs before, during or after their stay with Leading Hotels. The Leaders Club Rewards program is simple. Earn one complimentary night at any Leading Hotel for every five stays completed by Dec. 31, 2011. Guests must stay at a minimum of two Leading Hotels at publicly available rates during those five stays. Reservations must be made through The Leading Hotels of the World, and only non-contiguous stays qualify. For more information, visit www.LHW.com/LeadersClub.

Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA), the national carrier of Lebanon, will sign an agreement on Feb. 28 to officially start the process of joining SkyTeam in 2012. Customers will benefit from increased access to and from the Middle East and Western Africa.

Adding MEA as a full member is a significant step towards enhancing the global network of the alliance. SkyTeam is actively working to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, one of the world’s most important economic regions. MEA will be a valuable addition to the alliance by offering customers increased access to the Middle East and Western Africa.

MEA has continued to improve its products and services to customers ever since it successfully concluded a thorough restructuring plan, destined to modernize and restructure the airline. Key elements of this plan included fleet renewal and rationalization, increasing the density of its European, Middle East and West African network and improving product quality and consistency. For more information, visit www.skyteam.com

Discover France Adventures, specialists in France for cycling and hiking tours, is one of only four companies globally and the only one in France licensed to bestow varieties of Tour de France access to its guests. This summer its bicycle tours will follow routes and destinations through the Alps taken by Tour de France cyclists. Its VIP itineraries will give exclusive on-site access to those competitors.

“Our VIP guests will have the opportunity to make contact with top pro riders and experience what it’s like on the podium before the stage and GC winners. They literally get to bike along the same routes the great names in cycling are racing just a few hours behind them, and this year’s tour will pit some legendary names in a head-to-head battle that shouldn’t be missed,” said Loren Siekman, president of Discover France Adventures.

For the 2011 season, Discover France Adventures has on tap nine VIP Tours with special access to the Tour de France: Both challenging and moderate level cycling tours as well as tours expressly designed for non-cyclists. The tours include:

The Alpes VIP Tours, Challenging and Moderate levels, offered July 16 to 23, are priced from 2,630 euros ($3,542) (VIP Challenging) and 2,969 euros ($3,999) (VIP Moderate) double occupancy. The tours start in Montpellier and finish in Grenoble. The route includes Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux, Croix de Fer and other trophy climbs. Participants will be on Alpe d’Huez, at the finish line on July 22 in the Izoard Bus and join the champagne celebration while watching the winner and most likely the 2011 Tour champion cross the line.

Two Provence-Alpes VIP Tours, July 16 to 23, are priced at 2,820 euros ($3,797) (VIP Challenging) and 2,865 euros ($3,857) (VIP Moderate) based on double occupancy. The tour champion will be determined at the top of the Alpe d’Huez and riders on this tour will witness the deciding battle for the yellow jersey. Tours will visit Ventoux, Gap, Izoard, Alpe d’Huez, Lautaret & Galibier.

Pyrenees VIP Tours run July 9 to 16 and are priced from 2,755 euros ($3,709) (VIP Challenging) and 3,225 euros ($4,341) (VIP Moderate) double occupancy. The Pyrenees is the first major mountain stop in 2011 after some important climbs in the Massif Central. Travel from Clermont Ferrand and finish in Toulouse, including a ride on the course into Luz Ardiden on Bastille Day. These programs include lodging in superior category hotels, all breakfasts, picnic lunches and several dinners, cycling guides and support vans and more. Discover France also offers three non-cycling tours for a VIP Tour de France experience without having to pedal.

Opening Week Brittany VIP Non-Cycling Tour, July 2, is priced at 2,279 euros ($3,068), double. The tour takes no prisoners with an opening stage of 191 kilometers (115 miles) and the following team time trial day where guests have VIP Access.

Grenoble Time Trial and Paris Finish VIP Non Cycling Tour, July 21 to 25, priced at 1,985 euros ($2,673), double. See the ultimate deciding stage in Grenoble, the only individual time trial of the 2011 tour, and witness up close the eventual winner and podium finishers vie for the title. In Paris, participants will have VIP finish line seating to witness the sprint victory on the Champs Elysees.

Paris Finish Line VIP Non-Cycling Tour, July 23 to 25, priced from 599 euros ($806) for a three-star hotel to 629 euros ($847) for a four-star hotel, double, is for anyone who wants to take in the finish in Paris on July 24.

Discover France Adventures has been organizing bicycle tours and hiking tours in France since 1994 and has offices in the U.S. and France. Discover France Adventures packages are made up of self-guided tours and competitively priced guided tours. For more information, call 800-960-2221, email contact@discoverfrance.com  or visit www.discoverfrance.com  or www.cyclingclassics.com