Jetsettersblog

Have you ever wanted to ‘go native’? Fish for snapper from a long boat with a Thai fisherman, pick your own cashews or climb up a cliff to harvest swallow’s nests?

Southern Thailand’s premier cooking school has just launched a locavore foodie experience titled ‘Glimpses into Local Life’ wherein guests are invited to get their hands dirty and go foraging, fishing and harvesting with the Chef.

The Sarojin Director Kate Kemp says, “Our guests are increasingly interested in experiencing a more authentic sense of real Thailand experience coupled with a more ‘hands on’ and educative experience, hence thought it would be fun to up the ante on our cooking classes and invite guests to ‘catch and gather’ ingredients for their desired dish as well as cooking it and enjoying dining in an extraordinary location.

The Khao Lak and Phang Nga region is blessed with an abundance of fresh seafood and produce that is grown here in the local community by farmers we have been supporting for years. This new program offers guests the chance to engage in the food process from ‘the wilds to the plate’ and, in addition to seeing where and how things are harvested, they also get the chance to interact with locals that have lived here for generations.”
During the Locavore Foodie Experience, guests will visit the following places:
• Baan Nam Kem
• A prawn farm
• A fish farm
• Swallow nest house
• Various fruit, vegetable and cashew nut farms – widely commercially grown in this area and often processed by hand using traditional farming methods.

Baan Nam Khem is located 20 minutes drive north of The Sarojin. This small coastal fishing village is the gateway to the endless waterways leading though spectacular untouched mangrove forest. The shallow inter-tidal reaches that characterise the mangrove wetlands offer refuge and nursery ground for juvenile fish, crabs, shrimps, and mollusks. Mangroves are also prime nesting and migratory sites for hundreds of bird species in Thailand. For instance, there are over 500 species of birds recorded in the mangrove areas. Additionally, crab-eating monkeys, monitor lizards, sea turtles, and mud skipper fish live in the mangrove wetland.

Guests are taken line fishing onboard their own traditional longtail boat where snapper and grouper along with other local fish can be caught. With your fresh catch you continue up the Takuapa River for your Thai Cooking Class with chef by Takuapa Riverbank. Learn how to prepare your fresh catch for the plate and enjoy lunch safari style and a glass of wine in the great outdoors

The package also includes luxurious accommodation at The Sarojin in a Garden Residence, return transfers from Phuket International airport by luxury car with cold towels and refreshments served for 2 persons as well as all day al carte breakfast with sparkling wine served for 2 persons.

The Sarojin’s ‘Locavore Foodie Experience’ package starts from THB 102,400 which is approximately AUD $3,413 for 2 persons, inclusive of all taxes, and is available all year ’round.

For further information on The Sarojin or to book one of the special promotional packages that are available from 6 March – 30 April 2011 and 1 May – 31 Oct 2011, please visit: www.sarojin.com

About The Sarojin
‘World Luxury Hotel’ Award Winner 2007, 2009, 2010* at the World Luxury Hotel Awards; Winner of “Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel” 2008,2007, 2006 at World Travel Awards; Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2010, 2009,2008; “Overall Winner” at the Thailand Green Awards 2010; The Sarojin is internationally renowned as one of the finest resort properties in Asia. Designed in a contemporary Asian style and beautifully set on an 11km stretch of secluded white sand beach in Khao Lak, just a 55 minute drive north of Phuket Airport, the five-star resort boasts 56 deluxe residences set within ten acres of grounds leading directly onto the beachfront. Each guest room features its own private garden and ‘sala’ sundeck, couples’ baths with waterfall showers, and plunge and relaxation pools that blend into the natural habitat; while other complimentary facilities include a fully equipped fitness centre and mountain bikes, sailing catamarans, sail boats, sea kayaks and windsurfing boards.

The Sarojin’s name is inspired by the mythical Lady Sarojin, the daughter of a prominent Thai nobleman who was regarded as the perfect host and whose household became famous for its hospitality. The Sarojin’s goal is to reflect this legacy by providing an experience that is reminiscent of staying at a friend’s private estate. The hotel’s team of personal guides delight in creating tailor made experiences, along with the elegant and inspired ‘Imagineer’ who offers the ultimate personal concierge service for hotel guests. Tranquillity is guaranteed as no children under the age of 12 are permitted to stay at The Sarojin.

*The World Luxury Hotel Awards are the most exclusive luxury hotel awards, setting the benchmark for world class facilities and service excellence. The Awards were established to recognise hotels that have taken the extra step and differentiated themselves from ‘good hotels’ to ‘exceptional hotels’.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) officially opened its doors this week. The 341-room hotel, with 124 executive residences, is the second Ritz-Carlton in Dubai and the sixth property in the region for the luxury hotel company. The property is the only hotel to be directly linked to the complex of buildings in Dubai International Financial Centre. No. 5, the hotel bar, is located at the end of this pathway. A 100-foot wine wall that is home to 3,000 bottles of the finest varietals in the world is a focal point for gourmands and wine connoisseurs.

Other dining selections include Blue Rain, the signature Thai fine-dining restaurant; Can Can, a French all-day dining brasserie; and the Center Cut steakhouse, providing multiple settings for the enjoyment of the cuisine made famous by The Ritz-Carlton chefs. The Lobby Lounge & Terrace offers a casual elegance for the enjoyment of afternoon tea. Each restaurant boasts an expansive outdoor terrace.

A unique design facet of The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC showcases a 10-story outdoor waterfall cascading down the building directly into the courtyard facing the lobby. A total of eight striking water features are situated throughout the hotel, which are not only aesthetically and aurally pleasing, but lend themselves to the feng shui belief that the constant flow of water signifies wealth and prosperity. Recreational amenities include a fully equipped health club and luxurious Ritz-Carlton Spa, offering 13 treatment rooms. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company of Chevy Chase, Md., operates 73 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. For reservations or more information, call 800-241-3333, or visit www.ritzcarlton.com

For 35 years, World Expeditions has been taking people to some of the most enchanting places on the planet. Sharing the beauty and wonder; sharing the earth’s great diversity of culture and space. And, in the regions they visit, giving back to the local community in meaningful ways.

World Expeditions began in 1975 as a small Sydney based adventure travel Company taking treks to the Himalaya. Today, with offices in Auckland and around the world, they are leaders in environmental and responsible travel.

From humble beginnings World Expeditions has grown into a global innovator and leader in responsible and sustainable travel. They have always believed the delights of travel should not be exclusive to the traveller. Rather, travel should be as rewarding an experience for the host community, the cultures and people that are visited, as it is for the traveller. In the constantly changing arena of travel, World Expeditions is absolutely thrilled that this tried and tested approach is still at the heart of every itinerary in their portfolio today.

World Expeditions are experts when it comes to small, sustainable group travel. The New Zealand Manager of World Expeditions explains that, “This is an exciting time and such a proud moment for us to reflect on World Expeditions accomplishments and look to the future to anticipate additional remarkable milestones.

“It’s been a privilege to have been part of the World Expeditions team for eight years. And, as I have experienced nearly ten World Expeditions itineraries, I can speak first hand of the journey of discovery every traveller has in creating amazing memories.”

Please visit www.worldexpeditions.com  for information and ideas for your next adventure.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA- For the novice golfer aspiring to be the next Palmer or Nicklaus, the Steenberg Hotel’s Golf Academy package will help lengthen that drive and sink that next putt.

During a five-day, four-night stay, guests hit the links early for a three-hour lesson including professional instruction, tips for improvement and driving range balls, as well as light refreshments and lunch. More advanced players can select the option of a nine-hole playing lesson. All participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program. The Golf Academy package is available now until March 31, 2010, at $1,302 per person (rates based on double occupancy).

Travelers who don’t need help with their game, but want to escape for a few days, can select the Golf and Pamper package at the Steenberg. The package includes a three-day, two-night stay, as well as a round of golf or 60-minute massage at the Ginkgo Spa. Guests will also enjoy a three-course dinner at Catharina’s Restaurant. The Golf and Pamper package is available now until March 31, 2011, at $554 per person (rates based on double occupancy).

After a day on the greens, visitors can relax during a private wine tasting at the Steenberg Vineyard, included in both packages, or enjoy complimentary transfers to local shops and restaurants. The packages also include daily breakfast.

The Steenberg Golf Club features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Peter Matkovitch, and is rated as one of the top courses to visit in South Africa. The course, continuously named as one of the best conditioned courses in South Africa’s Golf Digest’s Top 100 and the number one course in Cape Town, was designed to make full use of natural features and hazards such as the vineyards, pine forests and gentle waterways. The par-three 14th hole features the largest green in Africa at a little more than 249 feet in length.

A 20-minute drive from Cape Town, the hotel is set on the Cape’s oldest wine farm which still produces award-winning wines. The hotel buildings, dating back to 1682, have been painstakingly restored and declared a national monument. The hotel comprises 21 guest rooms and three Heritage suites within the original buildings: the Manor House, Jonkershuis (young man’s house) and the Barn.

The original wine cellar is now Catharina’s restaurant, one of Cape Town’s best, where Chef Garth Almazan prepares innovative cuisine, complemented by an impressive list of superb Constantia wines. A sommelier is on hand to help diners pair the innovative South African cuisine with the perfect wine, either from the Steenberg’s own award-winning vineyards or from a nearby winery.

Guests can relax in the hotel’s luxurious spa, where a wide range of treatments are offered. The Steenberg has two swimming pools and an on-site hairdresser. For relaxing, guests hang out at the trendy pool bar or Bixtro Sixteen82, the new tapas bar.

The packages includes a two-night stay in a luxury standard room, daily breakfast, private wine tasting, 60-minute massage or one round of golf, three course dinner with set menu in Catharina’s Restaurant and complimentary transfers to restaurants and shops within 5 km radius.

The package includes a four-night stay in a luxury standard room, daily breakfast, private wine tasting, three-hour golf lessons for three days (includes snacks, lunch and driving range balls) and complimentary transfers to restaurants and shops within 5 km radius.

Rates include VAT and Tourism Levy. The Steenberg suggests reserving spa and golf appointments in advance. Not available with any other special offers.

For reservations please call 021 713 2222 or email reservations@steenberghotel.com. For more information visit www.steenberghotel.com

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is acquiring two ships, one of which will be positioned in the luxury segment and the other as a premium vessel. The new Europa 2 will enter the luxury fleet in spring 2013, while the premium Columbus 2 begins service in April 2012. The Europa 2 is a newbuild with 258 suites for a maximum of 516 passengers while Columbus 2 has 349 cabins for a maximum of 698 passengers.

“We are pleased to be increasing our product diversity with both ships with the aim of reaching new target groups,” said Sebastian Ahrens, Hapag-Lloyd managing director. “The Columbus 2 achieves the demand for a relaxed, small premium ship with a modern concept and the Europa 2 is the logical further development of a contemporary interpretation of a luxury ship sailing alongside the Europa, and will be positioned as a lifestyle-oriented, informal sister ship on a five-star level.”

The Europa 2 will have 300-square-foot veranda suites, spa suites, a penthouse and family suites. The ship will have seven restaurants including a sushi bar, two lounges, four bars and an entertainment program. It will offer sport and health-oriented facilities, plus a large wellness and spa zone. Europa 2’s will operate seven-day cruises in the Mediterranean in the summer and distant destinations in the winter. The ship will be equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs.

The Columbus 2 has 28 inside cabins, 89 outside cabins, 170 balcony cabins, 52 penthouse suites, four Vista suites and six owner suites. The cabins have a standard size of over 215 square feet. The ship will have four restaurants, three bars, a pool deck with a stage, a spa and wellness zone, a pool and Jacuzzi, a jogging course, and a golf driving range. The Columbus 2 is expected to operate seven-day combinable routes in the Mediterranean in the spring and fall and 12-day cruises Baltic cruises. The Columbus 2 will also offer two- to three-day introductory cruises. Winter months are also set aside for a World Cruise. Reservations will be accepted for the Columbus 2 starting on Jan. 25, 2012. For more information, visit www.hl-cruises.com

Moevenpick Hotels & Resort properties in the Middle East and Asia announced the Month of Romance throughout February. Couples can enjoy 50 percent off on their second night, unwrap a romantic welcome gift and treat themselves to an in-room breakfast for two, as well as 4 p.m. late check-out, between Feb. 1 to 28. For more information, visit www.moevenpick-hotels.com.

Sweden is highlighting what it calls its “top 10 unique hotels.” At the top of the list is Icehotel (Kiruna, Lapland), the first and largest ice hotel in the world with 60 rooms. Inside the hotel, the temperature is never lower than 23 Fahrenheit, regardless of how cold it may be outside. Guests dress in warm thermal underwear and sleep in sleeping bags. Breakfast buffet, morning sauna and towels are included in the stay. The hotel is open between Dec. 10 and April 18, which also is the best time for experiencing the amazing Northern Lights. For more information, visit www.icehotel.com.

Harads Tree Hotel (Harads, Lapland) allows guests to sleep among the trees. The hotel opened its doors in 2010 and consists of six “rooms.” Each room is completely different in design and shape, but they are all created with ecological values and in harmony with nature. Guests sleep in the smell of forest and whisper of wind passing through the treetops. For more information, visit www.treehotel.se/en/start.

Salt & Sill (west coast of Sweden) is a floating hotel in the archipelago off the west coast. It is an exclusive hotel with 23 rooms and one suite with an outdoor Jacuzzi. All rooms have their own entrance and access to an outdoor seating area. In the Salt & Sill restaurant, guests dine on fresh and newly captured seafood. The sauna is a miniature ship that all guests can use. For more information, visit www.saltosill.se.

Hotel Skeppsholmen (Stockholm) is located in the heart of Stockholm in a historic building that dates from 1699 with a decor by Claesson Koivisto Rune. Situated on the waterfront, Hotel Skeppsholmen combines an old world ambience with contemporary Swedish cuisine, art, design, fashion and music. The hotel is also eco-labeled. For more information, visit www.hotelskeppsholmen.com.

Utter Inn (Västerås) is a one-room hotel — under water — which floats on Lake Mälaren 60 miles from Stockholm. The hotel consists of two parts, a floating bridge and an underwater room where two people can stay overnight. The floating bridge is designed as a typical Swedish farmhouse, red with white garbles, and also includes a sun deck a small rowboat to explore the surrounding islands. The bedroom has panorama windows in all four directions — 10 feet below the surface of the water.

Jumbo Stay (Arlanda, Stockholm) allows guests to sleep in a jumbo jet. Different room categories can accommodate one to three adults in comfort and as well as a quad dormitory bed option, all with shower and toilet facilities in the corridors. The hotel also offers a luxury suite in the converted cockpit with a panoramic view of the airport. For more information, visit www.jumbostay.com.

Room Silver Mine (Sala) offers the deepest room in the world at approximately 510 feet under ground. Winding galleries, cavities and underground lakes surround the mining suite. The stay includes a guided tour of the mine, a basket with refreshments (cheese, biscuits, fruit, sparkling wine, and chocolate) and breakfast. For more information, visit www.salasilvergruva.se.

Grand Hôtel (Stockholm) is called “the most glamorous hotel in Sweden.” This five-star deluxe hotel is located opposite the Royal Palace by the water. The hotel’s Mathias Dahlgren is a two-star Michelin restaurant run by one of the most famous chefs in Sweden, Mathias Dahlgren. The new spa, Raison d’Etre, is one of the best in Sweden. The hotel has 368 rooms including 37 suites. For more information, visit www.grandhotel.se.

Norrmalmstorg Nobis (Stockholm) opened in December 2010 and is Stockholm’s first contemporary luxury hotel. The 201-room hotel is located within easy reach of the city’s best restaurants, shops, museums, sights, attractions, and nightclubs. For more information, visit www.nobishotel.com.

Kolarbyn (Halstahammar) allows guests to sleep in a Forest Hut in the Swedish wilderness. Kolarbyn is called Sweden’s most primitive hotel. It is a natural refuge for silence, wilderness and adventure in a forest setting just a few hours away from Stockholm. Kolarbyn consists of 12 forest huts located in a glade by lake Skärsjön. A variety of guided tours, package deals and special events are offered throughout the season. Among the most popular are the wildlife (moose, wolf, beaver, and lynx) safaris. Kolarbyn is very eco conscious and won the Grand Travel Award — The Ecotourism prize 2009. For more information, visit www.wildsweden.com or www.kolarbyn.se/start.asp?lang=en

Astronomy Finds New Popularity in Africa Where the Stars Are Brighter

SOUTH LUANGWA, ZAMBIA – Today, 50% of the world’s population can no longer see the stars because of pollution. An outstanding exception is the remote and pristine South Luangwa Valley in Zambia where the air is light and the moon and stars are bright. Here, you can re-discover the beauty and wonder of the night sky with Norman Carr Safaris’ “Return to the Wild” sleep-out safari .

With famed guide Abraham Banda at the lead, you’ll wend your way to the spectacularly beautiful Luwi dry river bed where you’ll spend the night on a bedroll with a mosquito net. You’ll marvel at the Southern Cross and the vast black hole beneath it, known as the coal sack, as Abraham points out all the constellations of the glittering Southern sky and explains how the stars influence the daily activities of the Zambian people.

You’ll also experience the tranquility and beauty of the orange moon as it reflects on night waters. And when the stars come out — and you’re there in the right season — so do the fire flies until you are surrounded with thousands of points of light above and below.

Christina Carr, daughter-in-law of the late Norman Carr, believes that it is the night sky that is the spiritual side of Africa – that opens up your soul. She says: “When I first came to Zambia, I could not get over what an important role the night plays in African life. Everything is alive and vibrant and the stars really do appear brighter. Coming from an urban area where electric lights are paramount, this was a real awakening for me.

“Our most successful dinners in the Bush are given under the full moon. The light is so bright it keeps away the predators. And I am always amazed at the sight of the moon lining up with Venus and Mars. “

On your night under the stars, once the camping site is selected and a camp fire lit, the game ranger will prepare dinner with your help. After dinner, adventure stories are told around the fire until it’s time to bed down under the magnificent African sky while your guide and scout keep watch until morning.

The rate per night per person for the Return to the Wild sleep-out safari, for a maximum of four guests, is $200. This may be combined with a stay in one of Norman Carr Safaris Bushcamp sites or at the Kapani Lagoon House. For more information, contact kapani@normancarrsafaris.com or visit www.normancarrsafaris.com

Cruise the Amazon, walk Australia’s Cradle Mountain, or travel Italy by train. Members of the U.S. Tour Operators Association can make all the arrangements for independent travelers, whether it’s five days of seeing Brazil’s Rio Negro, a week on a custom-planned itinerary “roughing it” in Tasmania, or a week traveling in comfort between Italy’s major cities by rail. Cited below are three pre-arranged vacation packages and one custom itinerary, all designed for independent travelers. Hit the rails in Italy Rome, Florence, and Venice (Superior Tourist Class), 8 days, 7 nights On Brendan Vacations’ 8 day, 7 night “Rome, Florence, and Venice (Superior Tourist Class),” travelers take the train between these three major cities, spending three nights in Rome, and two each in Florence and Venice. Priced from $1,204 per person, the package features centrally-located, twin-bed hotel accommodations, breakfast daily, and train transportation between cities. Sightseeing with local guides in Florence and Venice, a Hop-On-Hop-Off tour in Rome, airport transfers upon arrival and departure, and services of an English-speaking local host are also included. Travel is valid through March 30, 2011 and can be booked anytime. Air fare is additional. For reservations phone 1-800-421-8446 or visit www.brendanvacations.com. Italy by Rail, 7 days, 6 nights General Tours World Traveler offers a 7 day/6 night “Italy by Rail” vacation package to Rome, Florence, and Venice with two first class EuroStar rail journeys and a choice of city-center hotels for two nights in each city plus sightseeing and daily breakfast. Package price begins at $1,249 per person when booked by March 1, 2011 for travel through March 28, 2011 . International airfare is available at an additional charge. For reservations phone 1-800-221-2216 or visit www.generaltours.com. Australia on foot Cradle Mountain Walk, 7 days, 6 nights Walk with an experienced tour guide in Tasmania, Australia on a Goway Travel “7 Day Cradle Mountain Walk” custom vacation. Follow the Overland Track and enjoy a boat transfer across Lake St. Clair. Included on this 7 day, 6 night (arrival day and six days of walking) custom itinerary are nightly accommodations in private huts with sleeping bags, pillows, and a comfortable mattress, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages plus a selection of Tasmanian wines, all transport from Launceston, and return transfers Travelers are supplied with sheets and a pillowcase to carry along the route, and also have the use of a backpack and Gortex jacket throughout the trip. This custom itinerary is priced from $2,577 per person until March 31, 2011. Air fare is additional. For reservations phone 1-888-469-2944 or visit www.goway.com. Brazil river cruising Amazon Cruises – Negro River, 5 days, 4 nights The “Amazon Cruises – Negro River” vacation package from Latour features a 5-daycruise aboard the Iberostar Grand Amazon, departing from Manaus, Brazil. Included are transfers and all meals. Price begins at $1,093 per person when booked by April 15, 2011 for travel through June 30, 2011. International airfare is additional. For reservations phone 1-800-825-0825 or visit www.latour.com. More Information Air fare is additional on all above trips. All prices are based on twin share. Restrictions and additional security fees, departure and local taxes and fees may apply. Rates may vary by date. For more information and a list of member companies serving Europe, South America, and Australia, as well as walking, rail, and cruise vacations, visit: www.USTOA.com, or www.USTOA.travel. USTOA member companies have met the travel industry’s highest standards, including participation in the association’s Travelers Assistance Program, which among other things protects consumer payments up to $1 million in case the company goes out of business. USTOA is the premier association of companies providing vacation packages, tours, and custom travel itineraries for more than 11 million people yearly

Gaucho International Arena Polo will see a faster-paced version of polo played at the massive O2 in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND – Gaucho International Arena Polo will be staged at London’s O2 venue and looks set to be a truly thrilling experience for everyone in attendance.

For fans of the sport, the contest will be a cracking exhibition of some of the finest players in the world, although the energy and passion of the game may be toned down for the celebrity match on the programme.

The occasion is due to take place on February 24th 2011 and the variety of entertainment on offer in addition to the top-notch talent on the field suggests Park Lane hotels and other accommodation in the capital may be busy.

Several food and drink stalls will be installed for the event, with live music and fashion shows also on the agenda for attendees from nearby accommodation such as the Park Lane Mews Hotel London.

The action at The O2 will not be traditional polo, as there will only be three players on each side instead of four, with this version of the game known as arena polo.

According to the organisers: “The result is a fast and exciting game that is extremely spectator friendly, played in an intimate and exciting atmosphere where the crowd can see, hear – even smell all the action this highly physical sport provides.”

Ticket prices start from GBP28 and go up to GBP72, with the venue opening at 15:00 GMT and the event going on until late into the night.

For more information on this event, visit the O2 website or contact the venue on 020 7536 2600.

Hotels-London.co.uk offers a wide variety of accommodation in London, such as the Grosvenor House Hotel London.

Editors Notes

Hotels-London has been a specialist provider of hotel rooms in London for over 10 years, with over 600 hand selected hotels in the capital to suit every budget from bed and breakfasts to 5 star boutique hotels. For budget conscious customer there is a selection of over 200 hotels to choose from, and the more discerning customer can select from a wide range of boutique, luxury and five star properties.

Hotels-London customers can take advantage of discounts of up to 70% off the published room rate by booking online 24 hours a day, or calling the dedicated team of London experts who are always happy to help make bookings and offer advice about where to stay and what to do in the capital.

As well as accommodation, Hotels-London also helps people make the most of their stay by offering airport transfers, theatre tickets and sightseeing tours – helping you plan your trip down to the finest detail.

To view Hotels-London.com press pages please see http://www.hotels-london.co.uk/press