Jetsettersblog

Southwest Airlines is upgrading its “Nuts About Southwest” corporate blog. Blog updates include the Southwest Social Stream, a tool that displays the Southwest Blog Team’s web interactions in real time; an updated profile system that allows users more ways to connect with one another and to show us where they’ve been; a badge system that awards users based on how they interact on the blog; a more streamlined approach to sharing news, video and Red Belly Radio podcasts; and downloads such as iPhone wallpaper, badges and Southwest’s Social Media Guidelines. It also has an improved content rating and sharing system.

Frontier Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., is expanding nonstop service from its hub at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to both Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and New York-La Guardia International Airport (LGA) beginning this spring. Frontier will add an additional frequency to New York beginning April 4, 2011, and to Boston beginning May 13, 2011.

Welcome Beyond is happy to announce that Villa Mayana in Puntarenas, Costa Rica is now part of our selection of vacation properties worldwide.

Villa Mayana is right on the Costanera (main coastal road), about 30 seconds away from the beach and about 5-10 minutes from either Uvita or Dominical with plenty of restaurants and shops. Everything is right there but once you enter the driveway you are surrounded by nature in your own private reserve.

As Rick, the owner describes: ,The villa and its surroundings have a calming, peaceful atmosphere. It’s a wonderful place to relax and reflect. The sights and sounds that greet you- the monkeys, toucans and other animals, the luscious plant life and the view of the mountains, beach and ocean- it’s breath-taking.’

For more information about Villa Mayana visit:
www.welcomebeyond.com/property/villa-mayana

For more information about Welcome Beyond and other properties visit
www.welcomebeyond.com

About WelcomeBeyond.com

WelcomeBeyond.com is a website promoting the most beautiful and unique vacation properties worldwide.

We hand-pick places that we feel are truly original. Many reflect their owners’ passion for distinctive architecture and design. Some border on quirky (and may have crossed over the line). Several are quite posh. And a few are downright rustic. But what all of our properties have in common is that they’re authentic. Each is singular, memorable and definitely worth writing home about.

A trip to paradise doesn’t have to cost the earth. Plan a trip to Bermuda this year and enjoy savings of up to $1,000, when booking through the Early Booking Offer.

This exclusive sale will give customers $500 off the cost of their holiday for every five nights booked, when travelling between 1 April and 31 December 2011. The offer starts on 23 December 2010 and will run until 28 February 2011.

Visitors to Bermuda will soon come to understand why the rich and famous like Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg choose to spend their holidays on this sun-kissed, pink shored island. With 75 miles of stunning coastline, crystal-clear waters, superb hospitality and a number of luxury hotels to choose from, guests will soon feel like VIPs.Other hotels participating in this offer include:
Cambridge Beaches
Clearview Suites
Coco Reef
Fairmont Southampton
Fairmont Hamilton Princess
Newstead Belmont Hills Resort & Spa
Royal Palms
Rosedon
The St. George’s Club
Surfside Beach Club
Willowbank

Terms and conditions:
This offer must be booked between 23 December 2010 and 28 February 2011 and is valid for travel between 1 April and 31 December 2011. Rates are based on single/double occupancy, extra person charges are additional. $500 resort credit is available for every 5 nights booked and will be applied to the guest hotel bill at time of check out. The resort credit cannot be redeemed for cash or any unused amounts. Seasonal surcharges, meals plans, extra person rates, tax or service charges may increase the package price. Offer is for new bookings only and is based on availability. Blackout dates may apply. This offer is not available to groups and can be combined with other offers and promotions, however this is up to the individual hotel. Standard cancellation policies apply.

Bermuda Department of Tourism
Bermuda, just six-and-a-half hours from London and just under two hours from New York, stretches for 21 miles along crystal blue waters, surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau. Bermuda’s activities offer a range of holiday options, including wreck dives, horseback riding and smooth pink beaches to relax on till dusk. Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts to intimate cottages, all incorporating the hospitality unique to the Bermuda experience. For more information visit www.gotobermuda.co.uk.
©TravMedia Pty Ltd

Bermuda offers the perfect holiday anytime of the year. Just a six-and-a-half hour flight from the UK, the island’s semi-tropical climate has only two seasons; spring and summer. Spend the day playing golf, lounge on a private beach or explore the Bermuda’s spectacular coral reefs; when you’re in paradise the choice is yours.

For further details on holidays in Bermuda go to www.gotobermuda.co.uk

Top deals for Summer 2011 including the Bermuda Early Booking Offer:

Five nights at Grotto Bay from £964
Purely Bermuda offers five nights room only at the 3.5* Grotto Bay from £963 per person based on two sharing, including taxes, transfers and flights with British Airways departing from London Gatwick. For more information or to book this holiday go to www.purelybermuda.co.uk or call 0844 80 444 80.

Ten nights at Tuckers Point from £1,688
Purely Bermuda offers 10 nights room only at the 5* Tuckers Point Resort from £1,688 per person based on two sharing, including taxes, transfers and flights with British Airways departing from London Gatwick. For more information or to book this holiday go to www.purelybermuda.co.uk or call 0844 80 444 80.

Seven nights at The Reefs Hotel & Club from £1,897
Classic Collection Holidays offers seven nights at The Reefs Hotel & Club from £1,897 per person. This price is based on two adults sharing a poolside room on a half board basis and includes return flights from Gatwick with British Airways and private transfers. For more information or to book this holiday go to www.classic-collection.co.uk or call 0800 294 9315.

Ten nights at Elbow Beach from £2,028
Prestige Holidays offers 10 nights room only at Elbow Beach, with flights from Gatwick with British Airways and private transfers from £2,028 per person based on 2 adults sharing. For more information or to book this holiday go to www.prestigeholidays.co.uk  or call 01425 480400.

Offers At Luxury Hotels Throughout Europe
There is now another way to enjoy luxury holidays AND save money – join the online luxury travel club from Travesse www.travesse.com and gain access to discounts of up to 70 per off at a range of four and five star hotels across the UK and Europe.

There are two ways to join, the first is to be invited by an existing member, the second is to register and wait for an opening on the membership list (currently within seven days of applying.)

From designer to romantic, boutique to baroque, Travesse is currently featuring:
70% off …
* Boutique-style apartments in Sliema, Malta @ £52 per room, sleeping 3, with transfers

60% + off …
* A luxurious Roman hideaway @ £128 per room.

50% + off …
* An incredible Design Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic @ just £42 per room.
* A romantic break in the Cotswolds @ £79 per room, B&B, and with a £25 voucher for spa treatments at the hotel.
* A glamorous Venetian Palazzo from @ £99 per room, B&B, with a bottle of prosecco and tickets to the casino.

40% + off …
* Gastro/skiing in France @ £232 per room, half board.
* Foodie heaven at a five-star ‘Schloss’ in the Rhine Valley, with its own three-Michelin star restaurant @ £209 per room, HB
* A modern, statement design hotel in Salzburg @ £91 per room, B&B
* A chocolate themed hotel break in Bournemouth @ £72 per room, including free daily chocolate!

Each hotel featured has been handpicked by Travesse and offers will change on a weekly basis, with members receiving an email alert to new deals, tailored to their specific requirements.

Until Christmas prospective new members can beat the queue and register straightaway by using the following link www.travesse.com/launch.

With Attraction Tickets Direct – Just A 10% Deposit Required! -
Attraction Tickets Direct (ATD), the UK’s leading attraction ticket provider, is offering holidaymakers heading to Orlando in 2011, the chance to secure their attraction ticket prices this year, with just a 10% deposit!

By securing 2011 Orlando attraction tickets with ATD, customers can also guarantee that ticket prices will not go up, protecting themselves against currency fluctuations and price increases. Plus they can buy Disney’s 2011 14 Day Ultimate Ticket at 2010 prices.

The flexible deposit scheme is perfect for those wanting to purchase 2011 tickets without having to pay the full price at the time of booking. Customers can either pay the balance in instalments or in full, four weeks prior departure.

Book your tickets through www.attractionticketsdirect.com and take advantage of the ATD Price Promise – find the same theme park ticket cheaper elsewhere in the UK and ATD will refund the difference.

For further details or to book visit www.attractionticketsdirect.com  or call 0800 975 0002

Join in the ancient fertility ‘Obby ‘Oss festival of May Day in Padstow, Cornwall. May Day celebrated on 02 May 2011 sees dozens of local people playing accordions and drums, singing ritual Celtic songs and following either the masked Red ‘Oss or the rival Blue ‘Oss as they attempt to catch passing maidens beneath the ‘Osses (horses’) black skirts. The celebrations culminate in dancing and communal singing round the town maypole.

The four star gold award winning Bluebirds in Padstow sleeps 6 and welcomes pets. This extremely comfortable family holiday home boasts a large garden and parking and is ideally placed for dipping in and out of the ‘Obby ‘Oss festivities. Cornish Horizons (01841 533 331 www.cornishhorizons.co.uk ) are offering seven nights at The Bluebirds for up to 6 people from 30 April for only £423. Easter week also available from 23 April for £517

Property details and graphics:
http://www.cornishhorizons.co.uk/properties/array/the_bluebirds

More about ‘Obby ‘Oss http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/’Obby_’Oss_festival

Canadian polar travel specialist, One Ocean Expeditions, represented in Australia by Active Travel, have secured the long term use of the celebrated Russian polar research vessel, Akademik Ioffe for the next five years, begining a new chapter in travel to Antarctica.

Over the past decade, consumer interest in Antarctica has increased exponentially, with a number of expedition cruise companies operating two- and three-week voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falklands and South Georgia.

Apart from the occasional innovation, such as sea-kayaking or overnight camping on the Peninsula, the various operators have, to a large extent, offered a very similar product, the main differences being the size of ship, quality of accommodation and length of cruise.

In 2011/2012 this is all set to change.

Andrew Prossin, a Polar veteran and CEO of the highly successful One Ocean Expeditions, says “Antarctic product is in danger of becoming stale. Each year we see new players coming into the market but they are offering nothing new. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to tell one cruise from another”.

Prossin is an innovator by nature. He was the first to introduce the sea-kayaking option to the Australian market and the first to offer overnight camps on the Antarctic Peninsula more than a decade ago.

For the 2011/12 season he is planning a raft of new ideas that will put One Ocean Expeditions in a league of its own. Among the planned innovations are:

- Cross country ski touring

- Kite surfing

- Overnight sea kayaking excursions away from the ship

- Full day excursions with a professional photographer

Such activities have rarely, if ever been offered before in Antarctica, but Prossin’s list of new ideas doesn’t stop here….

He has just signed a contract to charter the well-known Russian research vessel, Akademik Ioffe, for the next three seasons and is talking to the Russians about integrating tourism and research. The Akademik Ioffe is a highly sophisticated research vessel still used by the Shirshov Marine Institute in Moscow. It is likely that Russian scientists will be on board during the 2011/12 season to conduct a research programme, which will add another element of interest for cruising passengers. The Russians, of course, are thrilled they may be able to use their ship for the purpose for which it was built.

Several onboard changes are also planned, including an indoor climbing/bouldering wall, and a spa and Jacuzzi. Cabin and facility upgrades will also be implemented to offer even better value for money. Our fleet of Zodiac inflatable boats will be joined by a 30 foot long RIB powered by a 250hp engine, to allow extended trips away from the ship of up to 10kms and to act as a ‘mother ship’ to the rest of the Zodiac fleet.

One Ocean’s Australian agent, Active Travel, will shortly be releasing the 2011/12 brochure. Dates and rates for the 2011/12 season are availble now. For details call 02-9264 1231 or visit www.activetravel.com.au

Discover the beauty and splendor of Botswana on Lion World Tours’ ten-day Botswana and Beyond. The country’s expansive game parks and preserves offer diverse and abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery.

This exciting journey begins with a stay in Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp within the Moremi Wildlife Reserve in the center of one of the most unique regions in the world, the Okavango Delta. Meaning “Place of the Giraffe,” Nxabega is ideally positioned to explore the magnificence of the Okavango. The wide open channels of the Okavango Delta spread in front of the camp, inviting guests to discover a world of adventure Renowned for its lush waterways and abundant wildlife, the Okavango is home to a number of aquatic and land species. The river is a unique natural phenomenon: flowing more than 620 miles from its source in Angola, it disappears beneath the sands of Botswana, creating a lush inland delta in the midst of this otherwise arid country.

Amidst this rugged setting, enjoy the Camp’s luxurious tented suites with en-suite bathrooms and shower, blending the remoteness of the breathtaking setting with utter comfort and style. Finish your tour in the beautiful Sandibe Safari Lodge, just south of Chief’s Island in one of the most magnificent regions of the Delta, near the ever-flowing Santandabie Channel. The beautiful thatched lodge nestles between permanent water and grass-swept plains of the magnificent Okavango Delta, adjacent to the game-rich Moremi Wildlife Reserve on a private concession.

Sandibe Safari Lodge’s site was specifically chosen for its extraordinary beauty, its prime location on the permanent Delta and its proximity to the game rich grassy plains. The lodge is situated under ancient reverie forest in deep shade overlooking a permanent papyrus waterway. The public areas face the sunset with three cottages to the north and five cottages to the south. The predominant theme of Sandibe is natural, earthy, organic and living. The eight African inspired cottages have their own private elevated viewing deck, en-suite facilities with open-air shower. There is an overhead fan and gauze covered glassless windows. Activities include daily game drives, bush walks, river cruises, mokoro excursions, bird watching, and stargazing. For relaxation there is a hammock that sways in the trees outside the main living area, and a shaded plunge pool.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to see Botswana at its best! Botswana and Beyond departures are from March 16 to May 16, 2011, and are priced from USD $4,399* per person, based on double occupancy. Rate includes fuel surcharges (restrictions apply).

* Government taxes, departure fees and September 11th Security Fee of $210 are additional and payable prior to departure. The single supplement fee is: USD $130

Botswana and Beyond
* Roundtrip, international, economy airfare from Washington, DC or New York, to Johannesburg
* Regional flights to/from Maun via Gaborone
* Air charter flights as indicated in itinerary
* 1 night at Da Vinci Hotel and Suites in Johannesburg
* Three nights at Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
* Three nights at Sandibe Safari Lodge
* All services and transfers as stated
* Return private transfer to/from the Da Vinci Hotel
* Excursions / activities as indicated
* Seven Breakfasts, Six Lunches, Six Dinners
* Accommodation in standard rooms
* Game drives as specified in itinerary
* Excursions & Activities as indicated
* Transportation in luxury air-conditioned vehicles including qualified drivers
* Emergency medical evacuation
* Lion World Tours representative Meet and Greet upon arrival

For more information, please call Lion World Tours at 1-800-387-2706 or visit us at www.lionworldtours.com/tours/Botswana-And-Beyond

According to Monograms, Jan. 17 marks the unofficial start to the 2011 travel planning season. This week, Internet search terms such as “vacation planning” and “vacation packages” will hit an all-year high as millions of Americans begin to decide where their vacation will take them. At monogramstravel.com, travelers will find personalized vacation packages complete with all the components, even the ones they haven’t thought about.

From choosing pre-screened, centrally located four- and five-star hotels and sightseeing with VIP access (no waiting in lines), to transportation around and between cities, flights and airport transfers, Monograms handles the logistics. Monograms also provides travelers an on-site, English-speaking local host for support in dozens of destinations around the world. These local hosts are replaced with personal guides and experienced rangers to make for amazing and awe-inspiring private safaris on Monograms’ Africa getaways.

“Monograms isn’t just a travel website, we are a travel company, backed by 36 support offices on the ground on six continents,” said Scott Nisbet, president and CEO of the Globus family of brands. Monograms is part of the Globus family of brands, a company with more than 80 years of experience. “We offer our travelers a range of activities and excursions for add-on consideration, ensuring they are doing as much or as little as they want on vacation,” said Nisbet. “Just a few of the experiences they can book with us include driving to the hilltop town of Tivoli to view the ruins, enjoying a guided ghost tour of Venice, biking through Amsterdam and learning about the art of beer-making in Munich.”

Monograms travelers also have the ability to choose the length of their vacation package. Travelers can delve into a multi-country adventure, spend a week in the city of their choice for an in-depth discovery or just three nights for a mini-break. And, driving vacations are extremely popular Monograms journeys, giving travelers the chance to drive every component of their getaway in both North America and the South Pacific.

A sampling of the range of vacation packages travelers can book through Monograms includes such Europe vacations as Dublin Summer Getaway (four days), priced from $699; Venice Getaway (four days), priced from $725; A Week in London (seven days), priced from $720; Paris & Nice (seven days), priced from $1,568; Budapest & Vienna (seven days), priced from $1,187; Rome & Sorrento (seven days), priced from $1,279; Barcelona & Madrid (seven days), priced from $1,639; Rome, Florence & Venice (10 days), priced from $1,905; and London, Paris, Budapest, Vienna & Prague (16 days), priced from $3,343.

Exotic Monograms Vacations include Galapagos Highlights (eight days), priced from $2,649; Amazonia Voyage with Rio & Iguassu (10 days), priced from $2,619; Costa Rica Wonders (seven days), priced from $949; Beijing & Shanghai (seven days), priced from $799; Flavors of Vietnam & Cambodia (11 days), priced from $1,409; Spectacular South Island (eight days), priced from $1,159; Best of Kenya (nine days), priced from $2,939; South African Sojourn (nine days), priced from $2,729; and Untouched Botswana (nine days), priced from $4,679.

Sample 2011 North America Monograms Vacations include New Orleans (four days), priced from $269; Canadian Rockies by Rail (six days), priced from $1,389; Sea to Sky, Vancouver & Whistler (seven days), priced from $439; Oahu & Maui (seven days), priced from $849; Boston & New York (seven days), priced from $1,029; America’s National Parks (eight days), priced from $549; the Best of Alaska (eight days), priced from $1,049; and Redwoods, Wine Country & Yosemite (nine days), priced from $739.

The above packages features land and intra-vacation flight- pricing. Air-inclusive pricing from the U.S. is available. Travelers can receive $200 off per person on any Europe Monograms vacation of six nights or more when booking air-inclusive or, they can receive $200 off per person on any Monograms Europe vacation of three cities or more. For more information, call 800-221-0090 or visit www.monogramstravel.com  or www.globusfamilypartner.com