Jetsettersblog

The Sukhothai Bangkok is celebrating its 20th birthday with a “20th Anniversary Package” from March 1 until Oct. 31. Priced from Baht 7,800 ($253) per room per night for single or double occupancy, it includes daily buffet breakfast at Colonnade restaurant, free mini bar (soft drinks, juice and beer), free high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi access, and an extra credit of Baht 1,200 ($39) for room bookings and Baht 2,000 ($65) for Suite bookings. This credit can be used for dining and spa during the stay. The package is based on a minimum of two consecutive nights stay. For more information, email reservations@sukhothai.com  or visit www.sukhothai.com

Looking for a new adventure? Experience the mysterious and breathtaking landscape of Tibet on the world’s highest altitude railway. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway includes 596 miles of track that runs more than 13,120 ft above sea level, with the highest point at 16,636 ft. That’s 656 ft higher than the Peruvian railway in the Andes, formerly the world’s highest track!

Whether you call it the “Sky Train,” “Lhasa Express” or the “Rocket to the rooftop of the world”, the Qinghai-Tibet train is truly an engineering wonder.
Tour Package A
Depart Los Angeles (LAX) for Beijing June 7, 2010
Depart Chengdu for Los Angeles (LAX) June 19, 2011
Tour route: Beijing/Luoyang/Tianshui/Xining/Golmud/Lhasa/Chengdu
13 days, airfare included
From $3118 (4 in one cabin room)
From $3418 (2 in one cabin room)
Tax & fuel surcharge: $338 up (subject to change)

Tour Package B
Depart Los Angeles (LAX) for Chengdu June 8, 2011
Depart Beijing for Los Angeles (LAX) June 20, 2011
Tour route: Chengdu/Lhasa/Golmud/Xining/Tianshui/Luoyang/Beijing
13 days, airfare included
From $2968 for 4 in one cabin room
From $3198 for 2 in one cabin room
Tax & fuel surcharge: $338 up (subject to change)

Both tours include: Trans-Pacific air, ground transfers and intra-China flights, luxurious China Orient Express train, deluxe hotels, meals as listed in the schedule, English or Chinese-speaking tour guide, air conditioned tour bus.

Not included: Tax & fuel surcharge, gratuity for driver and tour guide.
For more information, contact Spring Tour:
Phone: 800.627.0886
Email: shanghaispringtours@gmail.com
www.spring-tour.com

Tibet Travel Permit
Foreign passport holders (including the Taiwanese and non-Chinese ID card holders) must have a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet. When applying for a travel permit, you must provide your pertinent information and documents prior to your applications for a permit: Name (as appears on your passport), nationality, age, gender, occupation, passport number as well as the photocopies of your passport and visa.
Spring Tour, 1212 S. Atlantic Blvd. #101 Alhambra, CA 91803

Jumeirah and Dubai Duty Free have announced the launch of their new five star luxury hotel at The Aviation Club Dubai.
DUBAI, UAE,– Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and member of Dubai Holding, and Dubai Duty Free, the world’s No.1 airport retailer, have signed a management agreement together to operate a five star luxury hotel at The Aviation Club which is situated close to the Airport on the north side of Al Garhoud Bridge overlooking Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.

The hotel has been carefully designed in a contemporary style that projects understated luxury. It will have 293 guestrooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars and 2 lounges, as well as a spa and health club, and conference and banqueting facilities. The hotel sits within the grounds of The Aviation Club, the internationally acclaimed sports and leisure complex, home to the Dubai Tennis Championships and the award-winning Irish Village.

Colm McLoughlin, managing director of Dubai Duty Free said: “We are delighted to sign the management agreement with Jumeirah Group who have a great deal of experience in operating some of the most iconic hotels in Dubai and have expanded considerably in recent years. We are confident that the new hotel will be a valued addition to the business and leisure facilities in Dubai and compliment the successful Aviation Club.”

Gerald Lawless, executive chairman of Jumeirah Group, said: “We are honoured to have been invited by Dubai Duty Free to operate this exceptional luxury business hotel. It gives Jumeirah additional presence in the heart of Dubai and we look forward to delivering our promise of STAY DIFFERENT at the property when it opens.”

The hotel’s proximity to the airport and the wide range of sporting and leisure activities in the vicinity is expected to make this latest Hotel in Dubai popular with high-end business and leisure travellers, as well as local residents.

The Dubai central hotel is currently under development and is expected to open during 2011. Jumeirah Group expects to open at least six other hotels in 2011, including Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Dubai, Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vitavelli in the Maldives, Jumeirah Frankfurt as well as potential openings in Azerbaijan and Kuwait.

About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Himalayas hotel, New York luxury hotels and Frankfurt luxury hotel.

Website: http://www.jumeirah.com

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships present exciting matches between famous tennis players during February 14th and February 26th. Dubai Holiday Dreams offers different types of accommodation in Dubai during this event.
DUBAI, UAE,/ — The annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships started this year on the 14th of February and will end on the 26th of February. It’s the 19th edition of the event and part of the ATP-World-Tour 500 and the WTA-Tour. Therefore, famous players like Roger Federer who has won 16 Grand Slam single titles and who is ranked World No. 2, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva or Francesca Schiavone participate. Last year, Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams won the tournament.

The event is started by the women who play from 14.-20. February and after that, the men will play from 21.-26. February. The prize money amounts altogether 4 Million US-Dollar.

Venue for this event is the Dubai Tennis Stadium in the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Garhood which you can reach by Dubai Metro. The Stadium was inaugurated in February 1996 and it has been voted “Best Venue” by players on the ATP World Tour for three consecutive years. It consists of a 5,000 seat centre court, VIP area, press office and press interview rooms, TV commentary boxes and changing rooms.
If there aren’t any tennis games, it is used for boxing contests or music concerts for artists like Sting, Gerri Haliwell, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Gaynor, Coolio, or Shaggy.

After some exciting contests, Dubai invites its tourists to relax and enjoy at one of its beautiful beaches. People interested in culture can discover for example the old town Bastakiya with its little shops, small alleys and traditional houses or they can visit the Arabic markets which are called souks.
The German travel agency „Dubai Holiday Dreams” offers a lot of different journeys into this interesting city. It’s possible to book apartments, cheap 2-Star-Hotels or a luxury hotel like the Burj Al Arab on the website http://www.dubai-holiday-dreams.com

Late last year, nine geological sites on Jeju Island (South Korea) received recognition as UNESCO Global Geoparks from the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The Jeju sites are the first in Korea to earn this recognition and with it, Jeju Island becomes the only place in the world with three UNESCO certifications, following its Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site designations in 2002 and 2007 respectively.

UNESCO’s support for Global Geoparks aims to safeguard, educate and sustainably manage landscapes and formations of outstanding geological, archaeological and ecological value and promote tourism around these sites to benefit local economies.

The nine sites begin with Korea’s highest mountain and dormant basalt volcano Mount Hallasan (1,950 meters). Standing at the centre of Jeju Island it has around 360 parasitic cones on its flanks creating a remarkable landscape. On top of the mountain is a crater lake which is 3 kilometres in circumference and 500 metres in diameter. The landscape is beautiful throughout the year and a diverse and rare ecosystem can be found at different altitudes.

Seongsan Ilchulbong or Sunrise Peak as it’s more commonly known (182metres) rose from the sea in a series of volcanic eruptions beginning over 100,000 years ago. The site resembles an old fortress on a coastal cliff and was originally a volcanic island but was later connected as sand and gravel accumulated between the island and shore. Watching the sunrise from the peak is considered one of the most magic things to do on Jeju Island.

Jeju Island has the longest lava tube in the world in Manjanggul Cave. Over 13 kilmometres long and five metres wide the lava tube was formed about 2.5 million years ago. The lava tube has been well preserved revealing a splendid interior that is out of this world.

The Seogwipo Stratum is the only marine sedimentary formation created in Korea during the Pliocene Period from 5.3million to 2.6 million years ago. Situated in Seohong-dong in Seogwipo-si, the formation contains fossils of thick shell along coastal cliffs. The stratum has a high academic value as it offers valuable information on the environment and marine life of the era it was formed.

A popular honeymoon photo location Cheonjiyeon Falls creates a splendid view of water falling from a steep cliff which is a habitat for rare plants.

Jusangjeolli Cliffs refer to the set of black, rock pillars of rectangular or hexagonal shapes on the east coast of Jungmun Tourist Resort. As if carved by stonemasons the pillars are evidence of nature’s awesome power. The sight of waves crashing against the columns is truly spectacular.

Situated on the southwest coast of Jeju Island, Sanbangsan Mountain (395 metres) is a volcanic formation in the shape of a bell. The mountain has two Buddhist Temples. A walk up the stone staircase leads to a sea cave called Sanbanggul. Inside is a temple called Sanbanggulsa containing a Buddhist statue. The rare plants on the cliffs are designated and preserved as natural monuments.

Yongmeori Beach is a ten minute walk from Sangbangsan Mountain. The location’s name literally mans Dragon’s Head because of the resemblance to a dragon wading out to sea. The coastal area offers great walking areas and splendid landscapes created from persistent waves.

Suwolbong Peak, a small cone (77metres) on the western side of the island is located at the end of an expansive field and this area is best known for its wonderful sunset views.

See the official travel website for Korea for more information on Jeju Island’s geological wonders: www.visitkorea.or.kr

For those visitors into nature and walking one of the best ways to see Jeju Island is by its ‘Olle’ Walking Paths. A special ‘Olle’ Pathway guide showing the six different routes allows visitors to see Jeju Island’s beautiful natural wonders and scenery along the way. Copies of the guide are available from Korea Tourism Organization by email: visitkorea@knto.org.au  or phone: 02)9252-4147/8

Premier India tours company Indus Travels is bound to satisfy any “neo-frugal traveler” with their new, 15 day, luxury “Maharaja India Tour,” which includes free international airfare from the U.S. or Canada for all bookings made by March 31, 2011. Travelers will see all the incredible highlights of India from $4,875 per person including airfare valued at around $1,500 per person.

Indus Travels’ newest offering is “just what the accountant ordered.” Travelers today are focused on getting maximum value for money and brag about how much they save, not spend, on their high-end excursions, according to TravelMole, a highly respected online travel news outlet.

The “Maharaja Tour” offers fantastic big bang-for-the-buck and a fascinating insight into Magical India, as called by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, an organization which in 2010 named Indus Travels the best tour company to India from the Americas for the third time.

On the trip, where style and comfort are paramount, travelers will have the opportunity to soak up India’s most alluring and enticing sights along the way. From the mysticism of Varanasi and the majesty of the Taj Mahal to the palaces of Rajasthan, travelers will immerse themselves in the local culture by day and enjoy such luxurious accommodations as the deluxe Oberoi properties by night.

Highlights of the trip include an elephant ride at Amber Fort & Palace, which served as the backdrop for the Mira Nair movie “Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love,” a morning boat ride on the Ganges, a safari in Ranthambore National Park, which boasts one of the country’s largest tiger populations and an impressive array of other animal and bird life, as well as the experience of an evening ceremony on the Ganges in Varanasi.

Indus Travels has scheduled five departures for small groups of up to 16 travelers from April 2011 until January 2012, for travelers keen to explore the mysticism and diversity of this fascinating destination on luxury tours to India par excellence.

About Indus Travels

Indus Travels’ forte is tours to India, from budget to deluxe, where they provide the most in-depth services of any North American tour company. The company that was established in India in 1990 and opened an office in Richmond, Canada, in 2001, maintains a large staff in New Delhi to handle all ground operations. Indus Travels also specializes in tours to other Asian destinations such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, and offers both custom tours and small group trips.

For more information, visit www.industravels.ca  or call (866) 978-2997.

The Rezidor Hotel Group will open its 10th hotel in West Africa — the 168-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Accra in Ghana in 2013. “We are delighted to add a new hotel in a new country to our portfolio which now comprises 37 hotels and almost 8,300 rooms in operation and under development across 15 African countries,” said Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Accra, will be located in the business district of the Ghanaian capital, a five-minute walk from the beach. Besides 168 guest rooms which includes 20 apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms, the property will offer a restaurant, two bars, meeting space, a gym and an outdoor swimming pool.

One of the most economically and politically stable countries in Africa, Ghana has experienced several years of sustained economic growth, despite the global economic situation. Good fiscal management and high prices for key commodities like gold and cocoa have sustained the economy and the IMF projects accelerated growth for the coming years. Moreover, in December 2010 Ghana began to pump its first commercial oil from the offshore Jubilee Field, which contains an estimated 1.5 billion barrels of oil, and is projected to generate $1 billion in government revenues annually. For more information, visit www.radissonblu.com

On Feb. 17, in Taiwan’s Miaoli County, throngs of residents and tourists celebrated the opening of the island’s annual 13-day light show, the Lantern Festival. In New York, more than half a world away, Michelin unveiled its first tourist guide for Taiwan. Prepared with the assistance of the Taiwanese Government Information Office, the English version of the Michelin Green Guide Taiwan will go on sale April 1.

Cynthia Ochterbeck, editor-in-chief of Michelin’s English-language Green Guides, said, “After spending lots of time learning and writing about this great destination, our writers were eager to offer our readers this collection of the best things to see and do in Taiwan.” Michelin sells more than 10 million maps and guides each year.

Taiwan welcomed 5.3 million visitors in 2010, according to the Taiwanese Tourism Bureau. To prepare the guide, Michelin dispatched a 10-member, international, English-speaking team. The team included eight authors, many of them residents of Taiwan — all experts on Taiwan and inveterate travelers who explored the island for several months, verifying information and selecting featured sites. The authors were supported by Michelin Group teams, who have been operating in Asia for more than 40 years. The Michelin Green Guide Taiwan is divided into three parts — blue for the “Planning Your Trip” section, orange for “Introduction to Taiwan” and green for “Discovering Taiwan.”

In Planning Your Trip, the authors suggest four itineraries for driving tours that enable travelers to discover Taiwan’s scenery, which includes tea plantations, temples and Taiwan’s many hot springs. Other suggestions include hikes for walkers of all levels, as well as opportunities for swimming and cycling. The authors have also added activities for families and a schedule of popular events such as the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, the Yanshui Fireworks Festival and the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage. This section also contains a wealth of information travelers should know before they go, including useful words and phrases in Mandarin.

The second section — Introduction to Taiwan — contains an overview of Taiwanese society today, its habits and customs, and its traditional hospitality, with a focus on the island’s especially rich culinary heritage that mixes elements of native, Chinese and Japanese cooking. This section also helps readers understand the history of the island, which was long known as Formosa.

The third section of the guide — Discovering Taiwan — provides more detailed information on the sites to visit. It is divided into six micro-regions extending from Taipei, the island’s modern, cosmopolitan capital, to the East Coast, where nature is still intact. The map on the cover flap allows readers to see in a glance all the important sites, which are rated with stars. These sites are then presented in detail along with suggested lodging accommodations and restaurants selected by the editorial team with an eye toward all budgets.

Regardless of the guide or destination, stars are always awarded according to the same Michelin criteria — the impression made on the visitor upon arrival, the site’s renown, its cultural heritage, its convenience and visitor-friendliness, its authenticity and charm, the quality of the reception, and other factors. Three stars mean “highly recommended,” two stars “recommended” and one star “interesting.”

Taiwan features 38 three-star attractions, including Taipei, with the Taipei 101 tower and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, as well as the old city of Tainan and its temples, and the historic seaside town of Danshui; the natural wonders of the island’s National Parks — Taroko with its gorge, Yangmingshan and Kenting — as well as Purple Butterfly Valley; the monasteries of Chung Tai Chan in Puli and Foguangshan north of Kaohsiung as well as the temples of Longshan and Bao’an in Taipei and Nankunshen near Tainan; the Muzha tea plantation just outside Taipei; the National Palace Museum; the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium near Kenting National Park; the Lin Family Garden and Mansion in Banqiao; the Beitou Hot Springs; and the Alishan forest railway. The destination also includes 142 two-star and 138 one-star sites. For more information, visit www.michelin-us.com  or www.taipeiitf.org.tw

Ethiopian Airlines and ET African Journeys is offering a special introductory offer of a deluxe nine-day safari to Tanzania, home of the famous Serengeti National Park. The price of $2,259 plus taxes, including airfare, deluxe accommodations, games drives and transfers, most meals, no single supplements, with fixed departure dates in March and April.

Michael Goren, president of ET African Journeys, a Group IST company, who has traveled extensively in East Africa, said, “A Tanzanian safari is like no other. The Serengeti, together with Tanzania’s 14 other national parks, offer a rare opportunity to see a proliferation of wildlife in such an unbelievable magnitude. The quality of the parks and lodges, together with the quantity of observable wildlife in their natural habitat, make for an absolutely unforgettable experience. Add to that the warmth of the Tanzanian people and it truly does become a trip of a lifetime, and in this case, now very affordable.”

The safari highlights include Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Guaranteed window seats on all 4×4 safari vehicles ensure for the most exhilarating experience. Guests will first arrive in Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania, and stay at East African All Suite Hotel. All lodges on the safari are part of the five-star Serena Lodges, located adjacent to the National Parks. There are optional extensions to Tanzania’s “spice islands” of Zanzibar, recently named one of “41 Places to Go in 2011” by the New York Times. The islands are known for its white sandy beaches, exotic spice tours, and the rich cultural heritage of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Guaranteed departure dates are March 31, April 2, 7, 9, 14, 28 and 30. Roundtrip flights are provided by Ethiopian Airlines, the only air carrier that provides non-stop service between Washington Dulles Airport to Tanzania via Addis Ababa on its new Boeing 777s. For more information, visit www.etafricanjourneys.com  or www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

Culinary travel specialist Tour de Forks launched three new epicurean adventures in Turkey, including a five-day package in Istanbul, a four-day package in Cappadocia, and a three-day cooking school program in the Aegean village of Ula with authority on Turkish cuisine Engin Akin. “These packages are created for foodies — and around Tour de Forks’ philosophy of discovering a destination and its history, culture and people through its cuisine. Learning about the storied Ottoman Empire while tasting dishes created centuries ago, by its cooks, is as fun and fascinating as indulging in Istanbul’s dynamic street food scene,” said Tour de Forks’ Vice President Connie Walsh.

In addition to a wealth of authentic culinary experiences and memorable dining, the high-touch packages offer guided tours of the iconic sites like Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Göreme. Orientation and services of a professional guide on all private transfers and tours are included and accommodations are deluxe. The “Tasting Istanbul” package features two private guided culinary walking tours in Beyoglu and the Old City, an exploration of the Spice Market and a cooking lesson with a home-hosted dinner. “Tasting Cappadocia” is based in the five-star Argos Hotel and culinary highlights are a cooking demonstration — and lunch — of regional specialties and a visit to the Turasan Winery. The venue for “Cooking with Engin Akin” is Akin’s former family home, in the tiny village of Ula, which she has converted to an elegant B&B. It’s a three-day immersion in Turkish cuisine with hands-on lessons and demonstrations of artisanal methods.

The packages and cooking school can be booked independently or combined. Tour de Forks can arrange for internal, domestic air between destinations and other bespoke arrangements in Turkey including a visit to ancient Ephesus and luxury gullet cruises. For more information, call 888-345-3005 or visit www.tourdeforks.com