Jetsettersblog

Curacao’s Kura Hulanda Resorts is offering three special guest promotions. “Curacao Now” offers travelers one free night, a $200 food and beverage credit, one complimentary diving excursion and two complimentary tickets to the Museum Kura Hulanda.

The resort’s “One, Two, Three” promotion offers guests a third night free, daily buffet breakfast for two, a three-day complimentary car rental (for lodge guests) and access to the Mansion Executive Lounge (for hotel guests).

Finally, the “Afternoon of Culture” offers vacationers entrance to the Musuem Kura Hulanda and lunch for two at Kura Hulanda’s Museum Restaurant.

For more information, visit www.kurahulanda.com

Sandals Resorts is launching a “Greatest Love Story” contest, under which consumers can upload a video of their personal love story to the Sandals website.

The contest coincides with the resort’s 30th anniversary.

In every month for six months thereafter, a Sandals Resorts panel of judges will pick a finalist, and the public will have the opportunity to vote online for their favorite video.

Videos that are chosen each month will become eligible for either the contest’s grand prize or runner-up prizes.

The couple whose story is considered by Sandals to be the most compelling will win a seven-night vacation to Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica, the company’s first resort, and will be invited to attend the company’s exclusive 30th anniversary celebration.

The couple will stay in one of the resort’s luxurious, butler-serviced Love Nest Suites, complete with private luxury airport transfers, and will be treated to a Beautiful Beginnings-themed Sandals Wedding by Martha Stewart or a complimentary vow renewal ceremony.

In addition to roundtrip airline tickets, the grand prize winner will also receive a signature West Indian couples’ massage at the award-winning Red Lane Spa, plus a sunset catamaran cruise from Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours.

The six remaining finalists will win three-night vacations for two to any Sandals Resort in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua or The Bahamas.

Entries must be submitted by Aug. 14, 2011, for consideration.

For more information, visit www.sandals.com/greatestlovestory

Landry’s, Inc., parent company of the Golden Nugget Las Vegas and Laughlin, said it has agreed to buy the Trump Marina Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City from Trump Entertainment for $38 million.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2011, is subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Trump Entertainment Resorts expects to use the net proceeds from the transaction to reduce its long-term debt.

“We are excited to bring the Golden Nugget back to Atlantic City,” said Tilman Fertitta, Landry’s president.

“Our plan is to transform the Trump Marina into a luxurious and exciting hotel and casino with the highest level of service. All improvements are expected to be completed by the end of this year.”

The Golden Nugget will honor all existing Trump Marina customer points and rewards, not only in Atlantic City but also in the Las Vegas and Laughlin Golden Nuggets, according to Landry’s. Pending regulatory approvals necessary to complete the purchase, Landry’s plans to begin making changes to the property and transform the hotel-casino into a Golden Nugget resort destination in the upscale Marina District next to the Borgata and Harrah’s.

The new Golden Nugget, the only casino with a full service marina, will continue the transformation of Atlantic City into a premier resort destination and feature a number of Landry’s award-winning restaurant concepts including Chart House overlooking the huge marina, Red Sushi, Lillie’s Asian Cuisine and Noodle Bar and nationally acclaimed Grotto Italian Ristorante and Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse.

The entire property will be updated with a fresh modern look to include new bars and lounges with live entertainment, stylish retail offerings and totally updated rooms and suites.

The high energy Rush Lounge and a new After Hours club will complement the new spa, poker room, race and keno room, improved showroom and the H2O Pool and Lounge, which will introduce all season hot tubs and fire pits.

The updated rooms and suites will provide upscale accommodations for the Golden Nugget guests.

The Golden Nugget has strong brand recognition worldwide, and especially in Atlantic City where the Golden Nugget Atlantic City operated a casino-resort from 1980 to 1987.

Since Landry’s purchased the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, it has invested more than $300 million to renovate and expand the property.

For more information, call 800-634-3454 or visit www.trumpcasinos.com or www.goldennugget.com

Colorado’s Vail Cascade Resort is offering special packages in conjunction with its second annual SpringFest, which takes place March 7 through April 24.

Four-night packages, which are valid March 6 to 30 and April 3 to 24, start at a nightly rate of $169 and $129 per person, double, respectively, and include a $500 resort credit, which can be used at Atwater on Gore Creek, Cascade Village Market, Fireside Lounge, Aria Spa and Club or children’s activities. Seven-night packages valid on those same dates start at $149 and $109, respectively, and include an $800 resort credit.

SpringFest is the resort’s annual “spring-break-palooza,” with entertainment options that include live music, face painting, s’mores by the fire and spa specials.

Most of the activities are free. Après ski parties will feature live music and food and drink specials at the Fireside Bar, the Tavern and Atwater on Gore Creek, with seating available on the Creekside deck, weather permitting.

For younger SpringFest participants, the schedule of KidVenture activities includes arts and crafts, indoor tennis lessons, and a fitness-focused “boot camp” for kids.

For adults, spa specials start at $114 for massages.

All ages will enjoy one of the highlights of the Vail Cascade SpringFest promotion — a return performance by the legendary “Vail Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team,” a lighthearted spectacle of men who march in formation with lawn chairs.

Last year, the crowd that witnessed the drill team’s performance were treated to new and brought-out-of retirement members performing the signature moves that were once featured during the team’s visit to President Bush’s White House inauguration in 2001.

All ages are invited to enjoy the return of the VPLCDT at Vail Cascade Resort on March 7, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Springtime in Vail also includes popular public events such as Spring Back to Vail, with free concerts by national music acts and the official World Pond Skimming Championships.

The Taste of Vail, a three-day gourmet food festival, returns for its 21st year, promising attendees a chance to “taste the Vail lifestyle.” The Grand Tasting of the Taste of Vail will be hosted by Vail Cascade Resort, and tickets can be purchased online through the event’s website at www.tasteofvail.com.

Other highlights include the Vail Film Festival and a celebration of the latest Vail ski area closing date in the resort’s history, April 24.

Brett Schoenfield, general manager of the Vail Cascade Resort, said, “Our goal for SpringFest at Vail Cascade is to offer a light-hearted welcome to spring.

Last year’s success solidified that we plan on continuing this annual event as a ‘can’t miss’ party.” To book a package, call 800-420-2424 and use promotional code vcr11springbrk1.

For general information, visit www.vailcascade.com

A fifth-generation cousin of composer Anton Dvorak, Bill Dvorak has been running rivers commercially longer than anyone else in Colorado. With a personal penchant for classical music and an acoustically outstanding natural setting to perform in, the Classical Music River Journey was born in 1983.

Twenty-eight years later, strains of Bach, Beethoven, Ravel and the company’s namesake, Dvorak, will again blend with the morning chorus of birds, rippling sounds of the river and the drum roll of the rapids.

Guests will join members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic this summer on a seven- or eight-day music journey with nature as the stage.

Four or more concerts are scheduled throughout the week-long journeys, including a formal concert near the conclusion of the tour.

The concert halls are the acoustically rich alcoves, slickrock canyons and caverns located along each river, open-air stages nestled among Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir.

“The idea first emerged following a rafting trip on which a member of the LA Philharmonic participated,” said Bill Dvorak, owner and founder of Dvorak Raft, Kayak and Fishing Expeditions.

“One year later, four members agreed to sign on and the first journey of its kind in the U.S. embarked.”

Two Classical Music Trip options are offered for the 2011 season. The first is on the Dolores River in southwest Colorado, June 4 to 10, from $2,100 per person, followed by the July 23 to 30 journey down Utah’s Green River through Desolation Canyon and is priced at $2,290 per person.

Rates include all meals, rafting equipment, guides, musical concerts daily and activities throughout the trip. Dvorak plans each trip with ample leisure time allowing down moments to just soak up the sun, read, float along the river and listen to daily practice sessions.

In addition to rafting and music, trips include side excursions to ancient Fremont Indian ruins, wildlife viewing, hiking and impromptu land and river musical performances.

At night guests and performers mingle over campfire conversation and dinners of blackened salmon, steaks, salads, garden vegetables and Black Forest Cake accompanied by hors d’oeuvres and vintage wines.

Bill and Jaci Dvorak have been operating Dvorak Raft, Kayak and Fishing Expeditions since 1979.

As one of the early pioneers of white water river rafting in the Rocky Mountains, the Dvoraks own the first outfitter license issued by the state of Colorado.

Their river trips, white water skills camp and swift water training programs are world renowned and have been featured in National Geographic, the Chicago Tribune and seen on ESPN and various television specials.

For more information, call 719-539-6851 or 800-824-3795, email info@dvorakexpeditions.com or visit www.dvorakexpeditions.com  Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about Dvorak’s Classical Rafting Trip.

Due to demand, Windstar Cruises this year is offering more seven-night cruises in the Greek Isles between Athens and Istanbul. For the first time in six years, the 312-guest Wind Surf will sail the Greek Isles with the 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit.

Special fares on select sailings start from $2,999 per person, double occupancy.

In addition, guests receive a shipboard credit of $300 per person, for a maximum of $600 per stateroom, if booked in a Category B or A stateroom.

The credit increases to $500 per person, for a maximum of $1,000 per suite, for guests in suites on Wind Surf.

The offer is good on new bookings only and expires Feb. 28.

The Wind Surf’s six Greek Isles voyages depart on July 16, July 23, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15. Wind Star’s 18 Greek Isles departures are May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27, Sept. 3, Sept. 10, Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8. Wind Spirit Greek Isles voyages depart May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, Sept. 10 and Sept. 17.

Ports of call include Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes, Greece, and Bodrum, Kusadasi and Istanbul, Turkey.

For more information, call 800-258-7245 or visit www.windstarcruises.com

American Eagle Airlines has announced its summer schedule to Rapid City, offering a second nonstop flight from Rapid City Regional Airport to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport from June 9 to Aug. 22, in addition to daily nonstop seasonal service to O’Hare International Airport.

Eagle will operate the service with 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 jets. Eagle will maintain daily service from Rapid City to Chicago on a seasonal basis, beginning June 10 and continuing through Aug. 22.

Hawaiian Airlines took the next step in its growth strategy by announcing new daily, nonstop flights between Honolulu and Osaka, Japan — its third new Asia destination in recent months. Subject to Japan government approval, Hawaiian’s inaugural flight from Honolulu International Airport to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport is scheduled for July 12, with the inaugural return flight from Osaka to Honolulu on July 13.

Hawaiian’s new Osaka flights will add approximately 100,000 new air seats annually to Hawaii from Japan, the state’s second-largest market for visitors. Osaka will be the third city in Asia that Hawaiian has introduced to its route structure in recent months, following the start of service to Seoul in January 2011, and Tokyo in November 2010.

Florence Henderson will set sail with Corky Ballas, her partner from “Dancing with the Stars,” on a Caribbean cruise in January 2012.

The pair will be the main attraction of Cruise Gourmet Voyages’ Ballroom Dance Celebration At Sea 2012.

Also onboard will be two of Henderson’s “Brady Bunch” children — Barry Williams (“Greg Brady”) and Susan Olsen (“Cindy Brady”).

The dance cruise will be held on the seven-night Jan. 7 departure of Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse from Miami to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

The cruise will feature dance exhibitions, group lessons and Q&A with the stars. Call 877-625-5959 or visit www.crowncruisevacations.com/cruise_lines/celebrity/dancing/index2.asp

Southwest Airlines Vacations is offering reduced priced on air/hotel packages for three or more nights to Southern California.

Packages must be booked before  March 3 by 6 p.m. CT for travel through April 30.

Seven-day advance purchase is required.

Black-out dates apply. The deal applies to packages for Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), Orange County (SNA) or San Diego (SAN).

Southwest Airlines Vacations offers vacation packages to more than 80 destinations with flight service available from every scheduled Southwest Airlines departure city. Southwest Airlines Vacations is located in Orlando and operated by The Mark Travel Corporation (TMTC). TMTC is a member of the USTOA $1 Million Traveler’s Assistance Program and ASTA TOP.