Jetsettersblog

TAMPA, Fl.;–The Pantanal is the largest inundated plain in the world and is a refuge for endangered species like the jaguar, hyacinth macaw, the giant anteater and the giant otter.

The dry and wet seasons are a remarkable characteristic of this ecosystem and dictate the rhythm of the incredible wild life sheltered in its ecosystem.

There are an estimated 3,500 species of plants, 124 species of mammals, 177 species of reptiles, 41 species of amphibians and at least 423 species of birds.

On this new ecotour by Terra Incognita Ecotours, guests can be fairly certain you will see WILD jaguar.

At Fazenda Baía das Pedras, Fazenda Santa Teresa and the remarkable Jaguar Research Camp, all located in the Brazilian section of the Pantanal, travelers also have the opportunity to spot numerous species like the marsh deer, pampas deer, capybara, caimans, howler monkeys, tapir, peccaries, toucans, jabiru stork and of course both red and yellow macaws, and the stunning hyacinth macaw.

Dates: July 25th to August 2nd, 2011 and August 2nd – 10th August, 2011.

Cost is $5,999 per person.

Single supplement is $1,000.

www.ecotours.com

SOUTHWEST Idaho- Ladies get ready for a travel smorgasbord in Southwest Idaho.

Pick a season and the adventures will roll in. This winter head up to Brundage Mountain Resort to help celebrate their 50th season. Ready to learn how to tackle powder and steeps with your closest gal pals or are you more of a hot cocoa snow bunny?

In Spring get your mind and body in shape during a weekend yoga retreat or golf lessons and a day or two at the spa.

During the hot summer months spend a weekend learning river maneuvers and whitewater safety during Ladies Weekend Out at Cascade Kayak School.

After you’ve mastered all the strokes head over toKelly’s Whitewater Park, a newly opened natural whitewater park located on the Payette.

During the fall learn about this history and art of Boise. Take a historic trolley tour of the city followed by a cooking class and wine tasting at the Basque Market.

Year round customized trips are available through Idaho Winery Tours, perhaps wine and theater or fly-fishing, and aboard the luxurious Texan rail car. Watch the leaves turn in autumn or buds bloom in spring as you speed between Horseshoe Bend and Banks in style. No matter the season ladies can expand their minds, tackle new adventures, and spoil their taste buds in Southwest Idaho.

www.visitsouthwestidaho.com

Luxury tour operator Travcoa introduced two new, small-group escorted journeys for autumn focused on the culinary pleasures of the Iberian Peninsula and Southeast Asia. Travelers on each journey will explore local markets, learn the nuances of authentic regional dishes, and experience some of the world’s most celebrated cuisines through visits to small, local restaurants and well-known, fine-dining establishments.

Culinary Asia is a 15-day journey beginning Sept. 10 and delving deep into the culinary heritage of Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hong Kong.

Designed and led by veteran Travcoa travel director Amber Medkiff, this journey will uncover the unique spices, ancient secrets and modern techniques used in preparing each region’s distinctive delicacies through cooking classes at famous schools in each destination.

The itinerary also includes comprehensive daily sightseeing and special events such as a private visit to the renowned Prasart Museum in Bangkok, an elephant trekking adventure to visit the indigenous tribes in Northern Thailand, and an outdoor Tai Chi class in Hong Kong. Hotels for Culinary Asia are some of the world’s top addresses including the famed Raffles Hotel Singapore, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and The Peninsula Hong Kong.

The all-inclusive land price for Culinary Asia is $9,995 per person, based on double occupancy.

Flavors of Iberia is a 15-day adventure through Portugal and Spain to experience the diversity of excellent food and wines on the Iberian Peninsula. Departing on Aug, 31 the journey will be guided by Travcoa’s popular Argentinean travel director Marta Luna. Flavors of Iberia first explores the history and culinary delicacies of Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, the Porto region and the Douro Valley sampling Portugal’s cheeses, olives and wines en route.

Guests will then venture into Northern Spain to discover the history and cuisines of the medieval Basque towns of Baiona, Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastian before concluding in Barcelona. Daily sightseeing highlights include wine tastings, a private cruise on the Douro River, privately guided tours of the pilgrimage sites and fishing villages along the route a plus a privately guided visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Accommodations are in a variety of the region’s top properties, from boutique luxury hotels such as Lisbon’s Lapa Palace and Barcelona’s El Palace, to the modern Gran Hotel Domine in Bilbao and three elegant, historic Spanish paradores. The all-inclusive land price for Flavors of Iberia is $15,995 per person double occupancy.

Both Itineraries are for one date only and have been designed by the leaders of the journeys in order to make the most of personal contacts and insider knowledge.

Each journey is limited to a maximum of 18 guests and include deluxe accommodations, daily sightseeing, all meals, cooking classes, excursions, tips and fees.

Travcoa has been leading culinary journeys and in-depth explorations of the world’s most interesting destinations since 1954, and offers three types of travel experiences around the globe — small-group Escorted Journeys with comprehensive itineraries and guided by professional travel directors; pre-designed and priced Independent Journeys for travelers who prefer an exclusive traveling party and departure date; and bespoke Tailor-Made Journeys crafted specifically to individual traveler specificatons.

For more information, call 800-992-2005 or visit www.travcoa.com

Spend April Fools Weekend diving with Neal Watson, World’s Scuba Depth & Distance Record Holder, Scuba Radio host Greg (The Divemaster) Holt and Mermaids, at the new world class dive operation, Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini located at the Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort.

The package includes:

Friday: Sunset cruise aboard the 60’ Bimini Blue Glassbottom Dive Boat with music and adult beverages.

Saturday: Two tank morning dive off Bimini Island returning for lunch and then a special afternoon snorkel with the wild dolphins, or join Neal, Greg and Mermaids for a live remote Scuba Radio broadcast.

Sunday: Two tank day trip to the Victory Reef and Tuna Alley South of Bimini off Cay Cay. (Sunday diving not included on a 3 day / 2 night package).

3 day / 2 night $592.00
4 day / 3 night $769.00

Package Price based on a per person rate / double occupancy in the room

Package includes

Round trip airfare from Fort Lauderdale including US Departure Taxes ($20.00 Bahamian departure tax not included)
All New Guestrooms & Facilities
Sunset Cruise
2 Tank Dive Daily (excluding arrival & departure days)
Special Wild Dolphin Encounter
Tanks, Weights & Belts
You may extend your package stay, call for prices.

You may extend your package stay, call 800-867-4764 or email: sales@guyharveyoutpost.com  for more information and prices….You should also check out www.BigGameClubBimini.com

You never know who may show up during the week!!!

Experience the sights and culture of the Amazon through the eyes of a fascinating Huaorani in Ecuador on this new tour offered by Detour, The Adventure Travel Marketplace.

The Huaorani have long inhabited the headwaters of the Amazon, living as nomadic hunters and gatherers with no outside contact until the 1950s.

Thanks to an innovative community based tourism project, the Huaorani Lodge was created to allow the Huaorani to earn an income while maintaining control of the their territory and lifestyle and giving them the means to share their culture with travelers. This new tour begins with a fantastic overland journey past snow covered volcanoes, down into the cloudforest to Shell, where guests board a small aircraft for the flight into the Amazon.

From there, travelers accompany their Huaorani guide downriver in a traditional dugout canoe to the Huaorani Ecolodge. Highlights include meeting the local Huaorani community, hike with Huaorani guides who demonstrate traditional ways of life, kayaking downriver for spectacular wildlife viewing and exploration, exploration of the community of nearby Quehueri’ono, accommodation in the Huaorani Ecolodge, learning about the conservation and preservation efforts of the local communities and environment, and much more.

www.detourdestinations.com

~ A Good Time For All ~

The excitement of SunFest is in the air. And so much to do. Walk along the yacht-lined waterfront as the breeze off the water envelops you; browse the incredible array of wonderful arts and crafts exhibits – what a fun way to shop; and don’t forget the incredible selection of food stands – the aromas will make you dizzy with hunger.

Nestled in the heart of Palm Beach, The Chesterfield Hotel is the perfect SunFest getaway. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Chesterfield is just steps from world-famous Worth Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean. It features 53 luxurious guest rooms and suites, the renowned Leopard Lounge and Restaurant, a tropical pool area, and intimate Library.

What better way to enjoy Palm Beach’s SunFest than to experience The Chesterfield Palm Beach’s SunFest package for two, which includes:

Accommodation in a beautifully appointed room or suite
Continental breakfast

Two tickets to SunFest for one day! Please advise your dates of preference

Make the most of the day with a late checkout of 4 PM, subject to availability

Complimentary valet for all drivers

Offered from April 27 through May 1,2011, the SunFest package is priced from $235.

Rates are based on two people sharing per night. The SunFest package is subject to availability may be changed without notice and is exclusive of taxes and gratuities.

Rates for SunFest accommodation only are from $159 exclusive of taxes and gratuities.

For details and reservations, please contact The Chesterfield Hotel direct at 1 800 243 7871 or email: bookchpb@rchmail.com. Visit us online at www.chesterfieldpb.com.

Notes to Editor:

View a complete list of Awards and Accolades for the Red Carnation Hotel Collection.

Follow The Chesterfield Palm Beach on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

About The Chestefield Palm Beach

The Chesterfield Palm Beach is an historic landmark building offering
stunning European style that effortlessly combines splendid luxury and outstanding comfort with classic English civility and exceptional service.

Located in the heart of the elite Palm Beach Island in Florida, this four star boutique hotel boasts 52 bedrooms and suites including The Penthouse, heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, poolside courtyard for alfresco dining, Leopard Lounge restaurant and Churchill’s cigar room, the Leopard Lounge bar offering traditional afternoon tea by day and live entertainment by night,

The Courtyard for alfresco dining, and meetings, events and wedding facilities for up to 125 guests.

This club-style hotel is located minutes from the elegant shops of Worth Avenue and the tropical beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, with the Flagler Museum, Kravis centre and world-class golf courses nearby. The Chesterfield Palm beach is a member of Small Luxury hotels of the World and part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection.

About The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

“No request is too large, no detail too small” is the ethos that inspires this luxury collection of thirteen five and four star outstanding boutique hotels. Each property has its own individual character and unique location that reflects the local environment, culture and cuisine.

They all share the qualities that win Red Carnation so many prestigious awards – splendid luxury, generous hospitality, inventive and traditional cuisine, private art collections, passionate service and loyal staff committed to creating richly rewarding experiences for all their guests.

RED CARNATION is a luxury award-winning collection of five and four star family-run boutique hotels

LONDON: The Milestone Hotel near Kensington Palace;
The 41 Hotel by Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews;
The Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge;
The Rubens at the Palace Hotel opposite Buckingham Palace;
The Montague on the Gardens Hotel adjacent to the British Museum; The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel in the heart of Mayfair

DORSET: Summer Lodge Country House Hotel Restaurant & Spa, Evershot

GUERNSEY: The Old Government House Hotel & Spa Channel Islands

GENEVA: Hotel d’Angleterre, overlooking Lake Geneva, Switzerland

PALM BEACH: The Chesterfield Palm Beach Hotel Florida

SOUTH AFRICA: The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape Town; Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, in the heart of the Cederberg Mountains in the Western Cape
The Oyster Box, Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu Natal

www.redcarnationhotels.com  | book@rchmail.com

The event gets underway in late March and runs until the end of April.
HONG KONG– Hong Kong’s 2011 International A Capella Festival will see musical groups from around the world perform in the city over the coming weeks.

The event kicks off at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on March 26th with the International A Capella Extravaganza. Two overseas acts – Vybration from the US and Japan’s Solzick – are expected to perform in front of almost 3,000 secondary school students.

Tickets are available for between HK$100 and HK$200 (GBP8 and GBP16). The show is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 local time.

Among other highlights is the A Capella Masters Series on April 1st, featuring five-time Grammy award winners The Swingle Singers, who are returning to Hong Kong after a decade away.

Admission to their show at the City Hall costs from HK$150 to HK$350. This performance also starts at 20:00.

Visitors looking for free entertainment can check out Alfresco A Capella on April 9th.

The likes of the Baron Singing Group, Hot Potters and Un Momento will take the stage in this showcase of local young musical talent. It gets underway at 15:00 in Hong Kong’s Cultural Centre.

Music lovers looking for Hong Kong hotels can find a large selection at AsiaRooms.com, such as the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. This hotel is just a ten-minute drive from the Cultural Centre.

More information can be found by heading to http://acappella.hkfyg.org.hk.

Editors Notes:

www.AsiaRooms.com is a leading online accommodation site in Asia offering deals in over 36,000 properties worldwide, including 7,000 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region ranging from individual beach huts to 5-star hotels and sprawling villas.

AsiaRooms.com offers customers a saving of up to 70 per cent off the normal room rate for a variety of independent and branded hotels. Customers can book online or by phone 24/7, whether booking 12 months or 12 minutes in advance – whatever time, whatever day.

The contemporary and inspirational online platform is styled for those seeking more interesting hotel options over the bland, obvious choices. Users can read from over 150,000 true hotel reviews, written by customers who have booked through AsiaRooms.com and actually stayed at the hotel.

To view more information about AsiaRooms.com, please visit http://www.asiarooms.com/about-us

The installation features more than 200 rare artefacts.

History buffs have until midway through next month to check out Genghis Khan: The Exhibition in Singapore.

The installation features more than 200 rare treasures from the conqueror’s 13th century reign. It aims to shed some light on one of history’s most misunderstood leaders by looking at his cultural creativity, technological mastery and innovation.

Influences of the Mongol empire can still be seen today in fields as diverse as international law and finance.

As well as boasting the largest collection of Khan artefacts ever assembled, the exhibition includes stunning recreations of Mongolian battlegrounds and grasslands.

The display opened to the public in February 2011 at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum and is due to run until April 10th.

Admission is priced at $30 (GBP18.60) for adults, $27 for seniors and $17 for children aged between two and 12. Groups of 25 or more can take advantage of the discounted rate of $24.50 per ticket.

The building is open from 10:00 to 22:00 local time every day. Visitors are not allowed to enter after 21:00.

Genghis Khan: The Exhibition is just one of the installations currently running at the ArtScience Museum. The institution has 21 galleries spread over three floors, incorporating more than 4,800 sq m of space.

Culture vultures looking for Singapore hotels can head to AsiaRooms.com, which recommends the Raffles Hotel Singapore, located close to a number of the city’s most popular attractions.

Visit http://www.marinabaysands.com/ArtScienceMuseum  for more information.

These two properties take the number of MGallery properties in Thailand to three, suggesting that more travelers to the country are seeking out unique experiences

BANGKOK, THAILAND– MGallery is proud to announce the addition of two distinctive resorts to the collection of unique hotels in Thailand – Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai and Veranda Resort & Spa Hua Hin-Cha Am.

MGallery is Accor’s label of upscale hotels. Each hotel within the collection is of individualistic personality and charm, and are categorised under one of the four themes – Vision, Design, History and Location.

“We are delighted to add these two properties to the MGallery Collection,” says Oswald Pichler, Vice President of Accor Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. “The two Veranda resorts will accommodate guests seeking unique and personalised experiences in Thailand’s most well-known retreat destinations: Chiang Mai in the north and Hua Hin – Cha Am on the gulf of Thailand.”

Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai

Categorised under the “location” theme, Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai nestles in a serene setting amongst the lush greenery of the Chiang Mai’s highlands. Each of the 69 spacious and deluxe rooms and villas has a large balcony overlooking a stunning view of the breathtaking landscape and an ambiance which blends the northern traditional arts with the plush comfort of a contemporary hotel.

Surasak Wongkiatthaworn, Managing Director of Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai says, “Amidst the beautiful mountains and in a cultural setting of Thailand’s north where cool and calm is the norm, guests can find that their stay here becomes a very soothing experience where time slows and they can eventually feel themselves as one with nature.”

The resort’s design derives from its natural surroundings while highlighting the northern contemporary styles through the detail of its architecture. On the edge of the resort, a brickwork replica of Chiang Mai’s ancient city walls isolates the resort from the outside world creating a realm of its own.

Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai delivers its cuisine through prolific gastronomic venues – The Higher Room offers all day modern international and Thai cuisine dining with an outdoor al fresco with views of the pool and valley; while Rabiang Cha serving Lanna Thai cuisine with a contemporary twist in a traditional northern rice granary setting.

The resort’s leisure offer are comprehensive with a full-fledge relaxation facility which includes the Veranda Spa in private cottages with large sunken bath, steam shower and treatment beds; an infinity edged swimming pool on the roof terrace with stunning views of the mountains; conference facilities for groups up to 250 people with venues for smaller meetings/functions; a fitness centre; and a kid’s club.

Throughout the years, the outer bounds of Chiang Mai where the hotel is located, remains a somnolent area where guests can enjoy the peace and quiet while just a short distance from the animated, vibrant city.

Veranda Resort & Spa Hua Hin-Cha Am

Veranda Resort & Spa Hua Hin-Cha Am is a sumptuous resort in a calm setting located on the beachfront situated in between two famous beach destinations on the Gulf of Thailand: Hua Hin and Cha Am. With 118 rooms and villas, this peaceful retreat combines contemporary Asian designs with a fun and stylish touch that reflects an atmosphere of its tranquil surroundings, thus categorized under MGallery’s “design” theme.

“We pay attention to every detail of this hip and cool resort to unify the spectacular oriental style decor with the chic, yet cozy atmosphere of this secluded sanctuary promising guests a true experience of relaxation,” says Panit Boonyaratvej, Resort Manager of Veranda Resort & Spa Hua Hin-Cha Am.

The Dining Room, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant serves a wide variety of Western and Thai cuisines and lies within the heart of the hotel; while I Sea Restaurant spills into the outdoor al fresco and offers a wide selection of Thai and seafood dishes.

Guests can pamper themselves trying its impressive signature spa treatments and body exfoliations in the resort’s Veranda Spa, swim in its free-form swimming pool by the beach, or enjoying a good book while sunbathing under the sun on the resort’s sun decks.

Just two hours drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin-Cha Am have been favorite hideaways for Thai royalty and aristocrats for decades. Once humble fishing villages, both are now mature beach destinations that remain naturally attractive with peaceful allure.

Special hotel introductory promotion:

Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai and Veranda Resort & Spa Hua Hin-Cha Am are offering a special introductory promotion as follow:
- Guests staying for two (2) nights or more will receive a Spa voucher valued at THB 1,500 per stay.
- Only for bookings via mgallery.com website
- Validity from now until June 30, 2011

For reservations and enquiries, please go to mgallery.com or call +66 53 365 007

About MGALLERY
MGallery is a collection of upscale hotels notable for their personalities, which will appeal to individual travellers seeking distinctive services or looking for a place with more soul.
In the city centre as well as in tourist hotspots, each hotel in the collection offers a distinctive environment in which to fulfil an authentic experience that revolves around a philosophy of pleasure.
A collection of hotels like so many different worlds.
Launched in September 2008 by Accor, it now covers five continents and will grow to over 100 locations by 2015.

Everything you need to know about MGallery hotels can be found at the mgallery.com website.

Journeys Within
CONTACT: Andrea Ross
TEL: 877 454 3672
E-MAIL: andrea@journeys-within.com
WEB: www.journeys-within.com

Journeys Within Tour Company Offers Special Pricing On Southeast Asia Tours
Travelers who book in advance in 2011 will receive special pricing

TRUCKEE, Calif.-Journeys Within, the premier boutique Southeast Asia tour company, recently announced special pricing on their once in a lifetime tours to countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam for 2011.

“Each year, prices for the next high season in Southeast Asia increase in July,” said Andrea Ross, owner of Journeys Within. “This year, because of the increase in travel around the world, we’re expecting higher increases than usual. To avoid these higher prices and to help our guests get a better rate, we are offering our 2010 rates for any travelers that confirm their tours before May.”

In the last year few years there has been a large increase in last minute bookings, travelers taking advantage of last-minute specials as well as waiting to feel more secure in their job before committing to an itinerary. As the economy is on the upswing, travel bookings are predicted to increase in 2011, along with the cost of travel, thus these last minute bookings won’t get the deals, in fact, planning ahead may be where the savings are. To avoid inevitable price jumps that will occur as the demand for travel increases, guests are encouraged to book in advance in order to take advantage of the lower prices of 2010. Booking travel plans early versus waiting until the last minute also ensures seamless travel experiences that include better service and thoughtfully planned itineraries.

Travelers who book a tour with Journeys Within between now and May for travel through December of 2011, will receive the 2010 pricing. For more information, visit www.journeys-within.com